Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is one of the most loved moisturisers in the skincare world. The affordable moisturiser is designed to lock in long-lasting and intense hydration. But who’s to say there aren’t even better moisturisers out there?
The K-beauty iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is supposed to be a dupe for the popular Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. I’ve tried the Korean moisturiser before and fell in love with it. But I’ve only recently tried the Neutrogena cream and wanted to know whether iUNIK’s cream is a worthy dupe.
This post explores whether the iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is a good dupe for the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream and which moisturiser comes out on top. Keep reading for a look at the ingredients, texture, price points, and efficacy, as these 2 moisturisers go head to head!
Use my code CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off YesStyle. For new customers, use the code YESSTYLE for 10% off with a minimum £28.70 ($35 USD) purchase. Shop the Neutrogena dupe.
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About Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is a gel-based moisturiser that is designed to deliver refreshing hydration for up to 72 hours. Enriched with water-binding ingredients, this cream is supposed to nourish your skin’s barrier, lock in moisture, and deliver a supple, dewy finish.
About iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
The iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream claims to be a lightweight, soothing, and refreshing gel-based moisturiser. Infused with centella leaf water and tea tree leaf water, this moisturiser is designed to calm, nourish, and brighten the skin. It’s oil-free and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The comparison
Price
The price points of the moisturisers are very similar. iUNIK offers slightly better value for money, costing £14.87 for 60ml. Neutrogena retails for £14.25 for 50ml. But YesStyle frequently has discounts online, meaning you can pick up the iUNIK cream for much less.
Packaging
The moisturisers have quite different packaging. Neutrogena comes in a typical pot, which is made from glass and 100% recyclable. iUNIK comes in a squeezy tube.
iUNIK is more hygienic and you can easily control how much product comes out, while Neutrogena provides the satisfaction of seeing how much product is left in the pot. Which packaging is better depends on your personal preference.
Ingredients
This is the key part when looking at skincare dupes: how do the INCI lists compare? iUNIK has a much longer INCI list, but let’s start with the ingredients that feature in both moisturisers.
Both contain the emollient dimethicone, the hydrating hyaluronic acid derivative sodium hyaluronate, and the humectant ethylhexylglycerin. But that’s just about where the similarities end.
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel Cream is enriched with hydrating glycerin, water-binding trehalose, the emollient dimethiconol, cleansing agent sorbitan olivate, among others.
iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream features some more standout ingredients, like antioxidant superstar centella asiatica leaf water, soothing tea tree leaf extract, the humectant butylene glycol, and niacinamide, which is a powerhouse ingredient that reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, regulates sebum production, improve skin texture, and make skin more radiant.
Texture
These 2 moisturisers offer different textures.
iUNIK is a typical gel moisturiser. It’s thicker than a serum but is lightweight and highly absorbent. There’s no greasiness or creaminess.
Neutrogena is more like a traditional moisturiser. Despite being called a gel-cream, this is a very lightweight cream formula that melts quickly into the skin.
On the bottom: iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream
How they feel on the skin
The iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream feels so nice on the skin. It’s cooling, calming, and feels like a quenching drink for the skin. You can feel instant hydration, and it absorbs almost instantly. It’s super comfortable and doesn’t make my oily skin feel greasy. It doesn’t pill and works beautifully with other skincare products. Thanks to its very lightweight formula, you can easily layer multiple serums under this moisturiser without it feeling too rich.
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream also feels lovely on the skin. It’s richer, nourishing, and hydrating. Despite being creamier, this moisturiser is still lightweight and very absorbent. There’s no greasiness, and it feels comfortable on my skin. This moisturiser would be great for makeup prep, as it makes your complexion feel smooth, soft, and supple, so makeup would glide over the top without clinging to dry patches or texture.
Effectiveness
Honestly, these moisturisers are highly effective. I put iUNIK on one side of my face and Neutrogena on the other, and I could hardly tell any difference.
Both kept my skin equally hydrated throughout the day and gave my skin the same glow. They felt light, refreshing, and nourishing. They worked very well with other products in my skincare routine, with no pilling and greasiness.
As for the differences, there’s only 1: iUNIK is noticeably more soothing, while Neutrogena is richer.
Honest thoughts on the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream dupe
While not identical, I think iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is a pretty good dupe for the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. They deliver excellent hydration that lasts all day and leaves my skin feeling comfortable and non-greasy. Both make my skin feel plump and look dewy. You wouldn’t be able to tell that I’m wearing 2 different moisturisers!
I use iUNIK in the day, as the gel formula works really well with other skincare products and means I can get away with layering more serums. Neutrogena is a lovely night cream option, as it’s a thicker and richer, so I can apply it liberally without worrying that I’ll look oily.
iUNIK is my fave. If I have a rosacea flare-up, it instantly soothes my skin and visibly reduces any redness. Plus, I love how refreshing it feels on my skin. It’s an absolute winner!
Use my code CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off YesStyle. For new customers, use the code YESSTYLE for 10% off with a minimum £28.70 ($35 USD) purchase. Shop the Neutrogena dupe.
Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 5 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.
I like having different textures so that I can have a thicker or lighter moisturiser depending on the day and my skin. Sounds like I could use both of these!