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After a month they had a bad flare of scabby bumps and cleared up within a week of stopping, so they blame the gel.
“Anyway, I started using this and after like a month I had a bad flare up. Like big huge bumps that became scabs all over my neck and lower face”
Their eczema liked it for years but recent flares make it burn when applied.
“I’ve used it for years and my eczema has always liked it. Recently I’ve had the worst flares of my life and it burns my skin when I apply the hydro boost.”
Their whole face broke out in cystic acne.
“i bought this after i ran out of my regular moisturizer and my entire face has broken out into cystic acne.”
Great moisturizer but it makes the skin under their eyes dry and flake, even in the fragrance-free version.
“The moisturizer is great but it's making the skin under my eyes dry up and literally flake off. I've never had this problem before with anything. The moisturizer is now fragrance-free too, so it's not that.”
Has been really liking the Hydro Boost water gel.
“i have been RLY liking the neutrogena hydro boost water gel.”
The fragrance-free water gel was the only thing that didn't make their skin greasy.
“The fragrance free water gel is literally the only thing that didn’t make my skin greasy.”
The new formula doesn't sink in and leaves a residue that feels slick and tight; they loved the old one.
“The new formula doesn't sink into my skin and leaves a residue that makes my face feel slick and tight.”
Tried it twice and got a burning sensation each time despite not having sensitive skin; it left them drier.
“I've tried this twice and each time I get a burning sensation and it just overall doesn't feel good. I don't even have sensitive skin and using this it feels like it dries me out more.”
Uses it as a pre-moisturizer water boost under a cream rather than as a replacement moisturizer.
“It's not a replacement to moisturizer I find it's a nice pre-moisturizer, water boost and then your cream locks in the moisture.”
Chose it for acne-prone oily skin; a glossier, dewier finish than the LRP Toleriane matte.
“of the two i listed i chose Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
Loves it because it absorbs so well, keeping a second moisturizer for drier days.
“I love the water gel version because it absorbs so well, but I do keep a second moisturizer on hand for days where I might need more.”
Really likes it as the only thing that works no matter what is going on with their skin.
“I really like the Hydro Boost Water Gel, I feel like it's the only thing that works no matter what crazy nonsense is going on with my skin.”
Woke up with four zits after using it for the first time.
“using it last night for the first time, and waking up with four zits!”
Sinks in within a minute on oily/normal skin and a jar lasts four months.
“I use the hydroboost myself, I hate things that stay on my skin and this one sinks in in under a minute so is perfect for me.”
Tried the Neutrogena moisturizer in the past and it gave them angry pimples.
“I have tried it in the past and it gives me these angry pimples.”
Has used it for ten years and always comes back to it after trying many things.
“the neutrogena hydro boost water gel! I have tried so many things and I always come back to this!”
Used it for about a year and really liked it despite the strong smell.
“I have used this product before, and it does have quite a strong smell! I think I probably used it for like a year or so and really liked it”
A year of use on normal-combination skin with the fragrance-free formula was really good and never caused issues.
“Used this for a year for my normal-combination skin the new formula without fragrance it was really good for my skin. I stopped and upgraded to clinique surge but this cream never had any negative affect”
After two years it did not seem to help their skin; they prefer CeraVe moisturizing cream.
“I used this exact water gel for like 2 years and in the end it didn’t seem to be helping my skin at all”
Likes how it feels as an extra hydration step.
“Yeah, I like how the water gel feels.”
Felt soft for a few days and then suddenly had double the acne.
“Skin felt so soft and supple for a few days and then suddenly double the acne.”
After a month they got small white bumps and breakouts on their chin and suspect the moisturizer.
“Last week I started noticing these small white bumps and some acne breakouts on my chin.”
Broke out from every version they tried and switched to The Ordinary Beta Glucan moisturizer.
“I also broke out from every version of this I tried.”
A year-long favourite; they have also tried the Walgreens generic version and found it really good.
“This has been my FAVORITE for a year, ive also used walgreens generic version of it which was honestly reallly good”
Breaking out badly after a month.
“I am breaking out after using this for a month. It’s so bad.”
After two days with some on their eyelids they went red, swelled and wept for a week.
