Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel versus GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ .
Published on February 28, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Ingredient Info
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Glycereth-26 • Betaine • Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate • Isododecane • Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Cetyl Ethylhexanoate • Citric Acid • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ascorbic Acid • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Retinyl Palmitate • Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract • Hamamelis Virginiana Extract • Tocopherol • Isohexadecane • Trehalose • Panthenol • Polysorbate 80 • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Allantoin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Xanthan Gum • Butylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA
Water • Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Glyceryl Distearate • Cetyl Ricinoleate • Trisiloxane • Glyceryl Stearate Se • Cholesterol • Steareth-10 • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Cetyl Esters • Cetyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Tocopheryl Acetate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Algae Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract • Saccharomyces Lysate Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract • Ceramide Ng • Isohexadecane • Synthetic Fluorphlogopite • Sucrose • Polysorbate 80 • Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Caprylyl Glycol • Hexylene Glycol • Citric Acid • Linoleic Acid • Panthenol • Parfum • Limonene • Citral • Linalool • Disodium EDTA • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Sodium Citrate • Phenoxyethanol • CI 77891 • CI 77491 • CI 77492 • CI 77499 • CI 42090 • CI 14700 • CI 17200 • CI 19140
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 14.
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 AcidPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 32.
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 AcetatePixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 10.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 15.
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract comes from the cucumber. Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Vitamin C and Caffeic acid are potent antioxidants that may help with anti-aging. Antioxidants help neutralize free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA.
Cucumbers contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. The amino acids help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle. Our acid mantle is formed from the mixing of sebum and sweat. This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, it is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 19.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 16.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 18.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 21.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 24.
Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.
Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about PanthenolPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 23.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 34.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 24.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 27.
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.
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 26.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 42.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 29.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 29.
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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 30.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 EDTAPixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel contains this as ingredient number 31.
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ contains this as ingredient number 39.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Pixi Beauty pHenomenal Gel 31 ingredients
GLAMGLOW GLOWSTARTER™ 50 ingredients
Highlighting
I received a sample of the Glamglow GLOWSTARTER™ Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in "Nude Glow" and although I was pleased that it was so sheer it had no coverage, it did leave a highlighting shimmer all over my skin. It has...
Highlighting
I received a sample of the Glamglow GLOWSTARTER™ Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in "Nude Glow" and although I was pleased that it was so sheer it had no coverage, it did leave a highlighting shimmer all over my skin. It has a very beachy feel and smells straight up like bubble gum; my two year old was thrilled to smell my face. Went on pleasantly smooth but I did end up adding a moisturizer later on in the day as I felt it didn't last. The shimmer disappeared after a few hours.
Alternatives
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