Versus

Dr.Belmeur Clarifying Balancing Water Cream Versus Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on November 05, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Humectant, Moisturising

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.

In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.

Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.

Learn more about Trehalose
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

When to use

23 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
91% use every day
264 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr.Belmeur Clarifying Balancing Water Cream 18 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Light (2) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1)
loolipoola's avatar

paula

8 months ago
Review

Simple and light but still moisturizing. Good for humid weather as well. One of few moisturizers that don't break me out, very underrated!

#hydrating
#light
#works well
meg10's avatar

Meg

9 days ago
Review

Recovered from fungal acne, but wanting to keep products as soothing as possible. This is my base layer, which I apply in two very thin coats; then I apply a baby Vanicream cream in areas where I wish to have thicker moisturization, namely around my eyes and mouth. My skin is doing fine with this routine - it’s not perfect, but is adequate - and it was a Godsend to find this particular Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 14 ratings
Sticky (5) No Scent (4) Hydrating (4)
SaraCarson's avatar

SaraCarson

1 year ago
Review

It's nice going on and provides decent moisture however it is still tacky 20 minutes later. I've used it a few times now but I'll be returning it to Ulta. It could be a nice slightly tacky base for makeup but I have a primer for that.

#expensive
#sticky
#no scent
Azibeth's avatar

Azibeth

1 year ago
Review

I really do love this product. I suppose that’s a given as I keep repurchasing it. Lightweight, absorbs well, and the gel formulation is cool so non-comedogenic as well. Has both niacidamide and hyaluronic acid, and I know it won’t ever break me out or react badly with my other products. Won’t do much for you if you have dry skin though. I also wouldn’t use it right before applying a powder or Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well