“Used this product for two days, accidentally got some on my eyelids when applying foundation & concealer, both eyelids went red, swelled up, eyes weeped, have been in a lot of pain all week”
Broke them out badly; months to recover.
“I broke out like crazy wondering what was wrong with me.”
A holy grail they always come back to after trying countless Korean moisturisers.
“Shoutout to the Neutrogena hydroboost water gel moisturizers, I’ve tried countless Korean skincare brands for moisturizers and I’ve always come back to the Neutrogena hydroboost. It’s a holy grail in my routine!”
Lovely to apply but breaking them out badly.
“Same here! I love how it feels when I apply it but I’ve been breaking out so bad!”
They ended up liking the fragrance-free Hydro Boost Water Gel, close to the old gel-cream in how their face looked.
“I gave the water GEL (not water cream) fragrance free version a try and ended up liking it”
The reformulated version disappointed them after years with the original.
“I also use the water gel ... not the gel cream. Recently restocked, opened the container, and saw this thin pasty concoction.”
Had an eyelid reaction from the water gel and it's getting ugly.
“This just happened to meet, it was the water gel. It’s getting ugly”
Loved it on acne-prone skin until a new jar arrived reformulated.
“I love the zero fragrance and really helped as a nicely moisturizing base for my acne prone skin.”
After the reformulation the Water Gel caused burning, redness, peeling and breakouts, though it was their holy grail before.
“I am back to report that the new formula of the Water Gel absolutely hates my skin- burning, redness, peeling, acne in unusual areas. I’m very sad as it was my holy grail product before the formula change”
Loved the original fragrance-free formula but found it not moisturising enough for mature dry skin, so used it as a gel-serum under another moisturizer.
“I loved the original fragrance-free Hydro-Boost formula but, it wasn't quite moisturizing enough for my mature/dry skin. I always applied another moisturizer over it to seal it in. I used it as a gel-serum.”
Older than 36 months. These may describe an earlier version.
A restocked jar gave massive breakouts and clogged pores.
“I recently restocked on the water gel and nourishing cream and opened the water gel this weekend. I got massive breakouts and clogged pores all over my face.”
Using and loving the Hydro Boost Water Gel.
“I’m using and loving the water gel”
The new formula stays tacky all day, unlike the soft old one.
“I use Nutragena water gel as I can’t use oil because of using oxygen. They have changed the packaging and the formula.”
Gave an alcoholy heat sensation and burning for about a minute after applying, stronger than another cream.
“they both gave me this "alcoholy" (just describing feeling not intensity) heat sensation when applying and "burning" feeling afterwards that lasts about one minute.”
Breakouts and enlarged-looking pores on oily, sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.
“Used it and noticed small breakouts on my nose. My pores look massive and I’m breaking out..”
Was the best thing they had used, sinking in quickly with no breakouts or shine, until the formula changed and now it burns.
“Neturogena hydro boost water gel was the best thing I've ever used. Sunk in quickly, no breakouts, not shiny at all!”
The new formula is great, and refills are a plus.
“Side note: I've been using the new Water Gel formula and it's great. I also appreciate being able to buy refills.”
Nothing worked as well on their oily skin but it made the skin under their eyes dry every time.
“The problem with hydro boost was that it made the skin under my eyes dry.”
Had the same breakout problem; their dermatologist pointed to fragrance and they went back to CeraVe.
“I had this same problem and my dermatologist told me that there is fragrance in this formula and that’s probably what I was having a reaction too! Went back to CereVe.”
After 5 days it had not helped and they got two huge pimples on their forehead.
“about 5 days ago I started using the Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Moisturiser and I'll be honest it's not helped me at all. I've had 2 pimples come up the size of Mt Vesuvius on my forehead”
Wasn't satisfied; it gave them rashes and made them break out.
“I definitely wasn’t satisfied with the water gel when I used it either. It gave me rashes and made me breakout as well.”
The only moisturizer that doesn't break them out, using the fragrance free version.
“Tbh this is the only moisturizer that DOESNT break me out lol. Crazy world, but I do specifically use the fragrance free version”
Not that satisfied after months of use and plans to switch to CeraVe AM lotion.
“I haven't been that satisfied with it either (I'm using it since April this year).”
Their Hydroboost products totally broke out their normally clear normal skin.
