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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 .

Last updated on October 23, 2023. Published on July 26, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances 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 The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid

Starts at $28.75
Shop

Buy Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30

Starts at $6.99

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
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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

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

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

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 55.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 44.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 23.

4
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 46.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 47.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 14.

6
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.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 48.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 21.

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

20% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
25% 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

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 56 ingredients

The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30 32 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Brittskye157's avatar

Brittskye157

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Does it’s job
I think this is nothing complicated, does it’s job it’s lightweight, slippery, a little bit of a shine once dries down a little, it...

Does it’s job
I think this is nothing complicated, does it’s job it’s lightweight, slippery, a little bit of a shine once dries down a little, it doesn’t pill and my make up goes on top easily. Great product

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