The Neutrogena Hydro Boost collection of skin care products offers two great moisturizers that keep your skin hydrated and looking healthy, Hydro Boost Water Gel and Hydro Boost Gel Cream.
Both are formulated with ingredients for intense hydration, but which is better?
In this post on Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream, we’ll explore the differences between these two products and help you decide which is best for your skin type and skin concerns.
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and Water Cream: New Formulas for 2024
Neutrogena has introduced new formulas for its Hydro Boost moisturizers. The good news is that the new formulas seem to focus more on skin hydration and repair with the addition of hydrators like amino acids and humectants.
Both the Water Gel and the Water Cream are formulated without synthetic dyes and fragrance, potentially making them more suitable for sensitive skin types than the old formulas. Also, both are non-comedogenic, so they shouldn’t clog your pores.
New nourishing ingredients in both the Water Gel and Water Cream are:
- Amino Acids (Serine, Glycine, Alanine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine HCl, Glutamic Acid): These ingredients are beneficial for skin hydration and repair.
- Sodium PCA, PCA: Natural moisturizers with hydrating properties.
- Urea: Helps with skin’s moisture retention and barrier function.
- Sodium Lactate: The sodium salt of lactic acid that moisturizes and helps maintain the skin’s pH balance.
- Betaine, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Trehalose, Glucose: These ingredients are humectants, helping to draw moisture into the skin.
The new formulas come in recyclable glass jars, and even though they appear smaller than the original formulas, they are both 1.7 oz and priced similarly.
Here are some images of the OLD and NEW formulas sampled on my hand:
So what’s the difference between the Water Gel and Water Cream (NEW FORMULAS)?
The primary differences lie in the texture and moisturizing capabilities. The Water Cream contains cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides not found in the Water Gel and additional ingredients that create a creamier, more emollient texture.
The Water Gel contains dimethicone (a silicone) high up in the ingredient list, indicating a significant silicone concentration. This contributes to a gel-like, lightweight texture.
- The Water Gel seems designed for a lightweight, non-greasy feel, likely catering to normal to oily and acne-prone skin types.
- The Water Cream, with its richer emollients and barrier-repairing ingredients like cholesterol and ceramides, appears to be more suitable for dry or sensitive skin needing extra nourishment and barrier support.
The new formulas feel richer on my skin, and the Water Cream has a thicker consistency than the Water Gel.
I LOVE that the new Water Gel is fragrance-free! I’ll be reaching for the Water Cream in the cooler months and the Water Gel in the summer months.
Here are more details on the old formulas:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (Old Formula)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is powered by hyaluronic acid (HA), an active that occurs naturally in the body. HA helps keep skin hydrated and strengthens your skin’s moisture barrier.
Hyaluronic acid in this moisturizer comes in the salt form HA called sodium hyaluronate.
Sodium hyaluronate acts like a sponge in your skin, forming a protective layer that traps and locks moisture in, giving you a fresh and dewy complexion.
This Hydro Boost gel moisturizer has a lightweight feel and sinks into your skin quickly, just like a hydrating gel, but has a deeply moisturizing formula, like a cream moisturizer.
The water gel is tinted blue and has a noticeable clean, fresh fragrance.
The gel moisturizer is oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores or cause acne and breakouts.
It is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin due to the non-comedogenic formula and lightweight feel that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Extra-Dry (Old Formula)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Extra-Dry Extra-Dry provides 48-hour skin hydration with its hyaluronic acid-enriched formula.
Like the Water Gel, the Gel Cream contains sodium hyaluronate, the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, which allows it to penetrate the skin deeper and has better stability than HA.
Synthetic beeswax acts as a barrier to help keep skin hydrated and protected, locking moisture in. Due to its high melting point, it works as an emollient and improves the formula’s texture.
This facial moisturizer is colorless and fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. It’s also non-comedogenic, oil-free, and non-greasy.
The lush texture is intensely hydrating, but the gel cream doesn’t feel heavy, sticky, or greasy on the skin.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream (Old Formulas)
So which should you choose?
When choosing between the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs. Gel Cream, the best choice depends on your skin type and needs.
Skin Type
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is suitable for many skin types due to its nourishing and hydrating formula. Normal and dry skin types will appreciate its highly moisturizing formula.
Hydro Boost Water Gel might be your best bet if you have oily or acne-prone skin because of its lightweight feel and non-comedogenic properties.
