Ultra Gentle Daily Facial Moisturizer
Ultra Gentle Daily Facial Moisturizer
Product Description
Product overview
A lightweight, fragrance-free daily moisturizer from Neutrogena, built for sensitive and reactive skin. It pairs CICA (Centella Asiatica) with a multivitamin complex of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to calm redness, reinforce the skin barrier and hydrate — without clogging pores or leaving a greasy finish.
CICA Soothing Complex
Centella Asiatica (CICA) helps calm redness and comfort reactive, easily irritated skin.
Texture & feel
SENSORYCICA Soothing Complex
Centella Asiatica (CICA) helps calm redness and comfort reactive, easily irritated skin.
Multivitamin Formula
Vitamins B3 (Niacinamide), B5 (Panthenol) and E work together to condition and protect skin.
Lightweight & Non-Greasy
Absorbs quickly and sits comfortably under makeup or sunscreen without a heavy feel.
Barrier Support
Glycerin and dimethicone help reinforce the skin's moisture barrier and reduce water loss.
Safety & compatibility
SAFEThis fragrance-free version has no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical UV filters. Niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin and CICA are generally considered safe — confirm with your doctor.
Contains fatty acids (stearic, palmitic) and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which can feed Malassezia yeast. Not recommended if you are managing fungal acne.
Free of fragrance, dyes, parabens and phthalates, and formulated specifically for skin that runs red, tight or uncomfortable.
Pairs well with most actives. Apply after serums (vitamin C, retinol, AHA/BHA) and let them absorb first; it can actually help buffer irritation.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSNiacinamide (Vitamin B3) ~2–4%Proven
The star multitasker of the formula. Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, helps regulate oil, visibly evens tone and is well tolerated even by sensitive, reactive skin.
- Source: Clinical research shows topical niacinamide improves barrier function and reduces trans-epidermal water loss.
- Source: Studies report a visible reduction in blotchiness and uneven tone with consistent use over several weeks.
Centella Asiatica Extract (CICA) ~1%Proven
A soothing botanical rich in madecassoside and asiaticoside. CICA is prized for calming redness, comforting irritated skin and supporting the skin's natural repair process.
- Source: Centella compounds have documented anti-inflammatory and wound-healing-supportive properties in dermatology research.
- Source: Frequently used in post-procedure and sensitive-skin care for its barrier-calming effect.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) ~1%Proven
Converts to Vitamin B5 in the skin and acts as both a humectant and a soothing agent, helping skin feel softer, calmer and better hydrated.
- Source: Panthenol is shown to improve skin hydration and support barrier recovery.
- Source: Has anti-irritant properties that help reduce the feeling of tightness and discomfort.
Glycerin ~5–8%Proven
The gold-standard humectant. Glycerin draws water into the upper layers of the skin and is one of the best-studied hydrators in skincare.
- Source: Decades of research confirm glycerin's role in improving skin hydration and barrier function.
- Source: Skin-identical and non-irritating, making it ideal for sensitive formulas.
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) <1%Promising
A stable form of Vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant, helping defend skin against daily environmental aggressors such as pollution.
- Source: Vitamin E is a recognised lipophilic antioxidant that supports the skin's defence against oxidative stress.
- Source: Often paired with other antioxidants to enhance overall protection.
22 ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid.
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEApply after lighter water-based serums and before any heavier face oils or sunscreen. Suitable for both morning and night.
How to use
HOW TO USECleanse
Wash with a gentle cleanser and lightly pat skin so it's clean and barely damp.
Apply Treatments
Layer any serums or actives first (vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol) and let them absorb.
Moisturize
Smooth a pea-to-dime amount evenly over face and neck. Reapply morning and night.
Protect (AM)
In the daytime, always follow with a broad-spectrum SPF as the final step.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin
- You want lightweight daily hydration that won't clog pores
- You prefer fragrance-free, drugstore-priced formulas
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding and want a simple, safe moisturizer
- You have normal, combination or oily skin
Consider alternatives if:
- You're managing fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis)
- You have very dry skin needing a rich, occlusive cream
- You want a built-in SPF (choose the SPF 30 version instead)
- You prefer to avoid silicones (this contains dimethicone)
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESLightweight and non-greasy; hydrates without adding shine or feeling heavy.
