Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, SPF 15
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 3 moreGood evidence
“Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, SPF 15”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acidStrong evidence
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acidStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Unspecified form of vitamin c~44–54%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Salicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidWater~4.3–5.2%
Glycerin~3.2–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylyl methicone~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerPentylene glycol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulations
More about Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymerBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Parfum~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium hydroxide~0.65–1%
Ci 42090~0.65–0.95%
Ci 16035~0.6–0.95%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~0.5–0.75%
Glycerin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylyl methicone~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerPentylene glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulations
More about Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymerBenzyl alcohol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateChlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.1%
Ci 16035~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Unspecified form of vitamin c, Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Caprylyl methicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Pentylene glycol, Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer, Benzyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium hyaluronate, Disodium edta, Parfum, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 42090, Ci 16035, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Caprylyl methicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Pentylene glycol, Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer, Benzyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium hyaluronate, Disodium edta, Parfum, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 42090, Ci 16035
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| NeutrogenaHydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | CliniqueNEW UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50 | La Roche-PosayEffaclar Duo+ SPF 30 | L'Oréal ParisBright reveal dark spot uv fluid spf 50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 86% | 85% |
| Price | $16.47 | $40.10+$23.63 | $20.32+$3.85 | $18.88+$2.41 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Algae Extract | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Neutrogena - Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% (declared), octisalate 4.00% (declared), homosalate 4.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 16.47$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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