Good Molecules Hydrating Gel Moisturizer With Electrolytes Versus Urban Hydration Bright & Balanced Aloe Vera Leaf Gel Moisturizer
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Chondrus Crispus Extract and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract to calm redness and hydrate skin.
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carrageenan
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Carrageenan, Sea Salt, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Xylitol, Betaine, Inositol, Ectoin, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Citric Acid, Arginine, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gentiana Scabra Extract
HumectantSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Gentiana Scabra Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Allantoin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Mentha Piperita Oil, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