“Anything Neutrogena Hydroboost totally broke my face out which was crazy because I have normal skin (not dry or oily) and rarely get zits.”
After only two weeks it caused dermatitis on their upper eyelid, which they had never had before.
“suddenly now after using it for only 2 weeks it caused dermatitis on my upper eyelid which Ive never had before…”
Years of use on oily skin: light, plumping and hydrating, never greasy or clogging.
“I have oily skin and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel has been great for me over the years - light, refreshing, and it leaves my skin feeling plumped and hydrated without any greasiness or clogged pores.”
Got a reaction from the water gel that burns their skin and makes it extra flaky.
“I got a reaction from Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. It burns my skin and makes it extra flaky.”
Calls it pretty lightweight but still moisturizing on combination acne-prone skin and their favorite moisturizer.
“this moisturizer is pretty light weight but is still moisturizing, it's definitely my favorite moisturizer!”
With dry skin, they found the regular Hydro Boost Water Gel not moisturizing enough.
“I've used the regular gel previously, and it hasn't been moisturizing enough.”
Loved the feel, but it made their skin look much worse.
“Yes ma’m same thing with me ! And I loved the product too but it was making my skin look so much worse then normal so I had to stop”
The gel broke them out and they switched to a Tula gel with less fragrance.
“Neutrogena hydro boost gel broke me out, i switched to Tula's "dew your thing" same texture as the hydro gel but to seemed like the fragrance was less and just as moisturizing”
Their go-to lightweight moisturizer since 2018 that doesn't break them out, but it makes their PIE and cheek redness more prominent.
“Though it doesn't break me out, doesn't irritate nor sting my skin, I've noticed that when I use this moisturizer my PIE become more prominent and my cheeks are more red.”
Plumping at first, then texture and breakouts on their sensitive skin that calmed once they stopped.
“It was great at first until I started noticing a lot of texture and then more and more breakouts??”
The fragrance irritates and burns their skin.
“Yes, with the normal one - it has fragrance which irritates and burns my skin.”
A couple of days gave combination skin breakouts and redness.
“Yes, same. Although my skin type is combined-normal, only sensitive during winter, used it for couple days and noticed breakouts and redness.”
Believes it is drying out their oily skin, with burning and dry patches especially on the eyelids.
“I strongly suspect that it is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel which has HA.”
Their skin did not like it and they had to use loads to stay hydrated; they loved the gel cream for dry skin instead.
“My skin really did not like it and I was having to use loads of it to stay hydrated. I switched to the gel cream for dry skin and love it.”
Nice at first but sometimes makes their skin super red and irritated, likely from fragrance.
“It seems nice the first couple tries, but I’m sure there’s fragrance in there because sometimes my skin gets super red and irritated.”
Thought it was drying their skin but using more of it seems to have helped.
“I thought it was drying my skin out too. I started just using more, and it actually seems to have helped.”
On combination skin it absorbs perfectly with no greasiness, leaving skin soft and moisturised where creams felt greasy.
“I have combo skin and I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel moisturizer, it absorbs perfectly and doesn’t leave any greasiness and my skin feels very soft and moisturized without feeling slick.”
The original's scent is really strong and they cannot use it on their face, so they use it on their hands.
“The scent is *really* strong in the original. I got it and am not able to use it on my face.”
Their holy grail: every other moisturiser makes them very oily.
“Moisturize with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (my HG. Any other moisturizer makes me super oily)”
Loves the gel but finds it too expensive for its size.
“I love neutrogena’s hydro boost gel but it’s too expensive for its size.”
Liked it but cut it out of their routine because of the fragrance.
“I really like that moisturizer too! I actually cut it out of my routine due to fragrance”
After two years it is the only moisturizer that doesn't feel heavy or break them out.
“it’s the only moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy on my skin or makes me breakout.”
Loves both the gel and the gel cream and finds them really hydrating.
“I love the gel and the gel cream. Both are really hydrating.”
An amazing daytime moisturizer for very oily skin that absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft not greasy.
“For my very oily, not very sensitive skin it's been an amazing daytime moisturizer. I love how it absorbs quickly and leaves my skin soft not greasy.”
Okay but did not do enough for them to continue using it and a bit pricey.
