Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream versus SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream .

Published on March 27, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream

Starts at $62.00
Shop

Buy Hydration Boosting Cream

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides (5)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (11)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (10)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (3)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 36.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 48.

4
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 42.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.

8
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream contains this as ingredient number 47.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

31% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
28% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science Hydration Boosting Cream.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...