L'Occitane Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel Versus Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer With Multi-Action Super Lotus
This day moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin.
This anti-aging day moisturizer is formulated around Tocopherol and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Anhydroxylitol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Xylitol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAverrhoa Carambola Leaf Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Betaine, Steareth-21, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Silica, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Lauroyl Lysine, Adenosine, Glucose, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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