Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 - US Versus Neutrogena Bright Boost Moisturizer with SPF 30
Updated on July 15, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants 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 Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
Neutrogena Bright Boost Moisturizer with SPF 30 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
Neutrogena Bright Boost Moisturizer with SPF 30 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polyurethane-62
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBasic Violet 2
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Polyurethane-62, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Menthyl Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-6, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Basic Violet 2, Blue 1 Lake
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyurethane-62
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Silica, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Polyurethane-62, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-6, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinCaprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.
It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.
Diisopropyl Adipate comes from isopropyl alcohol and Adipic Acid.
It is a solvent and emollient. As a solvent, it is used to help other ingredients dissolve into the solution. It is also often used to soften hard ingredients.
Emollients help hydrate the skin by creating a thin barrier. This thin barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Diisopropyl AdipateSilica 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 SilicaDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeWe don't have a description for Polyurethane-62 yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer yet.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It 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.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateDisodium 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 EDTAWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
Neutrogena Bright Boost Moisturizer with SPF 30 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
If you have oily skin, do not use!
It is super greasy and it feels impossible to apply enough without ending up like a disco ball.
It somehow always ends up in my eyes and burns like mad.
If you have dry skin, you may find it very hydrating.
As with most other Hydro Boost products, this is hydrating with a lovely light scent and pleasant gel consistency, plus the added benefit of leaving no cast at all. However, if it gets anywhere even remotely close to the eyes (and I mean remotely), said eyes will burn and sting until kingdom come.
