Neutrogena vs L'Oreal (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen Neutrogena Hydro Boost and L'Oreal Revitalift on the shelves at your local beauty store before. But which is best? And which should you choose?

Come with us as we compare these best-selling, award-winning lines side-by-side to help you decide which is the best for you and your skincare routine!

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost vs L'Oreal Revitalift Serum

Though both brands offer loads of different skincare products, let's be honest, we're all here for their best-selling hydrating products. So let's dive straight in!

A serum is a lightweight moisturizer that penetrates deeper to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin. With hydration in mind, this means that the deepest layers of the skin will be intensely hydrated, plumping up and firming the skin from within.

Two of the very best hydrating serums on the market are Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum and L'Oreal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum, but which is the better of the two?

As I'm sure you're well aware, Hyaluronic Acid has an unbelievable ability to retain moisture; in fact, it can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water! This simple-yet-powerful property is the reason why you see it listed under the 'Key Ingredients' section of nearly every skincare product these days (because it keeps skin very hydrated). Surprise, surprise, both the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Serum and the L'Oreal Revitalift Serum contain Hyaluronic Acid.

Fundamentally, both serums work in precisely the same manner. Each serum contains two different sizes of HA molecules (macro and micro). The larger molecules sit at the top of the skin's surface to boost surface hydration, while the smaller molecules penetrate deeper into the epidermis to boost hydration levels from deep within.

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Serum takes it one step further, though, with their aptly named 'Hydration Complex'. This includes Vitamin B5 (which stablizes your skin's barrier function, increasing the amount of water your skin holds on to) and more importantly, Trehalose, *another* magnet for water that mimics the sugars found in the Natural Moisturizing Factor of our skin.

And if all that wasn't enough, Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum is also around half the price of the L'Oreal Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

So, if you hadn't guessed already, our favorite is the Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The only exception is if you're looking for a brightening/anti-aging serum with Hyaluronic Acid, in which case the L'Oreal Hyaluronic Acid Serum *with Vitamin C* would be best.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost vs L'Oreal Revitalift Face Mask

Much like a serum, a sheet mask delivers active ingredients deep below the skin's surface thanks to the fact that they create a seal on your skin (which prevents the moisture and vitamins from escaping!).

For this match-up, we’ll be comparing Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask to L'Oreal Revitalift Overnight Face Mask.

First and foremost, while the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask is a sheet mask to be worn for 15-30 minutes, the L'Oreal Revitalift Overnight Mask is actually a cream to be worn, well... overnight.

Without trying to turn this comparison into a sheet mask vs cream mask debate, it has to be noted that sheet masks improve absorption of active ingredients, whereas cream masks can contain more active ingredients overall. Your preference here will be a big factor when it comes to deciding between the two.

Further to this point, Neutrogena's Hydrogel Mask is geared entirely towards hydration, with the only active ingredient being skin-quenching Hyaluronic Acid, and the mask being made out of a unique hydrogel material that enhances hydration. L'Oreal's Revitalift Overnight Mask on the other hand contains multiple actives (thanks to it being a cream mask), namely: Hyaluronic Acid (hydrating), Vitamin C (brightening), Pro-Retinol (anti-aging).

Evidently, if you're purely looking for a hydration boost, you will be better served with Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask. However, if you are looking to visibly reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging, the L'Oreal Revitalift Overnight Mask is the one for you.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost vs L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer

Finally, the moisturizers. They beautifully round off the Hydro Boost and Revitalift lines and enhance the effects of their respective serums and sheet masks.

For this match-up, we’ll be comparing Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer to the L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer.

The most glaring similarity between the two is their keen focus on the moisture barrier. While there’s plenty of great moisturisers out there that quickly and effectively bind moisture to the skin, surprisingly few address the actual root cause of dryness, dullness, and dehydration: a weakened or damaged moisture barrier. Both Neutrogena’s and L'Oreal’s moisturisers contain dermatologist-recommended ingredients that actively work to strengthen your skin’s natural protective barrier so as to enhance your skin’s ability to retain hydration, consequently yielding that coveted radiant glow we all yearn to attain.

The similarities just about end there, though, since - once again - the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer is primarily focussed on delivering hydration benefits, whereas the L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer delivers anti-aging benefits thanks to the inclusion of Pro-Retinol and Vitamin C.

Ideally, you should pick the moisturizer that will best complement your full skincare routine. So if you're already committed to the L'Oreal Revitalift range (i.e. if you're seeking anti-aging benefits), then the L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer is the one for you (and vice versa for the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer). However, if you're looking for a standalone moisturizer, you'll be better off choosing the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer, as it contains more well-rounded moisturizing benefits.

This article was originally published on May 5th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 5th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.