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Finding the perfect moisturizer can seem like an impossible task, especially if you have finicky skin. Do you go for something less hydrating because it feels lighter? Do you opt for something heavier and risk a breakout? The search becomes even more challenging on a budget, especially if you’re looking for a cream or gel with quality ingredients.
So it makes sense, then, that you would feel the need to shell out extra cash for a moisturizer you love. I was definitely one of those people. I simply gave up on exploring drugstore options because brands like First Aid Beauty, Peter Thomas Roth, and Clinique always offered moisturizers that absorb quickly into my oily skin without breaking me out.
But after dermatologists started recommending Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line again and again—for example, in Prevention’s
best drugstore moisturizers,
moisturizers for dry skin,
hyaluronic acid products,
neck creams, and
hydrating face masks—I was intrigued. Moreover, the
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream had more than 1,400 reviews on Amazon, a majority of which earned a perfect 5-star
rating. One reviewer raved: “Neutrogena Hydro Boost is nothing short of miraculous. I’ve never been more pleased with a facial moisturizer.”
Since I was on the hunt for a new moisturizer, I ordered one for myself to give it a go. Here’s why it now has a permanent place in my skincare collection.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid
There’s a reason this ingredient gets so much beauty buzz. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it acts like a tiny sponge by absorbing and holding onto water to give thirsty skin a surge of moisture.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream“It is commonly used as an ingredient in moisturizers because of its hydration benefits, and can even help plump the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City .
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream also includes glycerin (another humectant) and dimethicone (a man-made ingredient that reduces water loss in the skin without clogging pores). The result? Healthier, smoother, and more supple skin.
It works well with dry and oily skin
Even though this moisturizer is beneficial for dry skin types, those with oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin can still enjoy it. A little background: I have combo skin, so while I can get oily throughout the day, my skin also tends to get dry around my breakouts. It’s ultra-sensitive right now, too, since I’ve started using a prescription-strength retinoid to treat my acne.
But since Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost is noncomedogenic
(meaning it’s designed to not clog pores), and is free of oils, dyes, or fragrances, I’ve experienced no irritation or breakouts from it. It also has a pleasant gel consistency, so it feels pretty weightless underneath my makeup. (For an even lighter formula,
check out their Water Gel, which is very similar.)
Don’t take just my word for it: “It keeps my face soft and moisturized the entire day. It even takes away the shine my forehead tends to get after I wash it. Every. Time. It’s also very gentle on my sensitive skin; not one breakout from using it,” one review wrote.
It’s so affordable
Did we mention it’s only $16 on Amazon right now!? This product can go for up to $20 depending on where you find it, so if you want to save a few bucks you don’t have much to lose—and only fabulous skin to gain. If you love it, explore some of the other top-notch products in the Hydro Boost line below.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask
Now 41% Off
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
Now 19% Off
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Water Lotion SPF 30
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Multivitamin Booster Face Serum
And if it doesn’t work for you, check out our other favorite drugstore moisturizers here.
Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy. She’s spent the last five years interviewing top medical experts, interpreting peer-reviewed studies, and reporting on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness trends for national brands like Women’s Health and Men’s Health. She spends most of her days diving into the latest wellness trends, writing and editing stories about health conditions, testing skincare products, and trying to understand the next greatest internet obsession.