Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free Versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on December 13, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

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

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

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free

Starts at $17.06

Shop

Buy 10% Niacinamide Booster

Starts at $49.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free 14 ingredients

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free 14 ingredients

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (5)

Reduces Irritation (4)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (4)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free 14 ingredients

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 25 ingredients

Water • Niacinamide • Glycerin • Acetyl Glucosamine • Pentylene Glycol • Dimethicone • Phenoxyethanol • Carbomer • Disodium EDTA • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Hydroxide • Ethylhexylglycerin • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Amodimethicone

Water • Niacinamide • Acetyl Glucosamine • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Butylene Glycol • Phospholipids • Sodium Hyaluronate • Allantoin • Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract • Glycerin • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Ubiquinone • Epigallocatechin Gallate • Beta-Glucan • Panthenol • Carnosine • Genistein • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Hydroxide • Xanthan Gum • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol

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.

Water

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

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 2.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 10.

Acetyl Glucosamine

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is a form of Vitamin C.

Acetyl Glucosamine helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration.

Antioxidants help fight off free-radicals, molecules that may damage skin cells.

When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Acetyl Glucosamine

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 3.

Phenoxyethanol

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.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 25.

Disodium EDTA

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

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 9.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 23.

Sodium Hyaluronate

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

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 Hyaluronate

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 10.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 7.

Sodium Hydroxide

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 21.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum, Fragrance Free contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster contains this as ingredient number 24.

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