Study Shows Affordable, OTC SkinCare Offers Benefits After Noninvasive Aesthetic Procedures

To meet continued demand for nonenergy and nonablative dermatologic procedures, clinicians must be prepared to recommend products that minimize treatment-induced irritation—and, thus, patient downtime.

Although many clinicians suggest a gentle regimen including a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen for support after these noninvasive procedures—which can reverse signs of aging, pigmentation, and acne scars¹—patients sometimes report that traditional occlusive topicals leave unsightly residues on their skin, reducing willingness to adhere to treatment.

That was the impetus for my recent study exploring 3 over-the-counter products designed to soothe and protect skin when used together as a periprocedural care protocol.²

We selected Neutrogena HydroBoost (Kenvue) products based on previous studies demonstrating that the solutions were well tolerated and improved the appearance of skin in a diverse cohort of individuals with rosacea, eczema, acne, and cosmetic intolerance syndrome.

In our study in the aesthetic periprocedural setting, presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Annual Meeting in November 2025, we found that patients were pleased with the products across a host of benchmarks—an outcome we consider the most important metric and one that has implications for the larger dermatology community. While the tested solutions did not necessarily improve the efficacy of these common procedures, they were shown to boost tolerability, which is meaningful for several reasons. Soothing the skin can support not only patient adherence and aesthetic outcomes but, ultimately, continued demand for energy-based and non-energy-based cosmetic procedures.

EXPLORING THE STUDY’S DESIGN
Our study enrolled 30 women aged 22 to 55 who were ethnically diverse and had a range of skin tones spanning Fitzpatrick types I through VI. Every participant was scheduled to receive 1 of 3 procedure types: fractional laser treatment (Fraxel Laser System, Solta Medical), percutaneous collagen induction therapy (microneedling without radiofrequency), or a superficial chemical peel. Each of the 3 cohorts included 10 patients.

Participants started self-administering the studied products 1 week pre-procedure and continued to use them for at least 2 weeks afterward, with researchers examining their skin at 6 time points along the way.

The periprocedural regimen included Neutrogena HydroBoost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance-Free (Kenvue), used in the morning and evening; Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Cream Fragrance Free Moisturizer (Kenvue), also used twice a day; and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 (Kenvue), applied in the morning only.

The study’s endpoints were tolerability and efficacy, rated by myself (as the principal investigator) and patients, with ranking systems including a patient self-assessment questionnaire, an investigator concordance assessment, and full-face imaging utilizing infrared technology. To determine those outcomes, we evaluated changing levels of erythema, edema, burning, itching, stinging, tightness, and dryness after procedures. To assess whether the topicals supported the efficacy of the aesthetic treatments, we also tracked improvements in skin tone, surface roughness, and dullness.

ANALYZING THE RESULTS
Beyond the products being well tolerated and causing no significant increases in irritation, we found that they reduced erythema by 21%, burning by 86%, and stinging by 74% within 1 day postprocedure (P<.05). Within 7 days postprocedure, the women in the laser and microneedling cohorts demonstrated significant reductions in erythema.

We also found that the regimen supported desired procedural outcomes. Investigators observed a 12% improvement in skin tone and a 30% improvement in texture 7 days after aesthetic treatments (P<.05).

In their self-assessments, patients rated the Neutrogena regimen as highly favorable, with 86% reporting that it reduced downtime, 80% saying it optimized results, 83% finding that it comforted skin, and 77% believing it provided a more pleasant experience immediately following their procedure. In the cohort that underwent a laser procedure, 100% of participants agreed that the products helped reduce downtime, 90% agreed that the regimen helped them stay consistent with post-procedure care, 80% agreed that their skin felt more resilient and restored, and 80% agreed that the topicals eased discomfort caused by the aesthetic treatment.

Overall, patients reported that their skin looked and felt increasingly healthy throughout their post-procedure recovery, and via photography, we gained visual confirmation that erythema was reduced and skin improved in quality, tone, and texture across those 14 days.

In retrospect, 97% of patients agreed that the products we used were suitable for use following a procedure, and many also agreed that the routine helped optimize their results.

Figs 1-3. Participants' skin 7 days prior to laser treatment, on the day of treatment, 7 days post treatment, and 14 days post treatment.

CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS
The previous studies that prompted my team to investigate these products, published in 2024 and 2025, demonstrated that the solutions soothed and improved the appearance of sensitive skin in a diverse population of patients.^3,4

One of the studies demonstrated that HydroBoost Hydrating Gel Cleanser (Kenvue), a polymeric surfactant prepared as a foaming solution to align with patient preferences, was well tolerated in individuals with sensitive skin and sparked considerable reduction in stinging, itching, burning, tightness, and overall sensitivity at both 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.05). Both patients and investigators also reported that the cleanser improved smoothness, softness, clarity, radiance, and overall skin appearance at those same time points (P<0.05).³

The other study showed that HydroBoost Water Cream Fragrance Free Moisturizer, a long-lasting, lightweight solution containing essential lipids, improved skin barrier strength, skin tolerability, and quality of life with favorable aesthetics in patients who had atopic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, or cosmetic intolerance syndrome.⁴

In our periprocedural study, we included both the cleanser and the moisturizer in our regimen and added the sunscreen because of its SPF of 70, which provides a high level of protection against skin-aging and cancer-causing ultraviolet A radiation.

We particularly appreciate that all 3 HydroBoost solutions are drugstore products, typically priced at less than $30 each. This makes them more cost-effective than several solutions from other brands, including a serum retailing at $225 for 1 fluid ounce and a 4-product periprocedural kit priced at $306.

Affordability is key in this setting because it democratizes access to periprocedural skincare. While the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported in 2024 that the frequency of aesthetic procedures had remained constant despite economic challenges,5 reports suggest that patients may experience heightened financial stressors in 2026.^6,7 That could make the financial accessibility of periprocedural care even more desirable—especially when less expensive products have demonstrated favorable results.

LOOKING AHEAD
With demand continuing for non-energy and non-ablative aesthetic procedures, practitioners must be prepared to recommend safe and effective products that support healing and good outcomes in the periprocedural setting—ideally without adding much extra expense for patients.

The products that bring the most value will work well across a patient population that is diverse in age, ethnicity, and skin sensitivity. Our findings demonstrate that Neutrogena’s HydroBoost (Kenvue) products, in addition to being suitable for everyday care, can support the needs of patients undergoing noninvasive aesthetic procedures, and that makes them excellent additions to the dermatologist’s and aesthetician’s toolboxes.

But where should we go from here?

The time is right for researchers to build on our findings by continuing to test affordable, science-backed solutions in patients undergoing fractional laser treatment, percutaneous collagen induction therapy, or superficial chemical peels.

In so doing, their most important goal should be to capture patient insights and prioritize them as data points to be evaluated alongside investigator-observed outcomes. With that strategy at the forefront, dermatologists and product developers will be sure to find the most meaningful solutions for the patients who rely on us to provide safe, effective, and life-changing care. 

Disclosure: The study discussed in this article was sponsored by Kenvue, with products chosen in collaboration with Dr. Lain.

1. Lain E, Andriessen A, Campos V, et al. A practical algorithm for integrated skincare with nonenergy and injectable facial treatment to improve patient outcomes. Presented at: 9th Annual Masters of Aesthetics Symposium; August 25-27, 2023; San Diego, CA. https://tinyurl.com/ycx77k34

2. Lain E, Zaleski E, Shyr T, Adenaike A, Rossi L, Miller D. Supporting aesthetic outcomes: the role of NEUTROGENA® HydroBoost in periprocedural skincare for non-energy and nonablative dermatologic treatments. Presented at: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting; November 13-16, 2025; Chicago, IL. https://tinyurl.com/yjpnbd6d

3. Draelos ZD, Hussain R, Smith H, Shyr T, Tierney NK. Efficacy and tolerance of a polymeric surfactant technology–based cleanser for clinically diagnosed sensitive skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(10):889-893. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2024.8510.

4. Bernhardt KT, Zaleski E, Li WH. Skin barrier benefits of a natural moisturizing factor and lipids–based moisturizer for clinically sensitive skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(10):1029-1035. doi: 10.36849/JDD.9386.

5. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 ASPS procedural statistics release. Published 2024. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf.

6. Resume Now. 92% of Americans cut back spending in 2025, even groceries and healthcare. Yahoo Finance. Published January 7, 2026. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/92-americans-cut-back-spending-120500020.html.

7. National Foundation for Credit Counseling. NFCC reveals financial strain is the new normal for American households. Published November 17, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.nfcc.org/press_release/nfcc-reveals-financial-strain-is-the-new-normal-for-american-households/.