Versus

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturizer Versus Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

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

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, 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 fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

C9-12 Alkane

Solvent

Prunus Domestica Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconOil Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Powder

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polyglutamic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Xylitol

Humectant

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glucose

Humectant

Potassium Phosphate

Buffering

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxypropylcellulose

Emulsifying
1 / 0

Alaria Esculenta Extract

Skin Protecting

Sodium Phosphate

Buffering

Potassium Chloride

May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract

Emollient

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract

Tonic

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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

Acrylates/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.

Masking, Skin Conditioning

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

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

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

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

When to use

108 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
99% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
384 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturizer 20 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (3) Hydrating (3) Light (3)
ariieu's avatar

Ari i

8 months ago
Review

(I have combo skin and clog prone) It's not bad at all at hydrating and it left my skin looking and feeling plump. Not greasy. No breakouts. Overall it isn't THAT hydrating unless paired with a good hydrating serum but I will keep buying it since it's the only easy to access and affordable moisturiser I've tried that doesn't break me tf out and doesn't have oils or alcohols.

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
miao's avatar

mia o

8 months ago
Review

such a good drugstore moisturiser for oily skin. i have oily acne prone skin and this hydrated my skin perfectly without giving me any breakouts!! my skin has been so good since i started using this and i really think its thank to this moisturiser! the only problem i have with it is that it has fragrance which i think is unnecessary in skincare, and that it comes in a pot which can lead to Show more

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream 64 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 7 ratings
Strong Scent (2) Expensive (2) Drying (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

2 years ago
Review

Goodie-filled moisturizer
This cream has a very nice texture, best described as a whipped, leightweight gel. It absorbs quickly, is super moisturizing, doesn't pill, and is filled with goodies - Plum, Alpine Willowherb, Polyglutamic Acid, five molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid, etc. What I personally also like, are the algae extracts (Corallina Officinalis and Alaria Esculenta). The Show more

asav's avatar

asav

2 years ago
Review

Best hydrating morning moisturizer ever. Smells nice, feels good, gentle, everything I could ever want for a morning moisturizer