Content created in partnership with Neutrogena

Beauty aficionado Harriet Pudney has been reporting on beauty trends, techniques and products for Stuff and other publications for 10+  years. Here, she puts Neutrogena Hydro Boost to the test.

You see a lot of creators at the moment making videos reappraising 2016 makeup trends. You remember: blocky, defined eyebrows, contour that could be seen from space, liquid matte lipsticks that cracked the minute you moved your mouth. It wasn’t all bad, but plenty of it was, and we’re far enough from it now that we can make that assessment. 

It’s had me thinking about the same era in terms of skincare. While things weren’t quite as bad back then as they were in 2012, when I first started paying attention to my skin in a serious way, there was definite room for improvement. The days of gritty, destructive physical exfoliants may have been behind us, but there was still a distinctly more-is-more vibe when it came to looking after your skin. The conventional wisdom was that everyone needed to be applying nuclear-strength retinol every night, that the more you layered your BHAs and AHAs the smoother and glowier your skin would be, and that generally you needed to be doing the most. 

Is it a coincidence this is around the time I learned what the skin’s moisture barrier is, and what happens when it’s impaired? It’s not. 

For 2024, I’m taking a much more minimal approach to my skincare. My watchword is hydration, my routine is simple, and I’m obviously still wearing sunscreen every single day. I truly believe that with that bit of protection, gentle but thorough cleansing, and a commitment to moisture, you’re very likely to be in a good spot.

Enter the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range. I’ve been using a couple of their products of late, and I’ve been rewarded with soft, smooth, and untroubled skin. I’d invite you to join me. 

First up is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. This moisturiser kind of looks like a glass of water in a cartoon, and it’s just as refreshing as you’d think. With hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and electrolytes, the brand says it’s been reformulated to deliver serious hydration (5x more hydration than untreated skin, in fact) and support your skin’s moisture barrier, and that’s very much what I’ve been seeing. My skin feels calm and hydrated, and looks bouncy and glowing, likely thanks to the natural moisturising factor complex which works in harmony with your skin. It’s a yes from me. 

Now, that’s a pretty solid choice on its own, but if you’re looking to take things up a notch - to introduce some actives into your routine without melting your face off, Raiders of the Lost Ark style, you might like to get around the New Neutrogena Hydro Boost Niacinamide Serum. 

Made with your friend and mine, hyaluronic acid, as well as 10% niacinamide, this one works to gently exfoliate your skin, encouraging cell turnover so the moisturising ingredients can get right in there. It also features neoglucosamine, to visibly plump the skin, which I am personally grateful for. This one has a lightweight feel and is gentle enough to use morning and night. I’ve found it’s playing very well under my makeup on work days. 

If you head onto social media you’ll find an infinite supply of self-appointed experts telling you you need to have a 15-step skincare routine, or you absolutely must be getting skin needling and laser treatments and medical-grade facials. All of that is available, and there if you want it, but I would suggest starting more simply, with products you can pick up at the chemist and which aim to support your skin rather than attack it. 

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost range is carefully formulated, and it has the actives you want, but it’s not trying to do too much. I would argue that’s a very strong plus. 

Visit Neutrogena for more information on Hydro Boost Water Gel and Hydro Boost  Niacinamide Serum or click here to purchase.