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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 versus Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 .

Published on November 16, 2021

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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Buy Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30

Shop

Buy Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30

Starts at $24.06

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
30
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 30.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 28.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 20.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 22.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.

7
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 25.

8
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 27.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 20.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 28.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 19.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

31% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
22% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
66% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet

Usage

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 32 ingredients

Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 hasn't been rated yet.
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Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer SPF 30 32 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 review
szabo_k's Avatar'
Mar 25, 2021

Maybe works for some people
It's not the worst cream out there but using a retinol in day product is very strange to me because it get weaker in the sun. Also homosalate is proven to enter our bloodstream and might be toxic. also it has...

Maybe works for some people
It's not the worst cream out there but using a retinol in day product is very strange to me because it get weaker in the sun. Also homosalate is proven to enter our bloodstream and might be toxic. also it has fragrance which I don't like. If you have Eczema do not try this.

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