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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 .

Published on September 18, 2021

Overview

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 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.

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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.

1
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 Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate 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. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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 Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
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 Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 21.

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

14% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
23% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 21 ingredients

Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Heavy (1) Hydrating (1) Oily (1) Sticky (1)
CaroleD's avatar

CaroleD

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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...

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.

SabrinaPorteous_27's avatar

SabrinaPorteous_27

2 years ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Love the feeling and scent, but too harsh for face
I love the light and non-greasy feeling of this sunscreen as well as its scent (like the hydro...

Love the feeling and scent, but too harsh for face
I love the light and non-greasy feeling of this sunscreen as well as its scent (like the hydro boost water gel moisturizer); however, due to having sensitive skin, the formula is too harsh for my face. To keep it from going to waste, I've enjoyed using it as a body sunscreen.

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