Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel SPF 25 Versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30
Overview
What they are
These products are both day moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, SPF 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 fragrances and 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
Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel SPF 25 21 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel SPF 25 21 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue 1 Lake, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 42090, Dextrin Palmitate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneWater. 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
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 ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel SPF 25 21 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel SPF 25 21 ingredients
just as moisturizing as the water gel, but a little heavier because of the spf. I wish it was lighter but it's pretty good compared to any other spf ive tried
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 AquaGel SPF30 25 ingredients
So expensive for a product which has alcohol in it..
I have a combination skin and it made my forehead so oily that I had to stop using it after 2 weeks.
