Versus

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel - UK

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on November 14, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Buffering

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
Buffering, Masking

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 Acid

When to use

493 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
477 Routines
40% use in am
60% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser 18 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (2) Drying (2) Great Value (2)
USAFGal09's avatar

USAFGal09

2 years ago
Review

Super Nice...
This is a good cleanser as a 2nd step in double cleansing. I use it in the evenings to ensure all my makeup is removed. It does not strip my skin and doesn't irritate it either. There are others I prefer, but this is one of my favorites from the drugstore.

laila.21's avatar

Laila

1 month ago
Review

Absolutely love everything about this cleanser!
It’s basic with HA but feels hydrating, doesn’t dry my skin and even removes makeup without needing any double cleansing.
I will stick to this one since it does the job perfectly and I don’t like cleansers with actives as i have to be more careful with what products to use after them.
100/10

#great value
#hydrating
#light scent
#works well

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel 18 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (5) Drying (4) Irritating (4)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

Completely destroyed my skin barrier! I have combination but mostly oily/acne-prone skin, so I normally don't mind products being a little bit on the strong side in order to get rid of all the oil my skin can produce during the day. But this was way too much. It has mint on it, which can be refreshing for the oily areas, but in the normal/sensitive areas is way too harsh, in fact it caused an Show more

#great value
#drying
#irritating
#light scent
specialuniquesnowflake's avatar
Review

This is my staple basic cleanser - big bottle for a few bucks, lasts for ~7 months (the 400ml bottle). Tiny drop is enough to clean the whole face, nice and foamy. Neutral smell. Gentle and effective ingredients. Probably won't clear your acne alone, but it's definitely a nice addition to the routine if you're looking for something simple.

#great value
#light
#light scent
#works well