Based on my own experience, the best Clinique Moisture Surge dupe is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost GEL CREAM (NOT the water gel version. Read more about the difference below).
In 2019, my face was the DRIEST it had ever been. I was battling severe cystic adult acne, and as a result, was throwing every chemical at my face—Dapsone, Benzoyl Peroxide, sulfur masks, you name it. My face was SO DRY I couldn’t even SMILE. It would crack and bleed. It was awful.
My face skin desperately needed moisture, especially Hyaluronic Acid because that helps seal moisture in. But the problem was, I couldn’t find a moisturizer that was FRAGRANCE-FREE. This was important because my face was so irritated that fragrances/perfumes made it worse.
I was relieved to finally find Clinique Moisture Surge. It’s oil-free, fragrance free, contains Hyaluronic Acid, and saved my skin! But…the problem is that it’s $40. I go through one container per month, so $40 a month on face moisturizer was out of my budget.
Thankfully, after some research, I was able to find a Clinique Moisture Surge dupe that is also fragrance-free, oil-free, contains Hyaluronic Acid, and keeps my extra dry skin super supple and hydrated—and it costs HALF of what Clinique Moisture Surge costs!
So if you’ve been itching to find a Clinique Moisture Surge alternative, read on for my full review.
What is comparable to Clinique Moisture Surge?
If you’re looking for a Clinique Moisture Surge knock off, try the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. I think it is very comparable to Clinique Moisture Surge, as it is oil-free, fragrance-free, has HA, and has the same consistency/texture.
The only difference that I can detect between the two is that the Clinique Moisture Surge leaves a dewy glow on your skin, while the Neutrogena Hydro Boost absorbs really well and does not leave any sheen.
Let’s break down the differences below:
Clinique Moisture Surge vs Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
When you compare Clinique Moisture Surge and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream side by side, you’ll see there’s really only TWO major differences: Clinique Moisture Surge has dye, while Neutrogena Hydro Boost does not. Also, Neutrogena Hydro Boost is about HALF the price of Clinique Moisture Surge.
Given these key differences, I actually think Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is better!
Note about Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream’s claim to being “oil free.” Technically speaking, Sorbitan Olivate is listed as an ingredient and it is based on olive oil and sorbitol. However, Neutrogena Hydro Boost is non-comedogenic, and it has not caused me to break out. Also, Cetearyl Olivate is listed as an ingredient, and it is made from cetearyl alcohol and fatty acids of olive oil.
| Clinique Moisture Surge | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream | |
| Gel cream | ✅ | ✅ |
| Contains Hyaluronic Acid | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fragrance-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dye-free | â›”ï¸ | ✅ |
| Oil-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alcohol-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| Size | 1.7 oz | 1.7 oz |
| Retail Price | $39.50 | $21.49 |
I buy my Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream on Amazon, as it’s usually a few dollars cheaper! This is the best place to order it, in my opinion.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel vs Gel Cream
This is important: Do NOT be fooled. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is DIFFERENT from the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Extra Dry Gel Cream.
Sadly, the packaging looks almost exactly the same, so you need to be careful. The correct one (Neutrogena Hydro Boost Extra Dry Gel Cream) has:
- A white bar on the front of the blue container that says “Gel-Cream Extra-Dry”
- Beneath that white bar, it will also say “Fragrance Free”
- You can also check the back and it will say “fragrance free” and the ingredients list will NOT have any fragrances in it.
The MAJOR difference between the Water Gel and Gel Cream is that the Gel Cream is fragrance free, while the Water Gel has fragrance.
| Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream | |
| Consistency | Water Gel | Gel Cream |
| Contains Hyaluronic Acid | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fragrance-free | â›”ï¸ | ✅ |
| Dye-free | â›”ï¸ | ✅ |
| Oil-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alcohol-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| Size | 1.7 oz | 1.7 oz |
| Retail Price | $21.49 | $21.49 |
Is Clinique Moisture Surge worth it?
Look, if I had $40 to drop every month on my face moisturizer, I’d go ahead and buy Clinique Moisture Surge because I like the extra dewy sheen it gives off. However, when there is a product that is just as good for half the price, I stick with it (Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream).
Is Neutrogena as good as Clinique?
In this case, yes, I do believe the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is just as good as the Clinique Moisture Surge. It might even be better.
Save Money with This Clinique Moisture Surge Dupe!
Yes, I have used BOTH the Clinique Moisture Surge and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream, and I honestly think the Neutrogena Gel Cream is the best Clinique Moisture Surge dupe! I’ve been using this dupe since 2019, and my skin has never been more moisturized. It has even helped get rid of some wrinkles!
Again, the only difference I can detect on my skin is that the Clinique version leaves a shiny sheen, while the Neutrogena one does not. So it’s really up to you if that’s important to you.