3 Skin Types, 1 Highly-Rated Serum: We Put This Hyaluronic Acid Serum To The Test

If there’s one skincare routine step you should never skip, it’s serum. Lightweight yet oh so potent, it is undoubtedly a hardworking beauty product. 

 With so many different serum options on the market, it can be tricky deciding on The One. What works for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. A serum that is suitable for all or most skin types is rare to find – until we came across the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum. 

Based on reviews on the Neutrogena US website, this highly-rated serum works for most, if not all, skin types. That’s because the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum boasts a deeply nourishing and gentle formulation that targets a major skin concern many of us face: dehydration.

Photo from Neutrogena

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Like its name suggests, the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum offers a boost of much-needed hydration to even the thirstiest skin. 

But don’t let its lightweight formula fool you; this daily serum is a heavy-hitter when it comes to delivering weightless hydration into your skin’s deeper layers. It is specially formulated with hydrating ingredients: micro and macro hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5, and dermatologist-recommended glycerin. Together, these three humectants work to provide a 17% hydrating complex that is easily absorbed into the skin. In addition, prebiotics also help to boost skin renewal and recovery.

With these impressive factors in mind, three members of the GirlStyle team decided to test out the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum for one week. The catch? We each have a different skin type: oily, combination, and sensitive.

3 skin types, 1 serum: does it live up to all the hype? Read on to find out our honest takes on the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum and why we’re adding this hydrating serum to our skincare routines.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Shairah, Project Editor

“Confession: I am a long-time member of the oily skin club. Since my teenage years, I have battled with occasional acne and an oily t-zone that can never seem to stay matte, no matter how many times I blot it throughout the day.

As a self-professed skincare minimalist, I have always kept my routine to the bare essentials and avoided any products that seemed too rich. Serums, rich creams, and sheet masks? These were all no-nos in my book. For years, I’ve had very little success in finding products that would not cause breakouts or turn my face into an oil slick.

So it was with trepidation that I tested the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum. To my surprise, it was exactly what my oily, dehydrated skin was craving for. Unlike some serums which can feel overly rich,  the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum has a wonderfully light and watery texture. I was most impressed by how quickly it absorbed into my skin, leaving a dewy but not greasy finish. 

At first, I found it bothersome to add one more step to my skincare routine. But after a week of testing the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum, I can safely say that it’s worth the effort. Not only does my skin feel softer and more hydrated, it is also visibly plumper. And as for my pesky t-zone? All that excess shine has visibly reduced and I can now happily put away all my oil blotting sheets. The skin minimalist in me also loves the serum’s lightweight texture, which makes it perfect for everyday use.”

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Jayme, Digital Editor

“I have suffered from eczema for many years. Due to stress and mask-wearing, it exacerbated during the pandemic – spreading from my arms to my cheeks, jawline, and forehead. As someone with dry and occasionally flaky skin, I struggle to find hydrating products that do not irritate or inflame my eczema. As such, I’ve always taken a careful, no-frills approach to skincare with only the basics: a gentle cleanser and light moisturiser.

I was game to try the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum once I knew about its non-comedogenic formula that is free from parabens and added fragrance. What’s more, hyaluronic acid is also said to be incredibly hydrating for dry, sensitive skin like mine. At first, I particularly enjoyed how refreshing and lightweight it felt on my skin. Within minutes of application, the dry and ‘tight’ feeling of my skin subsided – instead, it felt like my skin was enveloped in a silky, smooth veil of hydration.

Just a few days into testing, I noticed a difference in my skin. The redness around my cheeks had visibly improved and after one week, the dry, flakey patches around my problem areas had reduced too. Even though I still get flare-ups from time to time, the serum has helped immensely by nourishing it with the hydration it needs.”

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Sophie, Associate Managing Editor

“Combination skin is arguably the trickiest skin type to deal with. I have an oily t-zone and chin, while the other areas of my face sometimes resemble a desert. As such, it can be a pain finding skincare products with the perfect balance – ones that address oiliness without exacerbating the dryness in my skin.

After years of dealing with combination skin, I was keen to try the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum because of its key ingredient: hyaluronic acid. Lightweight yet powerful, this moisture-binding ingredient is known for its ability to balance the skin and deliver essential hydration without stimulating excess oil production. 

The first thing I noticed after applying the serum was how quickly it absorbed into my skin, without leaving a sticky or greasy texture. Because of my combination skin, I made sure to apply a thicker layer of the serum onto the dry parts of my skin to give them extra love and an added boost of hydration.

One week into testing, I started to notice subtle changes to my skin. My skin looked more plump and smooth. I still occasionally experience some patches of dryness and oiliness but I’ve noticed that my makeup lasts longer (without any patchiness) around my problem areas, thanks to this serum. Suffice to say: the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum is one of my new favourite serums.”  

Photo from Neutrogena

For double the hydration: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

Hydration is the cornerstone of good skincare, so why not double up on the goodness with a nourishing Water Gel from Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost range?

The new and improved Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel contains 20% more hyaluronic acid than its previous iteration, thus offering five times more hydration. As a result, you can expect your skin’s moisture barrier to strengthen by 80%*!

What makes the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel so powerful is its trio of ingredients; it contains hyaluronic acid, electrolytes, and nine different types of amino acids to ​​give you hydrated, plump and supple skin in as little as four weeks.

Just like the serum, the Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel boasts an incredibly lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin to leave a smooth, supple finish that is not greasy or sticky. Whether for day or night, the gel texture formula of this lightweight moisturiser makes it perfect for daily use.

*Compared to untreated control. Based on clinical study done on 27 participants in December 2021 to January 2022 in the USA.

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost range is available at FairPrice, Guardian, Watsons, and at the official Johnson & Johnson stores on Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon.

This post is brought to you by Neutrogena.