I’ve been happily using these two almost identical products for a little while now, and I figured it’s finally time I share which one I think is better. They’re both super similar, but have slightly different key ingredients which decide which one is ideal for your skin.
The version of Hydrating Lotion that I have is the light version. As an oily-skinned gal, I wasn’t sure that I needed all the punch of the regular version. Here is the ingredients list straight off the bottle for the Hydration Lotion:
Water, Diproplyene Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium Succinate, Methylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate (Small-Size HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Medium-Size HA), Succinic Acid, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Hyaluronic Acid (Nano HA), Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (Super HA)
So despite only being the light version, it still boasts four different types of hyaluronic acid. Each type is meant to penetrate a specific layer of the skin, boosting hydration. I’m not exactly sure how this works and how they’re able to specify each kind of HA on the ingredients list, I wonder if a cosmetic chemist can explain this? In comparison, here is the ingredients list (again, straight off the bottle) for the Whitening Lotion:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Arbutin, Sorbitol, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Disodium Succinate, Styrene/VP Copolymer, Methylisothiazolinone/Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate/Water, Sodium Hyaluronate (Medium-Size HA) Succinic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hyaluronic Acid (Nano HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Small-Size HA)
Bizarrely, it’s a little bit different from the ingredients list I originally found and posted about in my full review of the Whitening Lotion. I’m more inclined to go with this one as it’s literally on the packaging – in my original review, I had to Google it because I ordered the product straight from Japan. I bought these two in Singapore from Watsons (a pharmacy chain in SE Asia).
Anyway, you can see that while the Whitening Lotion only has three kinds of Hyaluronic Acid, it’s got a few other goodie ingredients like Arbutin and a gentle form of Vitamin C, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. These two are the key whitening ingredients for this lotion, and it’s good to see Arbutin fairly high up in the ingredients list.
Both of them have a thin, watery texture that needs to be patted into the skin for best effect – not swiped on with a cotton pad! The Hydrating Lotion is clear, while the Whitening Lotion is slightly milky. My skin feels pretty much exactly the same after using either of them: hydrated and bouncy. Both would be great additions for anyone looking to add some hydration to their routine!
My advice to anyone choosing between buying either of these two is to evaluate what your skin needs. Is PIH a concern? Just hydration? Or is PIH already taken care of by another product in your routine?
Personally, I would probably repurchase the Whitening Lotion. Even though I do use other products that address PIH, it’s just such a big concern for me that I really want every product in my routine to address that issue.
I hope this comparison has helped some of you decide between the two lotions! What is your favourite hydrating lotion/toner?
Lexie xx
