Dr.Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum vs Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum

Dr.Althea

0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

Neutrogena

Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum

A serum built around Panthenol and Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A serum built around Lactic acid and Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

Serum

32 ingredients

30 ingredients

Brand price

USD 23.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

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Brand from United States

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At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Bakuchiol1
A plant-derived ingredient studied as a retinol alternative.
Bakuchiol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc Gluconate
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Sodium Lactate
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Borago Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salvia Sclarea Extract
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract

Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Olivate, Copper Gluconate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propylene Glycol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Zinc Gluconate
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol

Concerns

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance
May Worsen Eczema2
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Fragrance

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dibutyl Adipate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Anticaking
0-1 / —
Isododecane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →