Skinfood Royal Honey 100 Hour Moisturizing Cream Versus COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Honey Extract to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This hydrating overnight mask is formulated around Propolis Extract and Allantoin to hydrate skin and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Betaine, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Beta-Glucan, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Carbomer, Carbomer, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCarbomer 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 Glycerin
