Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum Versus Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum
Updated on July 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
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 Hydrating Serum 30 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 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
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum 30 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Isododecane
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Lactate
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Bisabolol
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isododecane, Dimethiconol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Cetearyl Olivate, Bisabolol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium PCA, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Proline, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
EmollientHexyldecanol
EmollientHexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlobularia Alypum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Distarch Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum 30 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
