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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US .

Last updated on January 31, 2024. Published on April 23, 2021

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils 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 need an update? Let us know.

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15

Starts at $14.97
Shop

Buy Hydro Boost Gel Crème

Starts at $19.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 6.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Emollient, Moisturising
Community Rating: Disliked

Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

11% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
74% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
68% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 27 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 reviews
sylvia's Avatar'
Sep 6, 2022

greasy on oily skin & create a slight burning on my face when applying
rlly greasy when applying it on my face and feels sticky when putting on my mask and also i can feel a slight burn when using it on my face

greasy on oily skin & create a slight burning on my face when applying
rlly greasy when applying it on my face and feels sticky when putting on my mask and also i can feel a slight burn when using it on my face

AlexBoeckmann_363's Avatar'
Aug 22, 2023

cleared some of my keratosis pilaris on my face

cleared some of my keratosis pilaris on my face

alexandragporter's Avatar'
Sep 27, 2023

non-commedogenic but like actually... not just a claim lol and its so light and not greasy...honestly delicious

non-commedogenic but like actually... not just a claim lol and its so light and not greasy...honestly delicious

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème 19 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 0 reviews
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 11, 2023

Can't always follow what's viral...
Olive oil and dimethicone are a bad combination for me. This has such a cult following but my skin reacted immediately after first use. It's been a while since I’ve used it, so I apologize for the...

Can't always follow what's viral...
Olive oil and dimethicone are a bad combination for me. This has such a cult following but my skin reacted immediately after first use. It's been a while since I’ve used it, so I apologize for the ambiguity of this review. I don’t remember the actual way it made me react, whether it was red contact dermatitis or blackheads. I just know it went into my ‘never put on my face’ container.

When products like these don’t work out for me, I typically end up repurposing them. I used this on my décolletage. It didn’t go to waste!

Region: US
nattalen's Avatar'
Jun 26, 2023

Simple ingredients, doesn't irritate my skin, plump's, doesn't clog pores, soothes inflamed skin

Simple ingredients, doesn't irritate my skin, plump's, doesn't clog pores, soothes inflamed skin

Region: US
GraciaContreras_167's Avatar'
Nov 1, 2023

it always makes my skin feel relief when i feel it kind of dry or in need of humectation

it always makes my skin feel relief when i feel it kind of dry or in need of humectation

Region: US

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US.

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