Versus

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Gel-Yeah Moisturizer

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on May 24, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

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

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
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 
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.

Disodium 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 EDTA
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
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

When to use

337 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
108 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
99% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer 24 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Broke Me Out (3) Hydrating (2) Light Scent (2)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

Beware ace-prone people! This thing broke me out like hell. At first I thought It was perfect for my skin type, due to its gel consistency and how lightweight it was. But it turned out breaking me out in very painful cysts not only in my T-zone (where I usually get them), but also on my cheeks. I suppose other people with dry skin might benefit from this moisturizer, but then, I don't get the idea Show more

#hydrating
#broke me out
#light
#light scent
spacepink's avatar

spacepink

12 months ago
Review

For one, Laneige keeps changing the ingredients in this product without notice - which is just super annoying for those of us with sensitive skin. While their original formula seemed to work ok (still some irritation but overall hydrating), the current formula makes my skin feel tight and causes next day breakouts. Also made my redness worse. To top it off, this product is STICKY and never sets

#broke me out
#irritating
#sticky

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