Neutrogena Retinol Boost+ Intense Care Cream
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneRetinol, Ascorbic acidStrong evidence
“As cells renew, skin looks rejuvenated and revitalised, and fine lines, dullness, wrinkles and pigmentation spots are improved.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingRetinol, Ascorbic acidStrong evidence
“As cells renew, skin looks rejuvenated and revitalised, and fine lines, dullness, wrinkles and pigmentation spots are improved.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSodium hyaluronate, Dimethicone + 10 moreGood evidence
“** , Hyaluronic Acid to intensely hydrate, moisturise & plump the skin.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong 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: retinol.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extractMedium 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.
Water~40–60%
Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePpg-15 stearyl ether~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherStearyl alcohol~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholCetearyl alcohol~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl behenate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateButylene glycol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCeteareth-20~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Isohexadecane~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneCellulose~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseRetinol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolHydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.8%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDimethicone crosspolymer~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerSodium polyacrylate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerPolyacrylamide~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideC13-14 isoparaffin~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinLaureth-7~0.1–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.05–0.3%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.25%
Ascorbic acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidBht~0.05–0.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl behenate, Butylene glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, Retinol, Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Caprylyl glycol, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium polyacrylate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Ascorbic acid, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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.
| NeutrogenaRetinol Boost+ Intense Care CreamYOUR PRODUCT | HealthspanIntensive Night Treatment Cream | BiopelleEmepelle Night Cream | NaturiumRetinol Cream 2.5% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 95% | 94% |
| Price | $18.57 | $29.46+$10.89 | — | $15.99−$2.58 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin C | Niacinamide | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
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