e.l.f. cosmetics Daily Hydration Moisturizer Versus Dermalogica Active Moist
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
e.l.f. cosmetics Daily Hydration Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Daily Hydration Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDisodium EDTA
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Propanediol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Myristic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Daily Hydration Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Active Moist 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Daily Hydration Moisturizer 31 ingredients
Low cost, smells nice, went from not using a moisturizer and did improve my skin, it does feel a little low quality after learning more, like chemically, not as soothing
It is hydrating but it also feels very thick. If you do use it I would definitely only recommend it for your night time routine, not in the morning. This may work for very dry skin, but at least for myself ( I have combination skin btw) my skin will feel greasy until I wash my face again.