Balances hydration across oily and drier zones without overwhelming either.
Fragrance-free with calming CICA; patch test first if your skin is very reactive.
Non-comedogenic and oil-free, but note it is not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe.
Comfortable hydration, but very dry skin may need a richer cream layered on top.
Results timeline
8–12 WEEKSComfort & Hydration
Skin instantly feels softer, calmer and less tight after application.
~85% noticedReduced Redness
Reactive skin looks calmer and the barrier begins to feel stronger and less irritable.
~60% noticedSmoother, More Even Tone
Niacinamide helps refine texture and visibly even out blotchiness over time.
~45% noticedMore Resilient Barrier
With consistent use, skin becomes better equipped to handle daily environmental aggressors.
~40% noticedRatings by platform
3K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Genuinely gentle and fragrance-free for sensitive skin
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy
- Smart CICA + multivitamin formula at a low price
- Non-comedogenic; works well under makeup and SPF
- Pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly
Criticized
- Not hydrating enough for very dry skin
- Not fungal-acne safe (fatty acids + triglyceride)
- Contains silicone (dimethicone), which some prefer to avoid
- Can pill when layered with certain products
- Relatively small 3.4 fl oz size
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESEqually lightweight, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Swaps CICA for ceramides + hyaluronic acid and comes in a much larger size, but has no niacinamide.
Made for very sensitive skin with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and squalane. Slightly richer feel and free of common irritants, but lacks CICA and niacinamide.
A simpler, barrier-support hydrator at the lowest price. Very gentle and fragrance-free, but plainer — no soothing CICA or brightening niacinamide.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEStorage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening (12M symbol on packaging)
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep the cap closed.
Squeeze tube with flip-top cap
Yes — 100 ml, carry-on compliant
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes. This fragrance-free version contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreen filters. Its key ingredients — niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin and Centella Asiatica — are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As always, confirm any product with your own doctor.
No. It contains fatty acids (stearic acid and palmitic acid) and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which can feed the Malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne. If you are managing fungal acne or malassezia folliculitis, you should choose a moisturizer formulated without these ingredients.
Yes. It is a gentle base moisturizer that layers well over most actives. Apply your treatment first, let it absorb, then apply the moisturizer. When used with stronger acids or retinoids, it can actually help buffer irritation and keep skin comfortable.
It performs best on oily, combination, normal and sensitive skin thanks to its lightweight, non-greasy texture. Very dry or dehydrated skin may find it lacks richness and need to layer a heavier cream on top.
Hydration and comfort are immediate. Reduced redness typically appears within 1–2 weeks, with smoother, more even tone and a stronger-feeling barrier developing over roughly 4–8 weeks of consistent twice-daily use.
Apply it after cleansing and any serums or treatments, and before face oils or sunscreen. Use it both morning and night. In the daytime, always finish with a broad-spectrum SPF.
It is marketed as non-comedogenic and rates low (about 1 out of 5). Most acne-prone users tolerate it well and report it does not clog pores. The one caveat is that it is not suitable for those specifically dealing with fungal acne.
Around 12 months after opening, indicated by the 12M Period-After-Opening symbol on the packaging. Store it in a cool, dry place and keep the cap closed to maintain freshness.
Verdict: A genuinely gentle, well-formulated daily moisturizer that punches above its drugstore price. The CICA + Niacinamide + B5 + E combination soothes reactive skin while staying lightweight and non-greasy — making it ideal for sensitive, oily and combination skin, and safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. The main caveats are that it isn't rich enough for very dry skin and is not fungal-acne safe. For everyday sensitive-skin hydration on a budget, it's an easy recommendation.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Dicaprylyl Ether
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming, Emollient
|
|
|
| 1 |
Niacinamide
Skin Conditioning, Hair Conditioning, Smoothing
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Redness
Irritation
Dark Spots
Pores
|