“It’s ok, it didn’t really do enough for me to continue using it though and it’s a bit pricey.”
Irritated their skin, though they switched to CeraVe after two weeks.
“Irritated my skin, but also possibly didn’t give it enough chance as I switched to cerave after about two weeks”
Started experiencing redness, bumps and sensitivity with the water gel as the only new product.
“the only new thing I’ve added to my routine is the neutrogena hydro boost water gel”
With sensitive, slightly acne-prone skin, the fragranced Hydro Boost Water Gel didn't agree with them, likely causing redness and tiny bumps.
“my skin didn’t agree with the water gel (fragrance version) at all!”
Used it for months without problems and then their skin suddenly started hating it.
“I used the Neutrogena hydro boost for months with no problem, then one day, my skin really started hating it :(”
Likes the feel and cooling sensation but finds the scent weird and strong and skin feels slightly tight.
“I like the feel of it, I like the cooling sensation. The scent is weird and a little strong for my preference; my skin feels slightly tight after I apply the gel.”
Loved the lightness but it left them with itchy dry skin even with multiple layers.
“Trust me I loved the lightness of the gel, but the itchy dry skin couldn’t have been caused by anything else.”
The regular Hydro Boost Water Gel made their skin burn, probably from the fragrance.
“I tried both and I did not like the regular gel, as it made my skin burn (probably the fragrance).”
Their skin loved it until they worried about dyes, fragrance and eye irritation; the extra dry version felt a little heavy.
“I had been using Neutrogena hydro boost water gel for a while and my skin really seemed to love it”
Their skin feels dry after it even on damp skin, so they always layer another moisturiser over it.
“My skin feels dry after Hydro gel, and I put it on damp skin. So I always put another moisturiser over it. I let the Neutrogena dry a bit and then add the second moisturiser.”
Melted right into supremely oily skin with no oiliness or sheen in a hot humid climate and no reaction.
“The great thing about this is that it melted right into my skin. There was NO oiliness whatsoever, or any sheen.”
Only irritated their combination skin and burned after applying.
“I tried using this moisturizer but I found that it only irritated my skin. My skin would burn after putting it in.”
Works just fine under CeraVe moisturizer but they have read it is not sufficient alone.
“It works just fine for me underneath my cerave moisturizer.”
A few months in it hasn't worsened their acne but they need to use more product to feel moisturized.
“have been using this for a few months now and I haven't noticed it worsening my acne or even causing a breakout.”
Broke them out the first couple days but they kept using it and now love it.
“I didn’t spend $20 to not use it so I continued to use it and I love it!”
Breaks out on oily acne-prone skin while using it.
“for some reason I break out while using the Hydro Boost.”
Says it broke them out and recommends CeraVe PM instead.
“It broke me out too. I recommend CeraVe PM, but as others have said, it all depends on the individual!”
Does not break them out but does not help; their skin stays very dry.
“Doesn’t break me out but it doesn’t help me either. My skin is still very dry.”
Amazing: their skin drinks it up, it never feels greasy and sunscreen layers over it.
“The Neutrogena water gel is amazing. My skin just drinks it up, and it never ever feels greasy. It’s super light weight and you can layer sunscreen over the top of it.”
Dries out quickly, not hydrating at all and stings their face.
“did not like neutrogena, it dries out very quickly. didn't find it be hydrating at all, plus it stings my face”
Loves it layered under Kiehl's cream; it has been a lifesaver for dry flaky patches and their skin has never felt so soft and hydrated.
“it’s been an absolute lifesaver. My skin has never felt so soft and hydrated.”
Loves it on combination skin and under makeup, though it is not super moisturizing for dry skin.
“If you have dry skin, I wouldn't recommend it but my combination skin prefers it, especially when I wear makeup!”
Likes it and finds it similar to the Clinique water gel they used before.
“bought Neutrogena hydro boost water gel which I like and seems similar to the original clinique moisture surge extended thirst relief I had before.”
It destroyed their sensitive combo skin, leaving enlarged pores and overly oily skin.
“I've tried Neutrogena Hydro boost water gel and it destroyed my skin, for whatever reason. Enlarged pores and overly oily.”
Loves it as their morning moisturiser.
