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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator versus Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 21, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 3 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, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates

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 American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator

Starts at $13.69
Shop

Buy Daily Facial Moisturizer

Starts at $12.97

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
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (7)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (6)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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 Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator contains this as ingredient number 1.

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 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 Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator contains this as ingredient number 3.

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator contains this as ingredient number 5.

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

31% are loved or liked
23% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
68% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
11% are disliked or very disliked
11% 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 Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator 13 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 review
akberry's Avatar'
Feb 1, 2024

Good for my hands, not for my face. Doesn't worsen hormonal acne but clogs my pores and give me little superficial pimples.

Good for my hands, not for my face. Doesn't worsen hormonal acne but clogs my pores and give me little superficial pimples.

Great Value
Broke Me Out
Absorbs Well

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 19 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 18 reviews
sword's Avatar'
Dec 20, 2023

Extremely calming + supports skin barrier + non-comedogenic!
This is my absolute favorite moisturizer. It's a light, lotion type moisturizer that absorbs very well, and should work well for all skin types. It has glycerin...

Extremely calming + supports skin barrier + non-comedogenic!
This is my absolute favorite moisturizer. It's a light, lotion type moisturizer that absorbs very well, and should work well for all skin types. It has glycerin (moisturizing), squalane (anti-inflammatory, hydrating), hyaluronic acid (hydrating), and 5 ceramides (skin barrier boosting/repairing + calming). It doesn't have a sticky or oily finish and it layers very well with other products.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well
SpikedMatcha316's Avatar'
Aug 9, 2023

Best lightweight every face cream
This product is perfect for my dry combo skin. It's scentless and lightweight and makes my face feels hydrated. Perfect for everyday use.

Best lightweight every face cream
This product is perfect for my dry combo skin. It's scentless and lightweight and makes my face feels hydrated. Perfect for everyday use.

CELINEGAUBET_683's Avatar'
May 8, 2023

Contains ceramides but lightweight and non comedogenic

Contains ceramides but lightweight and non comedogenic

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer.

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