Q + A Vitamin C Face Cream Versus Sukin Aquaboost 3D Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Cream
Updated on April 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 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, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Q + A Vitamin C Face Cream 33 ingredients
Sukin Aquaboost 3D Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Cream 38 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Q + A Vitamin C Face Cream 33 ingredients
Sukin Aquaboost 3D Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Cream 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Volcanic Soil
Skin Conditioning
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAmylopectin
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Volcanic Soil, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Amylopectin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Gluconate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Anisate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantErythritol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide Ng, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Triolein, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Erythritol, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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