Neutrogena
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Low risk78/100
Neutrogena
Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator
Some ingredients carry a low-risk flag. Read the formulation context before deciding.
17 of 17 ingredients rated
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator as Low risk (74/100). Review the ingredient context and any manual-review explanation before deciding.
Why this rating?
The recorded formula includes 4 ingredient entries with risk flags: Dimethicone (Low risk), Polyacrylamide (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk), plus others listed in the breakdown. These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.
17 of 17 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Phenoxyethanol
Low risk
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Dimethicone
Low risk
Dimethicone is a silicone polymer used as a skin protectant and slip/conditioning agent. It is considered inert with minimal dermal absorption; the main practical issues are cosmetic (feel) and occasional irritation in very sensitive users. It is not a pregnancy-specific concern in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Dimethicone, Methicone, and Substituted-Methicone Polymers as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-dimethicone-methicone-and-substituted-methicone-polymers-2
Polyacrylamide
Low risk
A high-molecular-weight polymer used as a film former, binder and texture ingredient. Cosmetic-grade polyacrylamide is considered safe when residual acrylamide monomer is tightly controlled. MamaSkin classifies it as low risk because safety depends on manufacturing controls for the hazardous residual monomer, rather than because the finished polymer is a known pregnancy-specific hazard.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment and Re-Review of Polyacrylamide https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/RR_Polyacrylamide.pdf; EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, Annex III residual acrylamide limits https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32009R1223
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Low risk
This ingredient is a dimethicone crosspolymer covered by CIR's crosspolymer assessment. CIR concluded the reviewed crosspolymers safe as used in cosmetics. That conclusion is based on polymer chemistry and cosmetic-use safety data, not human pregnancy studies for every named crosspolymer. MamaSkin retains Low Risk; finished-product irritation remains formulation-dependent.
Sources: CIR: Safety assessment of dimethicone crosspolymers https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-dimethicone-crosspolymers-used-cosmetics
Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Show all 17 ingredients
Glycerin
No known risks
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Niacinamide
No known risks
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is widely used for barrier support and tone/texture benefits, and is generally considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used topically at cosmetic concentrations.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Zea Mays Starch
No known risks
Corn starch, a plant-derived polysaccharide used to absorb moisture, reduce greasiness and improve texture. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that ingredients derived from Zea mays, including corn starch, are safe in current cosmetic use. No pregnancy-specific concern is identified for normal topical exposure; avoid deliberately inhaling loose powder.
Sources: CIR ingredient review: Zea mays (Corn) Starch https://www.cir-safety.org/ingredient/zea-mays-corn-starch
Panthenol
No known risks
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) is used for soothing and barrier support and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Cetearyl Olivate
No known risks
Emollient ester/emulsifier used to improve skin feel and stabilise emulsions. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support topical cosmetic use; the relevant practical caveat is formulation irritation potential rather than a pregnancy-specific concern.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics; CIR Quick Reference Table (Cetearyl Olivate); EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
C13-14 Isoparaffin
No known risks
A purified branched hydrocarbon used as an emollient, solvent and texture agent. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed isoparaffins, including C13-14 isoparaffin, are safe in current practices of use and concentration.
Sources: CIR: Isoparaffins conclusion, IJT 31(Suppl. 3), 2012; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Sorbitan Olivate
No known risks
Olive-derived sorbitan ester used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic safety references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Esters as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Caprylyl Glycol
No known risks
Humectant and preservative booster used to support product stability. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)
Ethylhexylglycerin
No known risks
Preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure when used as intended.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)
Carbomer
No known risks
Polymer thickener used to create gel textures. Large-molecule ingredient with negligible systemic absorption.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Laureth-7
No known risks
An ethoxylated fatty alcohol used mainly as an emulsifier, surfactant or solubiliser. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that alkyl PEG/PPG ethers are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating. Manufacturing controls should limit residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG/PPG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-alkyl-peg/ppg-ethers-used-cosmetics
Sodium Hydroxide
No known risks
pH adjuster used in very small quantities to balance formulations. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Full recorded ingredient list
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Zea Mays Starch, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator have a Low risk rating?
The recorded formula includes 4 ingredient entries with risk flags: Dimethicone (Low risk), Polyacrylamide (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk), plus others listed in the breakdown. These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
Does the niacinamide rating cover every ingredient in this product?
No. Niacinamide appears in the recorded formula, but its individual rating applies to that ingredient, not automatically to the whole product. Check the other ingredient ratings, any grey Not assessed entries and the stored product assessment. A niacinamide percentage or a product name is not a substitute for checking the full list.
Has every ingredient in Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator been assessed?
17 of 17 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Does this assessment apply to my Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
