I always scream about how important moisture is to your skincare routine. All the cleansing and treating in your routine will be for nothing without it. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin (whew, that was a mouthful!) is an oil-free moisturizer.
The company claims that this rich gel relieves intense dryness to help restore skin’s natural barrier against moisture loss. It is a part of the ultra-popular HydroBoost line by Neutrogena whose products have the name because they are infused with hyaluronic acid. I have also used the gel cleanser and sunscreen lotion from this same line.
When I bought this product, it was on a whim when I was in Spar on a random evening. I have used this product consistently for approximately 5 months, and I believe the Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid is due for a review.
Price Point
I bought this for 1550 Naira from Spar, Ilupeju in February 2020. I knew that it was affordable but didn’t understand how much until I started seeing it at a price of 8500 -11000 Naira via Instagram vendors.
Yup! Imagine my shock. I don’t think I may ever find it at such a price again.
On the Neutrogena website, it costs $21.49 which is way above these prices and shocking to me, but oh well.
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Ingredients Overview
The top 5 ingredients are Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl olivate and Sodium hyaluronate. As far as primary moisturizers go, this is great. The glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) are humectants, which entrap moisture from the air to the skin while dimethicone helps seal in the moisture and gives a smooth, supple feel. It also contains a bunch of chemical-based moisturizing ingredients.
Dimethicone sometimes gets a bad rap, but in this resource (and this too) it has been shown as safe and non-sensitizing. Personally, I have no complaints so far.
There are two versions of the Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel-Cream. One has some fragrance and blue dye while the other is a fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Thankfully, I got the latter.
The Look And Feel
The moisturizer comes in a cute, translucent jar placed in a hologrammed blue pack. It is a whitish substance which I’d describe as something between a gel and lotion. When applied, it dissolves nicely into the skin.
I wish the product came in a tube or bottle instead because the capping and uncapping process of the jar can be pretty stressful.
How I Really Feel About This Moisturizer
Typically, I use the Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel-Cream at night as the final step in my skincare routine. Since it is formulated for dry skin and my skin type is combination, it actually serves to hydrate my skin properly.
I love how soft and supple my skin feels once I apply this and this feeling lasts till morning. It literally feels so good. When I was too lazy to do my full routine, I used this after cleansing and my skin still felt refreshed.
If you have dry skin, a little may not go a long way, but on my combination skin, it did. However, I do believe in its hydrating potential for drier skin types.
Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel-Cream: The Verdict
For the price I got it, I would get it a thousand times over. For the current Instagram/ website price, I would recommend it… as long as you can afford it.
This product contains great ingredients that help hydrate and moisturize the skin which are some of the most important needs for great skin.
I endorse this product as a simple moisturizer for anyone who needs a boost. This is easily one of my favourite moisturizers ever.
It’s worth it!
What moisturizer(s) do you currently use? What are your favourite moisturizers so far?
Like to see a review of other products from this line? Let’s know in the comments!
Thank you for this review, you got it at such a good price! I am deciding whether to get the Natural moisturizing factor from the ordinary but the price point it’s also mind boggling on Instagram.
Do you think this would work well as a day time moisturizer for someone with oily skin, given how you mentioned it melts well into the skin?
As a daytime moisturizer, it may be a bit much (especially as I know you use sunscreen daily)
If you live in a typically hot place, it may be a bit much and may clog your pores.
I’d suggest getting the water gel or The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for the morning time (with sunscreen, of course)
Prices are insane right now.
Thank you so much for always supporting.