Versus

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - US Versus Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
American Brand United States
Hungarian Brand Hungary

Updated on October 29, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

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 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

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, 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
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin
Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.

In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.

Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.

Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.

Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.

Learn more about Glucose
Skin Conditioning

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.

When to use

2,427 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
521 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 34 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 35 ratings
Light (13) Absorbs Well (10) Strong Scent (9)
bvechiato's avatar

bvechiato

2 years ago
Review

Burnssssss
Broke me out, made me really really itchy

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352

2 years ago
Review

Overrated moisturizer and it's expensive
I've used three tubs of this and my skin has gotten worse. The first two I noticed my skin gotten oilier than usual, but I want to trust the process like any other people. But I got a breakout on my third tub so I switched to other products and my skin has gotten so much better. This is definitely not for oily skin that needs sebum control..

Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station 19 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 28 ratings
Hydrating (13) No Scent (11) Light (11)
Nikko's avatar

Nikko Russano

9 months ago
Review

I was so excited to try this because it looked like a really moisturizing FA safe moisturizer which is so hard to find. Unfortunately, this broke me out with little closed comedones and tiny pimples after just a week of use.

#broke me out
Lyd__4361's avatar

Lyd__4361

1 year ago
Review

Nice but gonna try other moisturisers instead
First FA safe moisturiser I’ve used. Had high hopes and expected this to become my holy grail but I find it pretty average. Always like a gel texture but sometimes when I use this on my face I find it looks like my face is still wet or it hasn’t absorbed fully so I end up going over to rub it in cuz it’s feels a tad sticky. Which i do find a bit Show more