Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream – What is the difference between Neutrogena Water Gel and Gel Cream

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream – What is the difference between Neutrogena Water Gel and Gel Cream

August 30, 2021

Neutrogena has two moisturizers which look almost identical to each other in their Hydro Boost line. Despite the visual similarities, the water gel and the gel cream are distinctly different products. Both moisturizers are amazing but each suits a particular skin type.

We’ll be looking at the comparative differences between Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Geland Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. Has your skin felt a bit dry recently over the past few weeks? These two contenders of Neutrogena’s most popular facial moisturizer might be able to help.

The Hydro Boost line is trusted by countless beauty professionals, and works with many skin types. Once you’ve taken a closer look, you’ll soon understand why. Let’s explore the difference between Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Creambelow!

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Hi beautiful! Just to let you know, we earn a modest commission off of purchases made through Amazon affiliate links on this page. Don't worry, it's of no extra cost to you. We love the products we recommend in this post, and we hope you do, too! 

  • Hydro Boost Water Gel or Gel Cream: Each Moisturizer Smells Different
  • Hydro Boost Line: Water Gel vs Gel Cream Ingredients
  • About Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
    • Here are the only compounds you’ll find in the Water Gel facial moisturizer that aren’t present in the Gel Cream:
  • About Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
  • What Does This Mean?
  • The Benefits of Both Products
  • Should I Switch Treatments?
  • The Winner – Which Neutrogena Hydro Boost is Best

Hydro Boost Water Gel or Gel Cream: Each Moisturizer Smells Different

The primary difference between the products is the smell.

Neutrogena Water Gel contains fragrance while the Gel Cream is scent-free.

Fragrances are known to trigger a range of allergies and adverse reactions in people with sensitive skin types.

If you’re likely to have an allergic reaction, its best you try the Neutrogena Gel Cream. Since its formula has no known scented ingredients, it shouldn’t aggravate your really sensitive skin or cause any issues usually associated with this skin type.

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Hydro Boost Line: Water Gel vs Gel Cream Ingredients

Both products are made up of very similar ingredients, containing a formulation which is designed to deeply hydrate and firm skin. They also don’t have any outright allergic reactions from sensitive skin types, and they’re good for oily skin types as well. Nonetheless, there are slight differences between the two. Both products use a distinctly different approach to hydration.

There are compounds unique to each type of treatment.

About Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Learn more on Amazon

Here are the only compounds you’ll find in the Water Gel facial moisturizer that aren’t present in the Gel Cream:

C13-14 Hyaluronate – Hyaluronic acid, a compound similar to the fluids surrounding the joints of the body. Hyaluronic acid gives our skin a cushioning effect while hydrating deeply and promoting the production of collagen which firms and smooths the skin and the skin’s surface. This hydrator found naturally in your skin, tissues, and eyes, retains water.

Fragrance – Known to trigger allergens, especially if you have sensitive skin

Blue 1 Dye – Slight chance to trigger allergens but might be increased depending on your sensitive skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel on Amazon

About Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Learn more on Amazon

Components in the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream that aren’t present in the Water Gel:

Synthetic Beeswax – Synthetically produced beeswax thickens the oils within the cream and prevents separation

C13-14 Isoparaffin – Isoparaffin acts as an emollient and thickening agent adding to the gel-like attributes of this cream

Dimethicone Crosspolymer – Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a thickening agent and is derived from silicone, silicone derivatives are known to cause problems for people who have acne-prone and oily skin

Chlorphenesin – Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative which is used to protect against bacterial contamination

Laureth-7 – A natural fatty acid acting as a surfactant and emulsifier

Carbomer – A stability agent, no irritants or allergens

Sodium Hyaluronate – Hyaluronic salts (or sodium hyaluronate) work in a similar way to hyaluronic acid but instead they help your body retain water so that your skin keeps its firmness and elasticity. This is also how it keeps skin hydrated. Sodium hyaluronate helps restore skin’s natural barrier by keeping it moisture-locked and skin feels extremely nourished.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream on Amazon

What Does This Mean?

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream have been designed to cater to different skin types.