“I LOVE that stuff! I use the gel in the AM”
Their morning and night moisturiser in the simplified routine that rebuilt their damaged barrier.
“Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel • Sun and Bum SPF 50”
Loves it after four months of twice-daily use on combination dry skin that clogs easily.
“I have combo/dry skin, and my pores clog kind of easily; this stuff is just amazing for that.”
Gave them one of the worst breakouts they have had after about 3 weeks.
“I tried it for about 3 weeks and it gave me one of the worst breakouts I've ever had.”
Loves it because their skin hates heavy creams but likes this gel.
“I love it. My skin hates creams and other heavy moisturizers but it seems to really like this gel. I use the regular one, not the extra dry one.”
Loves the product but hates that the packaging is not recyclable.
“Love the product. Hate the packaging! I just finished my jar and realized that it's not even recyclable :(”
Good for a drugstore brand but not that great; there are better water gels.
“It is good for a drugstore brand but there are many better water gel moisturizers tho. I liked it but it’s not that great.”
Absolutely adores the water gel on oily combo skin and wants to keep it.
“I absolutely adore this water gel and don’t want to switch all together since my jar is basically brand new”
Head over heels in love with the gel moisturiser and looking for backups.
“I am head over heels in love with the hydro boost gel moisturiser,”
Doesn't like the water gel, preferring the gel cream.
“The wafer gel, no. The gel cream, yes! It’s not enough on it’s own though, so I layer Cerave on top.”
Not very hydrating and pilled under sunscreen, though the gel cream was amazing.
“Didn’t like it. Not very hydrating and pilled under sunscreen.”
Acne-prone and found it not very hydrating; it just felt wet.
“I didn’t like it. I am acne prone and it wasn’t very hydrating to me just felt wet.”
Loves how it feels and dries down; their sensitive slightly acne-prone skin feels adequately hydrated.
“Personally, I love it! It feels great going on and i like the way it dries down. It’s full of silicones but my sensitive, slightly acne prone skin doesn’t mind it and feels adequately hydrated after using.”
Didn't like it; it balled up like little pieces of straw wrapper.
“I really didn’t like it. It balled up like little pieces of straw wrapper.”
Loves the water gel on its own.
“I LOVE the hydro boost water gel on its own”
Finished a second tub and likes what it has done so far.
“I just finished my second tub of Neutrogena HydroBoost water gel and I like what it's done so far”
Felt it was not doing anything for them compared to Hada Labo's gel.
“The Neutrogena HydroBoost just didn’t seem like it was doing anything for me.”
Loves it and says it is well worth $20; their face is so smooth they can't stop touching it.
“I just got this product and I looooove it. Well worth $20 (which is the exact price here, at Walmart.) My face is soooo smooth, I can't stop touching it.”
Says it is totally worth saving up for and the only thing that has worked for their super oily skin.
“I would recommend saving up $ to buy it because it's totally worth it! I have super oily skin and this is the only thing that has worked for me.”
After about a week they can already see and feel a difference; a little goes a long way.
“It is pricey, but a little goes a long way and it's worth it! I've been using it for about a week after seeing it recommended here, and I can already see/feel a difference in my skin.”
Finds it great: instantly cooling and moisturizing without oily residue, though not for extensive dry patches.
“I have blemished combination skin, and have been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost WATER Gel (same line as the gel cream but better if your skin isn't dry as a desert), and i find it great.”
A bit better than a basic moisturizer but not as great as hyped; their nose looked sweaty if they used too much.
“In my opinion, it's a bit better than a basic moisturizer but not nearly as great as it's been hyped up to be.”
Gave it 5/5: pores felt like drinking cool water and it leaves skin looking like velvet under makeup.
“My pores felt like they were drinking their own little cool bottles of water!”
Loved it but there is so little product for the price; it lasted about three weeks.
“Loved it too but it's so little product for a pricier item. It only lasted me about 3 weeks. The packaging is deceiving.”
The first thing that significantly calmed their sensitive skin, reducing redness and itch, without breakouts.
“It was the first thing I've used that significantly calmed my skin down. I'm much less red, and wasn't itchy at all.”
The water gel breaks them out and they suspect butylene glycol.
“I was wondering why the hydroboost water gel breaks me out, I have always had troubles with butylene glycol.”