Neutrogena Hydro Boost is a two-part skincare product that includes a serum and a gel. The brand claims that this duo can provide a “hydrated, healthy glow” and that it “replenishes and smooths skin.”
But does Neutrogena Hydro Boost contain ingredients proven to moisturize skin? Does the brand use any unhealthy ingredients? Is the Serum or Gel-Cream version better-formulated? And is Neutrogena Hydro Boost better or worse than other popular moisturizers like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Neutrogena Hydro Boost to give our take on whether or not the two-part system is likely to be effective for hydrating skin, and whether or not it's healthy.
We’ll also share our thoughts about which version is healthier, and compare Neutrogena Hydro Boost to other popular moisturizers to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Serum contains two preservatives we consider potentially unhealthy
- Gel-Cream contains effective ingredients and no unhealthy preservatives
- We currently recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
Ingredient Analysis – Serum
The ingredients in Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum are shown below:
This serum contains a number of research-backed ingredients for hydration and even anti-aging effects.
Hyaluronic acid, from which the product gets its name, was shown in a 2018 medical review to improve the body’s own production of collagen, to hydrate the skin and to have “remarkable anti-wrinkle” effects.
Yeast extract was shown to relieve itch and soothe irritated skin in a clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, and was shown to have a “positive effect on facial skin health” in a 2023 clinical trial.
Panthenol is a B-vitamin that’s clinically shown to improve skin hydration as we documented in our The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid review article on another cosmetic product containing this ingredient.
Xylitol can improve skin barrier function and reduce levels of pathogenic bacteria when applied to skin, according to a medical review published in the Nutrients journal.
While there are a number of research-backed ingredients in this serum, there are also two inactive ingredients that may be questionable from a health perspective.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative that was shown to be toxic to human cells in a 2020 clinical trial.
Phenoxyethanol is another synthetic preservative shown to be toxic to human cells in the same trial.
The above-linked trial is a test tube study, so it’s a weaker standard of evidence than a trial with human participants.
Overall, we consider Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost serum likely to improve skin hydration, improve skin barrier function, and reduce the visible appearance of wrinkles due to its many effective active ingredients.
We don’t currently recommend this product due to the inclusion of the two preservatives referenced above.
Ingredient Analysis – Gel-Cream
The ingredients in Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream are shown below:
Like the serum, it does contain some research-backed ingredients.
Sodium hyaluronate was already demonstrated to be effective in the previous Ingredient Analysis section.
Beeswax is clinically shown to have antimicrobial activity, which suggests it may be effective at reducing pathogenic bacteria levels and breakouts, although most of the studies we can find on this ingredient involve naturally-derived beeswax which may be different from the “synthetic beeswax” in this gel.
Glycerin is clinically shown to improve skin moisture content, as we documented in our review of Good Molecules.
Neutrogena has significantly improved the healthiness of this formulation since our initial publication of this review, replacing two preservatives we consider potentially unhealthy (chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol) with one preservative we consider inert.
We currently recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream.
Hydro Boost vs. Popular Moisturizers
Here's how Neutrogena Hydro Boost compares to other popular moisturizer brands in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Contains a preservative combination which is clinically shown to have synergistically toxic effects.
Both Neutrogena Hydro Boost formulations we reviewed are healthier.
Winner: Neutrogena Hydro Boost
Beef Tallow Moisturizer
Moisturizer made entirely from beef tallow contains chemical compounds like Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which are clinically shown to enhance skin moisture, as we documented in our beef tallow moisturizer benefits article.
However, we await more human studies to come out on this type of cosmetic, and it's subject to rancidity if not stored and transported under proper environmental conditions.
Winner: Neutrogena Hydro Boost
Bubble Moisturizer
Contains one inactive ingredient we consider to be unhealthy.
Healthier formulation than Neutrogena Hydro Boost Serum, and less healthy formulation than Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream.
We consider potential efficacy to be equivalent.
Winner: Tie
Our Clean Skincare Pick
MindBodyGreen Best Skin+ is our top anti-aging skin supplement.
It contains orange extract which is clinically shown to increase skin moisturization, skin elasticity and skin radiance.
This supplement also contains astaxanthin which is clinically shown to cause "wrinkle formation reduction."
This supplement is free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Serum formulation is one of the best serums we’ve reviewed
- Both products should improve skin hydration
- Fragrance-free
- Dye-free
- Relatively affordable
- Very favorable customer reviews
- Gel-Cream formulation is substantially improved
Cons:
- Contains two synthetic preservatives
- No mention of clinical testing
- Brand website charges for shipping
