Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Updated on October 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
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 parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel 24 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Formic Acid
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Propanediol, Laureth-4, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Formic Acid, Maltodextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Polyquaternium-10
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Potassium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel 24 ingredients
Reviews
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