e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Hydro-gel Moisturizer Versus Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening 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, oils 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 Holy Hydration! Hydro-gel Moisturizer 40 ingredients
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture 47 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Hydro-gel Moisturizer 40 ingredients
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide 3
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide 6 Ii
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide 1
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientXylitol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide 1, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Lecithin, Xylitol, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Geraniol, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucosamine Hcl
Xylitol
HumectantBHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Inositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Phenyl Trimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Isohexadecane, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Glucosamine Hcl, Xylitol, BHT, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Yeast Amino Acids, Betaine, Inositol, Taurine, Trehalose, Magnesium Chloride, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeSodium 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 HyaluronateXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about XylitylglucosideThis ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Xylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Hydro-gel Moisturizer 40 ingredients
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Hydro-gel Moisturizer 40 ingredients
I like but don't love this moisturizer, although I'm on my second bottle. Despite having gel in the name, it's not a gel. It's a light cream moisturizer that feels nice, has some nice anti-aging ingredients, and does what it says on the can. I wish it wasn't scented. I keep using it because I like the airless pump packaging and it's cheap.
