Dot & Key Skincare Watermelon & Glycolic Face Moisturizer Versus hyphen 2% Cica Exosomes Hydra Barrier Oil-Free Moisturizer
This smoothing moisturizer is formulated around Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSilanetriol
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 45430
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Silanetriol, Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Glycolic Acid, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Parfum, CI 45430, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
HumectantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantTanacetum Vulgare Flower Extract
PerfumingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Zinc PCA, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Tanacetum Vulgare Flower Extract, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water