January 4, 2017

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum Review & Swatches

Affiliate / Purchased
I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum ($19.99) is a new hydrating serum that contains hyaluronic acid which is part of Neotrogena’s Hydro Boost Spring 2017 Collection. I enjoy Neotrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel and was intrigued with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum as I thought it would make a nice companion to the water gel!

It’s nice to see Neutrogena expanding on their Hydra Boost Skincare Collection! It’s also nice to see them introducing excellent makeup to this collection like their new Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint and Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer.

Here’s my review and thoughts.

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum comes housed in a 1 oz pump bottle and will set you back around $20 bucks at drugstores. I had some CVS Bonus Bucks so, I paid $15 bucks for mine. Given Neutrogena often has drugstore sales you’re bound to catch a deal on this sooner or later.

This is actually quite lovely but there are downfalls to the formula but first let’s discuss the good. This is a lightweight essence-like serum that absorbs in a flash and leave skin dewy to the touch, supple, and lightly hydrated. It’s a perfect prep to moisturizer as it’ll smooth and soften skin and allow moisturizer to absorb more easily. It’ll also lend nice moisture to skin and aid in retaining that moisture. I use it in the day and I experience no tackiness, shine, or oiliness when used in combination with my AM moisturizer and it leaves my skin feeling soft and pleasantly moist throughout the day. I wouldn’t say it is ideal for nightly wear as you might want to reply on an anti-aging or even a richer serum for evening use but as a daily lightly moisturizing serum it works very nicely and wears well under makeup as it eases dryness and gives skin a soft texture.

neutrogena-hydro-boost-hydrating-serum-swatches

Sadly, it probably isn’t a perfect pick for sensitive users as it has a delightful yet very, very strong fresh floral fragrance. It also contains dimethicone which could potentially irritate skin or even dry out already dry skin over time.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum has some very nice hydrating ingredients but fragrance and dimethicone might be a deal breaker for some users!

It’s available now at amazon.com, ulta.com, and at mass drugstores.

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Affiliate / Purchased
I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jay

    This seems great for me to use under daytime moisturizers that aren’t quite enough for me in the winter…kind of like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost! Go figure lol.

  • Gina

    I purchased this about three weeks ago – and I’ve really enjoyed it under my moisturizer ! I have acne prone skin – as well as combo/oily and I’ve not had any problems. I use it mainly for daytime and when I’m applying make up. It seems to hydrate quite well, with exception of my eyelids. Sadly, that is one of the main reasons I bought it, I thought I’d forgo an eye creme – and just do a serum – but I’ve still had some dry, patchy areas on my eyelids. Overall I do like it however. It absorbs quickly and feels very refreshing. I don’t notice the fragrance. Thanks for the review!

    • Isabella Muse

      be careful what you put on your eyelids, Gina. Anything you put on lids is absorbed into the skin, so def get something that was created for this area versus a serum for your face! Better safe than sorry! Wow can’t believe you didn’t notice the fragrance, it’s very strong! My pleasure!

      • Gina

        OH my!!! Thank you!! I’m surprised it didn’t burn, a lot of things do. I will be careful from now on Isabella. And as far as the fragrance? I wonder if you got an odd ball? Mine hardly smells at all? Weird! Thanks again Isabella!!!!! <3

        • Isabella Muse

          Oh my pleasure. I was googling last year when I had really dry, flaky eye lids and many articles said to be careful what you put on your lids because it is absorbed very easily since the skin is so thin here! That’s SO ODD! But it’s totally possible! Mine has a really fresh, floral scent, it’s pretty but strong! Oh you’re welcome 🙂 but I didn’t do anything xoxo!

  • Marina

    This contains some of the worst things imaginable. Propylene glycol is the scienctific name for
    antifreeze. This contains aluminum and ammonia. Come on muse this stuff is toxic as heck.
    Girls lets be careful not to put this stuff on our faces. If you look up the term proylene glycol for example it says it’s listed under Toxic substances in Wikipedia.
    We need to start petitions on what goes into products and start writing companies even if they do pay you or send you stuff. Doesn’t anyone care about toxicity anymore? You skin drinks it right up and goes into your cells people.
    I love you muse but you put alot of toxic chemicals on your face over the years. be careful cause we can’t live without you girl. You’re our shopping buddy

    • Isabella Muse

      Hey Marina, you’re educating me today. I thought Propylene glycol was a humectant and fairly common in skincare. Most articles I’ve read about it never said it was toxic. I think Paula Begoun even has it on her “good” list. Aw don’t worry, I promise to make a deal with the devil so I can stay young forever hehe 😀

    • Bonnie S.

      EXCELLENT comment, Marina. I will watch out for propylene glycol and wonder how many products in my makeup arsenal have it. Eww! Speaking of products, do you have any thoughts on toxicity vis a vis Dimethicone?

    • Keara

      The chemical in automotive antifreeze is ETHYLENE glycol, not propylene glycol. Big difference. The FDA classifies propylene glycol as “generally recognized as safe”. It is, indeed, a humectant, and is an ingredient in dozens of food products including ice cream and soda. Here’s a link for more information: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/propylene-glycol

    • David Charles DuBois

      Do your homework! Polyethylene glycol is not automotive anti freeze! Polyethylene glycol is also in many foods too! If you need to escape this chemical you may want to consider moving to another planet!

  • Brandy L.

    Thanks for mentioning the fragrance. I was debating on buying this, but I think I’ll skip it as I’m very sensitive to fragrances. Why must skin care companies do this? I don’t need perfume on my face, just moisture!

    • Isabella Muse

      lately, I agree! I typically like fragrance in my skincare but I’m somehow become a bit more sensitive to it and dislike it as well :-/

  • genevieve

    What a shame that a great product is marred by the presence of fragrance and a few other irritating ingredients. Otherwise it sounds like it is pretty good.