Hydro Boost Gel Cream is formulated for normal, dry, and extra dry skin. If you have drier skin, you could benefit from the Gel Cream’s nourishing formula. Those with oily skin may find it too rich for their skin.
Those with sensitive skin may prefer the fragrance-free and dye-free Hydro Boost Gel Cream since the product is gentler on sensitive skin types.
Ingredients
Both formulas contain hydrating sodium hyaluronate and moisturizing glycerin. Both also contain dimethicone, a silicone that creates a soft and smooth feel on your skin.
The moisturizers also contain cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate, which are emulsifiers (known together as Olivem 1000). They moisturize and soothe the skin while supporting a healthy skin barrier.
The main differences between the two are that the Water Gel has a blue tint and a noticeable fragrance, while the Gel Cream does not.
The Gel Cream is colorless and fragrance-free. (I can’t tolerate the fragrance of the Water Gel and much prefer the fragrance-free creamy feel of the Gel Cream.)
Texture
As its name suggests, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel has a lightweight, watery texture that easily absorbs into the skin.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream, while also lightweight, feels more creamy and less watery than the Water Gel.
Both moisturizers work well under makeup and create a smooth and hydrated base for your makeup.
Price and Size
Prices will vary depending on where you purchase the products, but the Gel Cream tends to be slightly more expensive than the Water Gel. You’ll find both available at drugstore prices.
Both formulas are offered in 1.7 oz jars. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel also comes in a 0.5 travel-size jar.
Supplemental Neutrogena Hydro Boost Serums
If you are looking for additional hydration and moisture, Neutrogena has expanded its Hydro Boost line to include multiple skincare products, including serums.
These hydrating serums can be paired with Hydro Boost Water Gel or Hydro Boost Gel Cream for super-charged hydration.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Night Pressed Serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Night Pressed Serum is a purified hyaluronic acid facial serum that helps you wake to skin that is 3x more hydrated.
Formulated for all skin types, this uniquely textured serum restores your skin barrier overnight while you sleep.
The pressed serum uses sodium hyaluronate to boost the skin’s moisture level and help seal in moisture for dewy, bouncy skin the following day.
It also contains trelahose, a sugar that hydrates and helps your skin retain water.
Yeast extract, which contains beta-glucan, has moisturizing benefits, while vitamin E is an ingredient that offers skin-protective antioxidant benefits.
Please note there is added fragrance in this pressed hyaluronic acid serum.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains purified hyaluronic acid in a 17% hydration complex to kick dryness to the curb.
The serum quenches dull, dehydrated, dry skin with sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid.
But the skin benefits don’t stop there. The serum also contains brightening niacinamide, which strengthens your skin barrier, keeping moisture in and irritants out.
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), a humectant, helps attract and lock in moisture for all-day hydration and softer, smoother skin. Multiple amino acids help the skin to retain moisture.
The serum can be applied on its own under your moisturizer, or if you’re tight on time or want one less step in your skincare routine, you can mix it with your moisturizer for an added boost of hydration.
It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores and is fragrance-free.
This serum even made my list of the best drugstore hyaluronic acid serums.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum contains a concentrated 10% dose of niacinamide and works as a multi-benefit hydrating serum to replenish your skin.
Niacinamide works to visibly improve skin texture while producing a naturally illuminated complexion. It also helps balance sebum (oil) production while helping to fade discoloration and uneven skin tone.
This serum also helps protect the skin’s barrier, trapping moisture in and external toxins out.
It instantly boosts skin hydration levels with sodium hyaluronate (the same ingredient in both the Water Gel and Gel Cream moisturizers) and glycerin.
The serum is formulated for all skin types and tones, so it’s suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
This serum also made my list of the best drugstore niacinamide serums.
The Bottom Line
If you can’t decide which Hydro Boost moisturizer would work best for your skin, there are a few main differences between the two:
- The Water Gel (old formula) is fragranced, tinted blue, and more lightweight and watery on the skin.
- The Gel Cream (old formula) is fragrance-free, dye-free, and slightly more creamy. It’s my pick as the better product for sensitive skin (and my favorite between the two).
You can always pair one of these moisturizers with a Neutrogena Hydro-Boost serum for an extra boost of hydration and targeted skin care benefits.
Whichever you choose, these Neutrogena moisturizers will deliver glowing skin all day long at drugstore prices.
Happy hydration!
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Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!
nehal
Monday 3rd of July 2023
very helpful article, as i was not aware of water\cream gel this save me money because i was buying it for my dad. highly appreciated.