Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Review

I love hydrating and gel formula moisturisers as my skin can get dehydrated, so was looking forward to trying Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel.

For reference, my skin type is fairly normal though it can be combination at times - and I would always rather err on the side of dewiness rather than matte, so hydration is something I look for in moisturisers. I typically do use a gel formula moisturiser or serum layered underneath something thicker or an oil (the specific products vary a lot, but for example I often use Antipodes Joyous serum with argan oil layered on top).

During my trial of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel I used it twice daily for approximately two week. I didn’t use any other moisturisers but did still use a sunscreen in the mornings.

The immediate effects of HBWG are fairly pleasant (provided you don’t mind the scent, as it’s fairly strong for a skincare product) - it’s quite cooling, refreshing and does visibly reduce dryness when applied. However I didn’t find that it kept my skin moisturised throughout the day the way that my usual serums and moisturisers do, and this is more of a priority than the immediate effects for me.

Overall after a couple of weeks of use my skin actually seems a bit drier than with my usual routine, but perhaps this is a good option for people with oilier skin or who prefer very light moisturising products. For me HBWG was okay, but probably doesn't quite live up to its claims and I wouldn't use it again as I already have other products that work better for my skin.

The packaging of this moisturizer is really appealing. It's fresh, blue, even luxurious to feel. I tend to have dry and dehydrated skin and wasn't sure if gel moisturizers are for me. But one thing's for sure. I'm impressed by how it held up. The water gel is easily absorbed. You'll instantly feel the hydration. As for the claims, I think that is overrated. I had to reapply after a few hours in order for my skin to stay hydrated. I'd suggest this to normal to oily skin types as it is lightweight. Drier types will need to go somewhere else. Overall, I think it's a good moisturizer, but it's just not for me.

I purchased this product after it was first reviewed on Beauty Review by a few Super Hero members. I was very intrigued by the claims of the hyaluronic acid holding the moisture in and keeping the skin super hydrated and thought it might just be what my deeper wrinkles needed - a water plumper wrinkle disguiser.

Initially finding this product in the Supermarket was hard, although it is now readily available and found in many stores that carry beauty and skincare items. So I tracked down this particular product of the range first based on the initial BR reviews. It comes packaged very smartly and does indeed seem much more high end than the price suggests. I was able to purchase it on special for $22.95, RRP is $29.95 at Countdown. The jar of product is a pleasing marine blue with a light metallic blue lid. The gel inside is a light marine blue with a fresh shower water scent reminiscent of that clean soapy water smell. Application of the gel is interesting - the gel is really cold, a little is all that is needed and it spreads very easily. The gel is rapidly absorbed and leaves my skin refreshed, very soft and smooth and definitely feeling plumped up.

I have mature skin with some deeper wrinkles, slight creping and some finer lines. The gel certainly minimises all these defects and the effect is quite noticeable to me. After I had been using the Hydro Boost gel for two weeks, my daughter and another friend remarked that I was looking more relaxed and refreshed. In fact the daughter asked me if I had botoxed my frown lines as I keep saying that I'm going to do one day.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost is the moisturiser I use first thing upon arising - it wakes me up, and plumps up my skin ready for the day. I love that it has a delicate pleasant scent, can be applied even to the eye area without any sensitivity whatsoever and leaves my skin soft and silky but without any leftover residue too. The best thing is that this cheapish gel does more for my wrinkles than any $100 plus serum has ever done and it is now in my bathroom cabinet for good.

I'm onto my second jar and have branched out to the rest if the range, although this particular gel is hands down the star of the whole range.

The day cream was a little confusing to me, with all 4 products I didnt know where to put this one as i prefer the Neutrogena SPF15 water gel.

The packing of the Hydro boost is gorgeous, the jars look expensive and luxurious, the theme of hydration is all over this beautiful range. When using this and the night concentrate I have to double check I open the right one because they are the same jar and packaging.

The formula is very similar to the night concentrate without the beads, its a thick and creamy formula that has a silicone feel to it. When you rub this onto your skin it feels smoother and softer but too thick for when Im applying makeup. I use the day cream for when im at home and im not wearing any makeup, it keeps my skin moisturized for the whole day, there is no sign of dryness when using the day cream. It instantly hydrates your skin once applied, a quick and easy fix to those dry areas.

Overall the day cream is great, a few things to note is the day & night cream are similar in packaging and the day cream you cant really wear under foundation. It is still a great product.

