Rael Glow Chemistry Advanced Antioxidant Serum Versus Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Acorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Octyldodeceth-16, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Arginine, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pvp, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Fullerenes, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sucrose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sucrose, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trehalose, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
