{Review} Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer (For Combo Skin)

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know how much I love gel moisturizers, especially those from Clinique. I've gone through several bottles of their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and their Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturizer. However, while my skin feels better, they make my wallet ache. As far as moisturizers go, they aren't as expensive as other brands. But, for what they are, mildly moisturizing gels, they are a bit pricey. So, when I came across Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisturizer for Combination Skin, I just had to try it. A friend of mine who has tried it said it was a gel moisturizer so I just had to give it a try. And shocker: it's actually pretty good!

Important: although this moisturizer says it's for combo skin, it really will only work well for people with strictly oily skin. I've tried it on several friends with combo skin and it does absolutely nothing for their dry areas.

What it claims:

"Noncomedogenic, alcohol-free, allergy tested, fragrance-free, moisturizes dry areas, won't make oily areas shiny, and will keep oily areas matte throughout the day." That is a lot. For a drugstore moisturizer that cost $11.99, that is a lot. Heck for my HG Clinique stuff that's a lot lol! But we'll see...

Ok, so one thing I'm loving about this moisturizer is the pump. I've never been a fan of the Clinique DD Gel pump because the square shape makes using the pump a bit awkward. That and it dispenses too small of an amount in one pump, but two pumps is a teeny bit too much. This pump gives a generous amount with one pump that is enough for the face and the neck. And the bottle fits comfortably in the hand.

A swatch:

This is one pump. As you can see, it's a liquidy gel formula that is quite thin.

And rubbed in:

It absorbs right into the skin within a minute. It doesn't leave any kind of greasy film or anything like that, so there is no shine on the skin right after you apply it. Now, Neutrogena claims that this moisturizer will control shine throughout the day. Well, it doesn't. In fact, I've yet to come across a moisturizer that actually controls shine. I've used DDF, Clinique, Lancome, Estee Lauder, etc. They may claim to do so, but none of the ones I've used so far have actually kept my face from getting shiny. With this moisturizer my face gets shiny in about the same amount of time it usually does. It I apply it at 7 am, when I'm usually getting ready, then my face will get shiny around noon. It doesn't make my face greasy though because it does absorb quickly, but that's not the same as keeping my face matte.

It's also important to note that Neutrogena also claims that this moisturizer will moisturize dry areas on combo skin types. Well, it doesn't. In fact, if you have combo skin I wouldn't use this product at all. I've tried it on several of my friends who have combo skin and most of them said that the areas where they had some dryness this moisturizer did nothing, even when I applied an extra layer. I've read a lot of reviews on this moisturizer online as well, and people with combo skin rated this product low while people with oily skin rated it high. This moisturizer is basically a mild day moisturizer for people with oily skin. It is good for people with oily skin because we tend to have fairly well moisturized skin to begin with so we don't need as much moisture. People with combo skin, however, have areas on their faces which do need a bit more moisture which this moisturizer will not deliver.

What I also like about this moisturizer is that it layers fairly well under makeup as well. Sometimes whenI layer moisturizers under makeup my face tends to get oilier faster. Not so with this moisturizer. It absorbs within a minute and leaves my face well hydrated for makeup. The only problem I now have is that it doesn't have an SPF, just like the Clinique version, so I've been mixing this with my Neutrogena Liquid Sunblock. Both formulas are so thin that for the most part they do not make my face oilier. That being said, I've been testing them out at the end of winter so my face tends to be a bit less oily to begin with. When summer comes I'll probably use less of the moisturizer, but for now it works well for me.

In the end, a great moisturizer for people with only oily skin, not so for those with combo skin. It is very similar to Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. For the price, I'd actually say the better buy!

Pros:

-Light weight.

-Doesn't clog pores.

-Didn't break me out.

-Layers well under makeup.

-No strong scent.

-Doesn't make my face oily.

-Good price.

-Absorbs very quickly.

Cons:

-Doesn't mattify like it claims.

-Doesn't moisturize dry areas like it claims.

-No SPF.

Info:

Price: $11.99

Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Methyl Methacrylate Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Lysine Thiazolidine Carboxylate, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Silica, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Benzalkonium Chloride.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was purchased by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in comments.

Updated Foundation Routine

In the past few months my skin has been horrible, especially around the side of my face, the cheek area, where I have never ever broken out :'( I've really tried to go back to a stable routine, using only a few products on my face and as little base foundation or concealer as possible. I don't know what caused the massive breakout, but I'm just beginning to get it under control and I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing.

