Glymed Plus Beta Gel with 10% Glycolic Acid Versus Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer with Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPterocarpus Santalinus Wood Extract
AstringentTetrasodium EDTA
Squalane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pterocarpus Santalinus Wood Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Yeast Extract, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSqualane 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".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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