Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Cream Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - US
Updated on October 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
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, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Cream 51 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Cream 51 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 34 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantErythritol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAzulene
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Arginine, Polyglycerin-3, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Carbomer, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Erythritol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Azulene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Phytosterols, Linoleic Acid, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Serine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
HumectantMaltose
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Glycine, Alanine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Betaine, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Trehalose, Glucose, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinArginine 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 ArginineDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Cream 51 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Cream 51 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel 34 ingredients
Burnssssss
Broke me out, made me really really itchy
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..
