Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream SPF 25
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream SPF 25 is a chemical sunscreen using the familiar Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, and Octocrylene set. The gel-cream texture has a balanced finish, a lightweight feel, and a low white cast, though some may notice mild stinging near the eyes. Scoring 65/100 with good protection at SPF 25, it works as a lightweight hydrating moisturizer with sun cover, with the modest SPF 25 best for everyday rather than intense exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
59
- +12 Homosalate at #1, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
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Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
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Eye sting
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
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Fungal acne
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate)
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Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #3, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 4 Glycerin at #10, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #18, hyaluronic family
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (21)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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5 Ci 42090
Colorant or pigment
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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10 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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13 Fragrance
Fragrance
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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16 FD&C Red 40
Colorant or pigment
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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pH adjuster
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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21 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
Is Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is rated low for pore-clogging and feels lightweight with a balanced finish, which is generally friendly for oily or breakout-prone skin.
Is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream SPF 25 mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen, using Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, and Octocrylene, with no mineral filters.
What SPF is it, and is it good?
It is SPF 25 with good measured protection and a 65/100 score. The modest SPF 25 suits everyday wear more than intense exposure, and some may notice mild stinging near the eyes.