neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Glycerin
3. Dimethicone
4. Butylene Glycol
5. Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
6. Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
7. Isododecane
8. Dimethiconol
9. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
10. Ethylhexylglycerin
11. Benzyl Alcohol
12. Sodium Lactate
13. Cetearyl Olivate
14. Bisabolol
15. Chlorphenesin
16. Sorbitan Olivate
17. Sodium PCA
18. Fragrance
19. Sodium Hyaluronate
20. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
21. Sorbitol
22. Chondrus Crispus Extract
23. Sodium Hydroxide
24. Proline
25. Portulaca Oleracea Extract
26. Propylene Glycol
27. Citric Acid
28. Magnesium Aspartate
29. Zinc Gluconate
30. Copper Gluconate

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains alcoholContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTIFOAMING

DimethiconeDimethiconol

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Neopentyl Glycol DiheptanoateIsododecane

ABSORBENT

Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate

Other ingredients

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerEthylhexylglycerinBenzyl AlcoholSodium LactateCetearyl OlivateBisabololChlorphenesinSorbitan OlivateSodium PCAFragranceSodium HyaluronateAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerSorbitolChondrus Crispus ExtractSodium HydroxideProlinePortulaca Oleracea ExtractPropylene GlycolCitric AcidMagnesium AspartateZinc GluconateCopper Gluconate

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate

Light emollient ester, non-greasy, improves product spreadability.

Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate

Modified starch absorbent at 1–10%; for powder products, oil-absorbing without heavy feel

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.

Dimethiconol

Dimethiconol; silicone emollient providing silky feel and reducing friction; moderate comedogenicity, avoid excess.

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Benzyl Alcohol

Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.

Sodium Lactate

Sodium lactate for moisturizing and exfoliation; pH buffering agent

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Chlorphenesin

Phenolic antimicrobial; strict EU limits apply, potential allergen, careful dosing required for leave-on products.

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Sodium PCA

Sodium PCA, NMF component, 1-10% humectant; salty/tacky at high levels.

Fragrance

Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.

Sorbitol

Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Carrageenan for thickening and moisturizing; seaweed-based, pH-sensitive

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Proline

Proline, amino-acid humectant; boosts stratum corneum hydration, stable at pH 4-5.

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Achyronica extract with anti-inflammatory properties; monitor for heavy metals and pesticides, low-risk at typical doses

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

Magnesium Aspartate

Magnesium aspartate; water-soluble chelant/conditioner. Use at 1-2%; check chelation efficiency.

Zinc Gluconate

Chelated zinc salt with antimicrobial and deodorizing effects; used in antiperspirants and oral care; has EU concentration limit.

Copper Gluconate

Copper gluconate; trace antioxidant/repair agent. Use <0.05%; high levels cause color change/irritation.

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