Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser Review & Swatches

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser ($7.99) is a new exfoliating face wash that formulated with hyaluronic acid which acts to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and seal in moisture. I was actually tempted to say that this was “infused” with hyaluronic acid because it, like many of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Skincare products, contains a very, very small amount of hyaluronic acid. Not nearly enough to make any real difference in your skin which proves disappointing but like many brands they latched onto a very popular skincare trend and ran with it.

Oddly enough, I was pretty impressed Neutrogena Hydro Boost Makeup such as the concealer and tint but wasn’t really in love with the skincare part of the collection. Neutrogena Hydrating Cleansing Gel was one of the items I checked out last year and I felt like it made my skin pretty tight after using it so, I expected more of the same from the Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser and that’s exactly what I got. This really didn’t agree with my drier skin at all. I also didn’t love the texture and consistency.

Let’s check it out.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser has the potential to be a somewhat good daily exfoliating treatment as it contains some interesting ingredients such as AHAs in the form of fruit acids as well as hydrating glycerin. As I said above, this contains an obscenely low amount of hyaluronic acid. It’s the very last ingredient on the list. Really, Neutrogena? You can do better than that.

I think it’s a pretty standard exfoliating cleanser that available across the board from a variety of brands like Garnier, Clean & Clear, etc…although, I will say there are far better formulas around.

I don’t really love calling this a cleanser as it doesn’t remove makeup but will attack oil and dirt while acting as an exfoliate skin. The texture is a thicker gel consistency with tiny grains. I find the formula doesn’t break down as easily as I would like and for some reason it was a little difficult to rinse off as well. It’s alright in the exfoliating department but not great by any means. Another words, it’ll likely whisk away flaky, drier areas but it’ll also leave you feeling a little tight and dry after using or at least it left me feeling like that. It also contains a good deal of fragrance. The scent is a fresher aquatic scent that was pleasant but quite strong.

I give Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser a meh. There’s nothing unique or special about this product and it’s the same cookie cutter exfoliating cleanser most all drugstore brands carry. The fact they promote it as having hyaluronic acid is what would set it apart but that’s merely a slick marketing trick to get you to buy because in reality it contains very little of the ingredient.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser is launching now at drugstores or online at amazon.com, ulta.com, and target.com.