Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US versus Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel .
Last updated on January 10, 2024. Published on April 03, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Water • Isohexadecane • Stearyl Heptanoate • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Isopropyl Isostearate • Niacinamide • Cetearyl Olivate • Trehalose • Squalane • Dimethicone • Stearic Acid • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Silica • Sodium Hyaluronate • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Panthenol • Sorbitan Olivate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Polyethylene • Disodium EDTA • Polyacrylate-13 • Polyisobutene • Polysorbate 20 • Caprylyl Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Carbomer
Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Propanediol • Panthenol • Niacinamide • Octyldodecanol • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Xylitylglucoside • Anhydroxylitol • Allantoin • Distarch Phosphate • Hydroxyacetophenone • Xanthan Gum • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • 1,2-Hexanediol • Trehalose • Urea • Xylitol • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Polyglutamic Acid • Pentylene Glycol • Serine • Sodium Hydroxide • Pantolactone • Algin • Disodium Phosphate • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • Pullulan • Sodium Hyaluronate • Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract • Citric Acid • Potassium Phosphate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Watere.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 1.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 Glycerine.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 4.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about Niacinamidee.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 7.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about Trehalosee.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 9.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 US contains this as ingredient number 11.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 Hyaluronatee.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 16.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 31.
Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.
Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about Panthenole.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 19.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 Glycole.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US contains this as ingredient number 29.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 16.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream 32 ingredients
Aybab_207
You‘ll get pimples if you have oily- combo skin
Every time when I used this, I got pimples the other day. Fragrance ist too strong and doesn’t...
You‘ll get pimples if you have oily- combo skin
Every time when I used this, I got pimples the other day. Fragrance ist too strong and doesn’t hydrate much. I don’t recommend it.
YiShin
Did nothing for my skin (I have combo acne). It pills and does not help my acne or hydration. It lasts a long time for such a cheap price though....
Did nothing for my skin (I have combo acne). It pills and does not help my acne or hydration. It lasts a long time for such a cheap price though. Would NOT recommend or repurchase. The ingredients on skinsort show that the formula isn’t very good either.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Azibeth
I really do love this product. I suppose that’s a given as I keep repurchasing it. Lightweight, absorbs well, and the gel formulation is cool so...
I really do love this product. I suppose that’s a given as I keep repurchasing it. Lightweight, absorbs well, and the gel formulation is cool so non-comedogenic as well. Has both niacidamide and hyaluronic acid, and I know it won’t ever break me out or react badly with my other products. Won’t do much for you if you have dry skin though. I also wouldn’t use it right before applying a powder or mineral based makeup. Probably a knock off of some more expensive gel moisturizer out there but for something I found at cvs, it’s won me over.
SaraCarson
It's nice going on and provides decent moisture however it is still tacky 20 minutes later. I've used it a few times now but I'll be returning it...
It's nice going on and provides decent moisture however it is still tacky 20 minutes later. I've used it a few times now but I'll be returning it to Ulta. It could be a nice slightly tacky base for makeup but I have a primer for that.
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream US.
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