Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK versus Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel .
Last updated on October 29, 2023. Published on November 11, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Alanine • Glycine • Threonine • Cysteine Hcl • Serine • Arginine • Proline • Allantoin • Maltose • Ethylhexylglycerin • Caprylyl Glycol • Dimethiconol • Pentylene Glycol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Fructose • Betaine • PCA • Sodium PCA • Urea • Glucose • Trehalose • Sodium Lactate • Glutamic Acid • Synthetic Beeswax • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Sodium Chloride • T-Butyl Alcohol • Citric Acid • Sodium Hydroxide • Tocopherol • Parfum • CI 42090
Water • Dimethicone • Cyclopentasiloxane • Glycerin • Propylene Glycol • Cyclohexasiloxane • Betaine • Camellia Sinensis Extract • Algae Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Sodium PCA • Proline • Arginine • Glycine • Alanine • Lysine • Glutamic Acid • Serine • Threonine • Sorbitol • Butylene Glycol • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • C13-14 Isoparaffin • Polyacrylamide • Peg-12 • Carbomer • Laureth-7 • Disodium EDTA • Benzophenone-4 • Triethanolamine • Phenoxyethanol • Methylparaben • DMDM Hydantoin • Basic Violet 2 • Curry Red
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 1.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 2.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 3.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body.
Alanine has antioxidant properties and can help with anti-aging.
Alanine is used by fibrous proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin. These three help make a strong skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more plump and youthful skin.
Learn more about AlanineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 6.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.
Glycine is an amino acid that helps build proteins. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.
Glycine helps keep skin hydrated and reduce signs of aging. Amino acids help transport moisture throughout our skin; glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized.
As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed Glycine may help our skin produce more collagen. Collagen helps keep skin plump and firm.
Learn more about GlycineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 7.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 14.
Threonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Threonine is vital for creating collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin support youthful and firm skin. Our bodies decrease collagen production naturally with age.
Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
Learn more about ThreonineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 8.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 19.
Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.
Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.
Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.
Learn more about SerineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 10.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 11.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.
Proline is one of the building blocks for producing collagen. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen helps the skin look plump and firm.
In medicine, proline is used as an osmoprotectant. This means it helps prevent oxidative degradation in other drugs.
Our bodies are able to produce proline naturally, but certain conditions may inhibit this production. In that case, proline can be obtained from eating egg whites, soy protein, dairy products, asparagus, mushrooms, and seaweed.
Learn more about ProlineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 12.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.
Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 21.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 7.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCANeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 23.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.
Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidNeutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel UK contains this as ingredient number 28.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel contains this as ingredient number 17.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 38 ingredients
Glowy_nes
I like this gel cream. I love the gel texture that doesn’t feel heavy nor oily on the skin. As someone who lives in a hot and dry environment...
I like this gel cream. I love the gel texture that doesn’t feel heavy nor oily on the skin. As someone who lives in a hot and dry environment (Mediterranean), this gel really is a life saver in the summer months! The gel goes smothly on the face and absorbs really fast and well. I have normal to combination skin, and i never feel too oily not dry, but hydrated. As a plus, it goes smoothly under make up, either its a foundation, a concealer ou even a powder based product, like a blush.
HOWEVER, i do not rate this gel cream with five stars, as i dont feel it is hydrating enough on its own nor in the colder months, as you might feel the need to add something heavier to your routine, specially if you have dry skin. As my summer routine includes an essence and a hydrating sunscream, i feel this is enough, but keep in mind your skin type/environment and need for hydration.
Also, it does have a veeeery faint fragrance, which i dont mind (and it does smell good).
Overall, good cream for summer, with a light texture that might not be hydrating enough. It does not do much for skin concerns, as someone said here.
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel 36 ingredients
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