Updated on January 25, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 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, silicones or sulfates
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
Simple Skincare Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Facial Gel Wash 18 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 10 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Simple Skincare Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Facial Gel Wash 18 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 10 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Dimethylaminopropylamine is a diamine, an amine with two amino groups.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
This ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Potassium Chloride can be bad for oily skin and be bad for acne prone skin.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Antioxidant Helps brighten skin
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Chloride, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate
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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
3 Concerns
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Cetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Simple Skincare Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Facial Gel Wash 18 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 10 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Simple Skincare Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Facial Gel Wash 18 ingredients
Lovee
Really Simple
No harsh chemicals & leaves the skin hydrated after every use. It’s also pocket friendly.
CentellaAddict
Mid cleanser - did what was expected
Didn't make any difference in my skin overall but it helped in repairing my DEAD skin barrier which is why I...
Mid cleanser - did what was expected
Didn't make any difference in my skin overall but it helped in repairing my DEAD skin barrier which is why I got it in the first place, mostly recommend for people with no real skin concerns and just want to have a skincare routine for cleanliness
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 10 ingredients
MichelleR
Unlike the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, this cleanser does not contain alcohol. That makes it the perfect gentle cleanser.
I knew I liked it, but...
Unlike the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, this cleanser does not contain alcohol. That makes it the perfect gentle cleanser.
I knew I liked it, but didn't place the official stamp of approval on it until it passed a very significant test. I got my first Vampire Facial (with an added Clear + Brilliant laser) and at the end of the day I needed to wash off the PRP and sunscreen. This cleanser did NOT sting my face (Three stars) AND got all the debris off my skin (Two stars).
It is officially a mainstay on my shelf!
