Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - UK
Updated on October 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthoxypropanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sarcosine, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Alanine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Threonine
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingSerine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltose
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Alanine, Glycine, Threonine, Thiamine Hcl, Serine, Arginine, Proline, Allantoin, Maltose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructose, Betaine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Urea, Glucose, Trehalose, Sodium Lactate, Glutamic Acid, Synthetic Beeswax, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Chloride, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Parfum, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethiconol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
not too greasy, well under makeup, skin loves it
Great moisturizer for summer
This cream is great for oily skin. I discontinued using this as I needed a more powerful moisturizer to repair my skin's moisture barrier, but I think it will be great in the summer and for those without the same issue with chemically drying their skin's top layer, lol
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
I use it in the morning because it is so light. I like the texture and lightness; even so, the ingredients list is not ideal for rosacea, but it works for me (so far).
I like this gel cream. I love the gel texture that doesn’t feel heavy nor oily on the skin. As someone who lives in a hot and dry environment (Mediterranean), this gel really is a life saver in the summer months! The gel goes smothly on the face and absorbs really fast and well. I have normal to combination skin, and i never feel too oily not dry, but hydrated. As a plus, it goes smoothly under Show more
