Neutrogena Hydro Boost cleanser for combination skin
Glycerin
Hyaluronic Acid
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing and hydration for your combination skin, as cocamidopropyl betaine and glycerin work to remove impurities while maintaining skin moisture. Hyaluronic acid further supports hydration, making it suitable for your oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
- This product provides general hydration and cleansing benefits, aligning with your needs for oily shine and combination skin.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 20.0k+ reviewsWhile it is celebrated for leaving skin soft and supple rather than tight, some users find it struggles to remove heavy or waterproof makeup on its own.
Highlights
Non-stripping hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and supple”
- “doesn't leave face tight”
- “locks in moisture”
- “feels hydrated after washing”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no irritation or redness”
- “soothing and mild”
- “doesn't sting eyes”
Fresh, clean scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like fresh rain”
- “pleasant light fragrance”
- “refreshing citrus notes”
- “not overpowering”
Lightweight gel texture Sometimes Noted
- “silky smooth consistency”
- “lathers up nicely”
- “rinses clean easily”
- “refreshing water-gel feel”
Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “didn't remove all foundation”
- “requires double cleansing”
- “left residue behind”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “developed cystic acne”
- “small bumps appeared”
- “clogged my pores”
- “skin reacted badly”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “skin felt tight afterwards”
- “dried out my cheeks”
- “not hydrating enough”
- “left dry patches”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “perfume is too strong”
- “scent irritated my nose”
- “smells like cheap soap”
- “wish it was unscented”
Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, walmart.com, ulta.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Neutrogena Hydro Boost work for combination skin?
Neutrogena Hydro Boost cleanser works reasonably well for combination skin by offering moderate cleansing and hydration that helps manage oily shine without causing irritation. However, a product for this skin needs higher safety, excellent oil-balancing and hydrating ingredients, and a well-rounded formulation to effectively address both oily and dry areas.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and cocamidopropyl betaine make this cleanser a good fit because they wash away dirt while keeping your skin hydrated and managing oily shine. To work even better for combination skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients that safely balance oil production and maintain moisture across both oily and dry areas.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step, and when you wear makeup, it follows a makeup remover in the evening. It helps wash away impurities while maintaining skin moisture, though combination skin often benefits more from cleansers that provide oil control and targeted pore care.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment in the evening routine. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation on your skin, but a cleanser of this type for combination skin needs soothing ingredients and barrier-restoring lipids to prevent dryness.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It gently washes away impurities while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable. Combination skin needs a cleanser with ingredients like glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine to clear away excess oil and impurities without stripping away essential moisture.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your combination skin, as it has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, a product for this skin needs stronger oil control and balancing ingredients to better manage oily shine.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it may feel too drying around the delicate eye area since the skin there is very thin. A cleanser for this skin needs extra gentle, deeply moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to protect the skin barrier.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hyaluronic Acid, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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How does it fit your skin?
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