The hydration and support of the gel cream is far superior to that of the water gel. The water gel’s composition contains no other fortifying agents other than hyaluronic acid itself to keep skin hydrated. The gel cream is full of compounds which nourish dryer skin while helping it heal back to optimal health. Its composition far better attracts moisture for long lasting moisturizing power, combating intense dryness.

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Sodium Hyaluronate is extremely water soluble and can reach up to 1000 times its density as soon as it encounters moisture. This also means that it penetrates the deepest levels of your skin much easier than the acid included in Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream on Amazon

The Benefits of Both Products

Both products will plump up your skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Both products are also oil free moisturizers that offer intense moisturizing power that won’t clog pores. You can apply both to either dry or wet skin.

However, if you want the best long term treatment which has no chance of causing any skin irritation or developing allergic reactions, then the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is your best bet. Regular use will also increase collagen production. This is the option more suitable to dryer skin.

Hyaluronic treatments also have profound antioxidant properties which help slow the process of aging. These treatments can help with fine lines and wrinkles. The extra chemical compounds in the gel cream help the hyaluronic salts absorb. The process of absorbing hyaluronic acid is not easy, and while exact studies on the efficacy of this product are not available, it should be clear that any help towards absorption is a good thing.

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Should I Switch Treatments?

If you are currently using Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Geland are not noticing any dryness or irritation then you can safely continue to use this product. After all, its formula doesn’t contain skin and eye irritant ingredients. Hopefully it also doesn’t do anything bad for your skin, such as clog pores or cause even more extra dry skin. However, symptoms such as cracks and poor sebum production will only manifest after extended use.

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel on Amazon

Neutrogena has a fantastic reputation for high quality products which are as safe as they are effective. But if you want to guarantee that you’ll never see any adverse effects, then invest in their fantastic gel cream. If any dryness manifests, you are having an adverse reaction to the hyaluronic component.

If you prefer the feel of the water gel, then see if a cosmetic professional will let you do a patch test before buying to ensure no redness or irritation occurs.

The Winner – Which Neutrogena Hydro Boost is Best

Both products from Neutrogena are great for dry skin, extra dry skin, or aging skin and will help support the good health of all skin types but there is an option which we have clearly established to be safer. In the Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream debate, we do have a winner for its performance on the skin’s surface.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is the winner and one of the best solutions for hydrating and firming skin. If you have severely, extra dry skin, this is your best bet. Use it before you put on your primer and foundation, for a youthful complexion free from fine lines and wrinkles.

Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream vs water gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream on Amazon

RELATED: What Moisturizer Should I Use with Retin A?

What’s your verdict? Do both Hydro Boost Moisturizers provide you with intense hydration?

Neutrogena is a brand well-loved by dermatologists, with skincare that can cater to even very sensitive skin. Do you have extra dry skin or sensitive skin? Does this product work well for you? Which is your pick in the Hydro boost water gel vs gel cream debate?

What other Neutrogena products do you love that are in your beauty routine?

We’d love to know in the comments below!

Meanwhile, check out more posts on the blog:

  • Best Under Eye Primers for Wrinkles

What is the difference between water gel and gel cream?

Key Difference #1: The Water Gel Contains Fragrance, The Gel-Cream Doesn't. The water gel and the gel-cream might feel the same, cost the same, and have the same container. But, they sure-as-heck don't smell the same. The simple fact is that the water gel contains fragrance, while the gel-cream is fragrance-free.

Can I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water gel as a moisturizer?

This award-winning formula with Hyaluronic Acid absorbs quickly like a gel but has the lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. Clinically proven to help strengthen skin's moisture barrier. Oil-free, non-comedogenic formula won't clog pores. Wear it alone or under makeup as a moisturizer.

Which Hydroboost product is best?

Top-rated and repeatedly dermatologist-recommended, Neutrogena's Hydro Boost moisturizer is considered a holy grail item by many. Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this water-based gel may be especially appealing to people with oily or acne-prone skin, as it provides long-lasting hydration without making skin feel slick.

Which hydrating gel is best?

Here are the top 5 gel-based moisturizers that are available in India that are worth trying..
Neutrogena Hydro Boost. BUY NOW - INR 1000/- ... .
Pond's Super Light Gel Face Moisturizer. BUY NOW - INR 309/- ... .
Good Vibes Cucumber Moisturizing Gel. ... .
Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel. ... .
Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Whitening Gel Creme..