Opened the new jar and felt a pang of grief. The cult-favorite Hydro Boost got a facelift.
The real issue? They swapped the old jar for a pump — which sounds great until you realize you can’t scrape out every last bit. A crime.
Still a $25 drugstore gel-cream from Neutrogena. Claim: 48-hour hydration without clogging pores. My mission: see if the vibe survived.
The Pump
Feels more hygienic, wastes less product.
Fragrance-Free
Finally. The old scent was a bit much at 7 AM.
Bigger Jar
Same price, 1.7 oz instead of 1.7 oz. Wait, that’s the same. The packaging just looks bulkier.
The hero is still hyaluronic acid. It’s a humectant—pulls water into your skin. The new formula adds glycerin higher on the list.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds moisture to skin
- Glycerin: Boosts the hydrating pull
- Dimethicone: That silky slip — it’s still there
- Polyglutamic Acid: A newer humectant that’s trendier
Texture is bouncier. The old gel melted; this one has a creamier, more substantial slip. Absorbs in 20 seconds — not the 10-second vanish of the original.
Week 3: My combo skin stayed balanced. Unexpected note? It layers worse under sunscreen. Pilled with my mineral SPF unless I waited a full 5 minutes.
Hydration held up. No new breakouts. But that instant refresh? Diminished. It’s a reliable workhorse now, not a thrill.
A solid, boring upgrade. They fixed the scent and added a pump but softened its personality. Good, not great.