Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pond's Hydra Active Gel versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US .

Last updated on January 31, 2024. Published on December 07, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 5 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, oils, parabens 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 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 Hydra Active Gel

Shop

Buy Hydro Boost Gel Crème

Starts at $19.99

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

Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

Pond's Hydra Active Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Pond's Hydra Active Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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

Pond's Hydra Active Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
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.

Pond's Hydra Active Gel contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Pond's Hydra Active Gel contains this as ingredient number 20.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US contains this as ingredient number 17.

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

25% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
16% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
68% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Pond's Hydra Active Gel 24 ingredients

Hydra Active Gel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème 19 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 0 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

6 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Can't always follow what's viral...
Olive oil and dimethicone are a bad combination for me. This has such a cult following but my skin reacted...

Can't always follow what's viral...
Olive oil and dimethicone are a bad combination for me. This has such a cult following but my skin reacted immediately after first use. It's been a while since I’ve used it, so I apologize for the ambiguity of this review. I don’t remember the actual way it made me react, whether it was red contact dermatitis or blackheads. I just know it went into my ‘never put on my face’ container.

When products like these don’t work out for me, I typically end up repurposing them. I used this on my décolletage. It didn’t go to waste!

nattalen's avatar

nattalen

10 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Simple ingredients, doesn't irritate my skin, plump's, doesn't clog pores, soothes inflamed skin

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Pond's Hydra Active Gel.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Crème US.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...