twenty3skidoo's Full Review: Neutrogena Combination Skin Moisture
I had finally found a moisturizer I loved. I had received a jar of Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel as a bonus for letting a friend of mine host a Mary Kay party in my home. I adored it... until I ran out. I went to reorder and found out that the stuff costs THIRTY DOLLARS A JAR. So I was off to Wal-Mart in search of an acceptable substitute. After reading labels for what seemed like forever, and kicking myself for not first consulting epinions, I settled on Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for combination skin.
1. What is it?
This is basically a face lotion for people like me who can't decide what kind of skin they have. If you are greasy in some areas, but tend to have dry skin in others, you have combination skin. I also find that products made for combination skin work well on my face, which tends to easily over-dry or break out seemingly at whim!
This formula is made to moisturize dry areas while simultaneously controlling shine in oily areas. It is non-comedogenic (it won't clog pores), allergy tested (notice it does not say hypo-allergenic!!), fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and "dermatologist recommended."
2. What does it promise to do? Does it deliver?
PROMISE: Lightweight, non-greasy formula moisturizes where skin is dry, without leaving it oily or shiny
RESULT: This is mostly true. The opalescent formula is lighter than most lotions I've tried, even oil-free ones. It is not as light as the Mary Kay Gel, but the moisture seems to last longer. It does not feel greasy on my skin, and it seems to absorb quickly without any lingering shine.
PROMISE: Skin looks and feels softer and smoother
RESULT: Definitely. With or without makeup, this product leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and pretty! The texture of my skin after using this lotion is noticeably different from the texture before.
PROMISE: Controls shine in oily areas
RESULT: This is true to some extent. It does briefly improve shine, and it eliminates the greasy feel and look of most products on my skin after using them. Immediately after applying this, the shine is better, but after about 20 minutes-an hour, the effect fades.
I would say that this product contains just enough of its "clinically proven oil-absorbing MICROSPONGE" technology to absorb any of the moisturizer that was not immediately drunk up by thirsty dry skin. So it leaves my skin normal instead of combination. Great improvement!
PROMISE: Natural, matte finish all day
RESULT: This is the one promise that this product absolutely unequivically fails to deliver on. While this product does leave my skin "normal" after using it, there is definitely not enough oil-absorbing power leftover to help mattify my makeup or the copious amounts of grease that my skin seems to produce throughout the day.
For this, I highly recommend Mary Kay Oil Mattifier! The matte finish left by the Neutrogena will fade after about a half hour, or as soon as you apply makeup, whichever comes first. I will say that there might be some slight improvement using this lotion than with Oil of Olay oil-free moisturizer, but it is definitely no better at providing oil-free skin in the long-term than the Oil-Free Hydrating Gel from Mary Kay.
PROMISE: Won't clog pores or cause breakouts
RESULT: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! Almost all products, even oil-free ones, if they moisturize my skin even the tinyiest bit seem to cause pimple parties on my cheeks. Not so with this product! In the couple of weeks I've been using it, I have only had one zit, which is considerably better than usual!
3. How am I supposed to use it?
This product recommends using 2 pumps, applying all over face and neck morning and night, alone or under makeup.
My only comments on this are that while 2 pumps is great at night, I find it is just too much moisture for day use. 2 full pumps leaves me with some leftover, or with weighed-down skin by the time I apply makeup. I recommend using 1 pump to put on your face, and about a half a pump for your neck during the daytime, especially if you have skin tending to drip with oil, like mine!
4. Packaging, Smell, and General Experience:
I bought this 4-ounce bottle at Wal-Mart for $8.87. More expensive than some other moisturizers, but nothing compared to the thirty bucks for Mary Kay!
The bottle is white, with simple pink and blue graphics. While it is more utilitarian than the pretty, heavy glass jar of Mary Kay, it does seem nicer than the Olay products, and the pump very consistently meters out the same amount of product, making it easy not to waste any.
My one complaint about the packaging is the on/off turning dial on the top. You turn it one way to be able to pump it, and another to lock it. I think this is to eliminate having to push the pump all the way down to lock it for travel, which is the locking system most pump lotions have. It does work in this capacity, but it feels very fragile, and while it hasn't yet, it seems like it might be easy to break.
I will note that I have had no problems with the bottle leaking, even when being tossed about while traveling.
5. Will I be buying this again?
Probably. I intend to request some more of the Mary Kay Gel for Christmas, but if Santa doesn't deliver, or when I run out of that again, I could definitely see myself using this again. It's a nice comprimise between the really pricey (but great) stuff and the really cheap (but yucky)store-brand products. Give it a try. You just might like it!
Lightweight, non-greasy, moisturizing formula for softer, smoother skin Moisturizes dry areas; controls shine in oily areas Non-comedogenic; fragrance...More at Amazon
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