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Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Hydrating Hydrogel Mask Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Hydrating Hydrogel Mask Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum This hydrating sheet mask is formulated around Chondrus Crispus Extract and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and calm redness. This hydrating serum i

Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Hydrating Hydrogel Mask Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum

This hydrating sheet mask is formulated around Chondrus Crispus Extract and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and calm redness.

This hydrating serum is formulated around Trehalose and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Dipropylene Glycol

Propanediol

Ceratonia Siliqua Gum

Xanthan Gum

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Chlorphenesin

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Phenoxyethanol

Potassium Chloride

Parfum

Disodium EDTA

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil

Sucrose Cocoate

Tocopherol

Blue 1 Lake

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chlorphenesin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Chloride, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Tocopherol, Blue 1 Lake

Dimethicone

Glycerin

Cetearyl Olivate

Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Sorbitan Olivate

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Synthetic Beeswax

Sodium Polyacrylate

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Sodium Hydroxide

Trehalose

Dimethiconol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Yeast Extract

Carbomer

Sodium Hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

C12-14 Pareth-12

Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone

Sodium Metabisulfite

Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

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Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 031,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
  4. 04It is a:
  5. 05Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  6. 06Emollient, helping to soften skin
  7. 07Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  8. 08Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
  9. 09Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
  10. 10Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
  11. 11Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
  12. 12Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
  13. 13That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
  14. 14These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
  15. 15Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
  16. 16Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
  17. 17Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
  18. 18So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
  19. 19Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
  20. 20Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Source · skinsort.com
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Product index

Related product references

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Comparison edit

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