Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer - International Versus Aqualogica Illuminate + Hydra Gel Moisturizer
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Aqualogica Illuminate + Hydra Gel Moisturizer 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Aqualogica Illuminate + Hydra Gel Moisturizer 22 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium PCA
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Alpha-Arbutin, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, CI 42090, CI 16035
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 WaterDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Xylitylglucoside 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 AnhydroxylitolXylitol 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 XylitolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer 19 ingredients
Aqualogica Illuminate + Hydra Gel Moisturizer 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer 19 ingredients
It does moisturize, it's light, but it might work for oily skin, not sensitive. My skin broke out. Update #1 my skin barrier is damaged because I've been using retinol and then I used an exfoliation scrub. So, I took a break from my entire routine and started gentle cleansing and using this B5 as a moisturizer. It's been 2 days, and I can see my skin getting better.
Update #2 I use it now as my Show more
Despite mixed reviews, I’m super happy I tried this moisturizer. However, what was more impressive is after I woke up, my skin still felt soft, and a lot of the irritation of the few pimples I have went away over night. It made me understand why some people in skincare community call some products their holy grail. Though it may not work for everyone, I recommend you at least try it once.