When I first got this product I was really excited to start using it. The packaging is gorgeous and the formula is light and refreshing. I am used to using a moisturiser that is a lot heavier then this and leaves my skin slightly greasy so I was shocked to feel my skin was NOT greasy after applying this. I was so surprised I applied more. I initially didn't like this because I felt it wasn't moisturizing enough, but after a couple of days I have begun to really like this cream. First of all it is cooling and amazingly refreshing. Secondly it is absorbed quickly. Great for if you are stretched for time because you can apply your makeup straight away. Thirdly it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. I have oily/dry combination skin, after applying this once in the morning it kept my face moisturized all day, but I also noticed my skin was less greasy at the end of the day. Which is something I can totally get used to.

At the beginning I would have given this a 1/10 now I give it 8.5

Upon getting this product the first thing I noticed was that it looked and felt like a high end product - something you would get in a department store rather than the supermarket. The packaging is cute and the product smelled nice and fresh. The product looked like a typical cream but felt like a lightweight non sticky gel. There is definitely a lot of quality put into this product.

I have used the moisturiser for about 5 days and I noticed consistently that my skin would feel dry within perhaps 20 minutes of using the product. The second any make up went on during the trial period you could really see the dryness of my skin compared to how it would normally look. I really wanted to love this product because the first impression is so fantastic but it just wasn't suited to my skin type and didn't really do anything for me.

I have pretty normal skin. Not too dry, not too oily. But the texture of my skin showed that although it did not feel dry it was dehydrated. I was excited to try Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel because it actually attracts moisture into the skin. I have used moisturisers before that have clogged me up and caused me to break out, but I had confidence that a water gel would not.

I began using the gel daily. It has a lovely, watery, lightweight texture and a very subtle fresh scent. It is a pleasure to apply and sinks into the skin super quickly, becoming fully absorbed and leaving no film on the skin. You can apply makeup almost immediately.

My face was left feeling like silk - I would skim my fingers over my skin just to feel how soft and smooth it was. You wouldn't normally expect such a lightweight gel to provide sufficient moisture but it really worked, keeping my skin feeling soft and balanced throughout the day, with no dry patches and no oily buildup.

I have been looking closely at the texture of my skin and it has definitely improved in the 2 weeks I have been using this product - it is smoother and seems firmer and the tiny fine lines have reduced. I am so impressed and will definitely continue to use this product! I highly recommend it.

Lets cut straight to it this product does what it says, it rehydrates your skin like nothing else i have ever used, but i just can't decide if i like it. I am not sure what it is, but there is something about it that make me go yea nah. It could possibly be the smell. Its not bad or anything but to me it just smells like sunblock which is a bit weird for the more "upmarket" spectrum of the Neutrogena range, i think i was just expecting something a bit different.

It does make your skin feel lovely and plump when you first put it on, like you have walked through a light mist in the spring time. It does feel like you have to reapply it to keep up the level of moisture though but that might just be me and the environment i work in. Everyone knows air conditioning sucks out your skins moisture like a vampire sucking blood. So I will agree with its claim that it doubles skins moisture in 1 hour but i dont think it keeps going for the full 24 hours but hey thats a pretty big claim to live up to.

I found that this actually worked amazingly well on my hands too. I have quite dry "bakers" hands, like you can see all the lines on the backs of my hands along with a few burns and scars. When i put the Hydro Boost on the lines pretty much disappeared and they felt so super smooth. This is almost better as a hand cream than a face cream.

Over all yea its a good product it makes you skin feel nice and looks all young and dewy but nah i wouldn't buy it myself. Personally if i was going to buy a gel moisturiser i would buy the vitamin E one from the Body Shop, it smells nicer and i think it does a better job of holding in your skins moisture for a longer period than the Hydro Boost.

Overall, I found that the 'Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel' a great product but probably not one for me.

Firstly I found the packaging attractive and simple. The promise of 24 hour hydration unrealistic. The smell subtle, pleasant and 'fresh'. It went on my skin beautifully and really felt amazing on, unlike any moisturising product I have used before (it actually felt like one of the high quality primers I use).

However despite how nice the product looked and felt to used I didn't feel like it did much for my skin, perhaps it's not for my skin type. I feel like this would be a brilliant product for a teenager or young adult as it's light on their skin and it only focuses on hydration, which I think would be perfect. In regards to the claim of 24 hour hydration, it fell very short. I put it to the test on this promise and felt the it worked well for up to 8 hours but then started to fade and defiantly not the 24 it claims.

I may use it again, but I would recommend that it's a good product for the right person.