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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 .

Last updated on January 01, 2024. Published on July 17, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Sun SPF 50 Light Gel

Shop

Buy Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50

Starts at $10.98

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
50
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
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

30% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
23% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
27% 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 Sun SPF 50 Light Gel 23 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Heavy (1) Hydrating (1) Oily (1) Sticky (1)
CaroleD's avatar

CaroleD

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

If you have oily skin, do not use!

It is super greasy and it feels impossible to apply enough without ending up like a disco ball.

It...

If you have oily skin, do not use!

It is super greasy and it feels impossible to apply enough without ending up like a disco ball.

It somehow always ends up in my eyes and burns like mad.

If you have dry skin, you may find it very hydrating.

SabrinaPorteous_27's avatar

SabrinaPorteous_27

2 years ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Love the feeling and scent, but too harsh for face
I love the light and non-greasy feeling of this sunscreen as well as its scent (like the hydro...

Love the feeling and scent, but too harsh for face
I love the light and non-greasy feeling of this sunscreen as well as its scent (like the hydro boost water gel moisturizer); however, due to having sensitive skin, the formula is too harsh for my face. To keep it from going to waste, I've enjoyed using it as a body sunscreen.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Light Gel.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 36 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50.

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