First off, to treat the acne I went back to my cleansing routine. I was using those makeup remover/moisturizer all in one cloths at the end of the night to remove my makeup instead of actually going and washing my face out fully, which definitely contributed to the acne. It just felt like too much hassle after a long day of work, classes, studying..try to fit a social life in and somethings gotto go. I've been using my Queen Helen Mint Jelep Mask and my Acne Free Terminator which have helped a lot! I've also been using a very basic moisturizer: aloe very. Now, I only use this during the day. I'll wear it under my makeup or I'll dilute my foundation with it to make a tinted moisturizer.


To make the tinted moisturizer I simply mix them on the back of my hand, usually half and half. If I need more coverage, I add more foundation, if not, less. It won't work well with all foundations, but works very well with my Clinique Even Better or Maybelline Mineral Liquid.


Simply mix and apply. It gives me sheer coverage and covers up my redness without looking like a mask. This way I only use my Smashbox HD Liquid Concealer only where I absolutely need it. I've been setting with my NYC translucent powder which I will review soon!

I like aloe during the day because mys kin is very oily and sometimes using a regular moisturizer, even my Clinique DD Gel is too much. I don't know what it is about aloe vera gel, but it sens somehow and makes my makeup last longer. Be careful what type of aloe vera gel you use if you do try this. I'm using Jason Natural Cosmetics Aloe Vera Super Gel. It's very affordable, around $10-$13 for 16 oz bottle (depending on where you buy) and it's 98% pure aloe vera. I use it everywhere: after shaving or waxing, being out in the sun, etc. It's a great multi-tasker. I highly recommend trying this stuff out if you need a very light moisturizer during the day. It won't work if your skin starts to dry out in the winter, but as I use a heavier moisturizer at night, it's not really an issue for me. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

EDIT: I put the aloe vera gel into a smaller container from a used up moisturizer because lets face it, 16 0z is affordable but crazy big and inconvenient when doing my makeup in the morn, lol!

Gloss Comparison: Clinique Whisper & Lancome Precious Light

Just a quick comparisons of two colors, Clinique's Whisper (reviewed HERE) and Lancome's Precious Light (reviewed HERE), which was limited edition part of their holiday 08 collection. I tend to think of all clear shimmery glosses as the same, but the tone of the gloss sometimes does make a difference.


Top, Clinique Whisper, Bottom, Lancome Precious Light

From the pic above, you would think that Whisper would be the warmer gloss, wouldn't you?

A swatch:

Top, Clinique Whisper, Bottom, Lancome Precious Light

A better swatch:

Top, Clinique Whisper, Bottom, Lancome Precious Light

Precious Light has a multi-colored shimmer while Whisper, which looks like a champagne gloss, is really silver shimmered.

More to come!

Review: Clinique Gloss Wear For Lips Lip Gloss in Whisper

I actually got this gloss as part of a set from Clinique. It was a set of five mini lip glosses. Of the shades available now, Whisper, Sunset (warm gold brown), and Mystic (a sheer purple) are the only one's from the set that, to my knowledge, are still sold although they are now formulated for the Long Last Glosswear line, which is a lot stickier in my opinion.


The shade is Whisper, a clear gloss with some very pretty silver shimmer in it.

The applicator:

Just your standard doe foot. I have to say that I much prefer these types of applicators than the brush ones. I find that with brush applicators I tend to apply too much gloss and am left with goop on my lips. Plus, with a doe foot the application is much more even in my opinion.

A swatch:

So yeah, as stated above, just a clear gloss with some silver shimmer in it. I really like the formula of this gloss. It's not thin, but it's not too thick either, it almost has a gelly feel to it. I don't usually wear clear glosses alone, so I've been layering it over matte lipsticks. It is very very glossy, and wears comfortably, not drying at all. Not too much to say about this gloss. Solid choice, but again, I'm not a big fan of shimmery clear glosses.

Info:

Price: $14 (for the fullsize)

Ingredients: Lanolin Oil, Hydroxylated Lanolin, Polybutene, Microcrylstalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ceresin, Isopyropyl Lanolate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocophyeryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Arachidyl Propionate, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide, BHT, Propylparaben.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Clinique Moisture Surge gel is an intensive moisturizer meant for skin that is really in need of moisture, and let me tell you, it does the job! First off, it is a gel, which I really like as I have fairly oily skin and creams make me feel greasy. The texture of this is perfect-it's liquid-y, but not thin. When you put it on, it feels heavenly, very light weight.

I don't know how well you can see the texture in the above image, but it is very nice. I highly recommend this to someone who doesn't like greasy creams. I bought this because last week I completely stripped my skin. I had run out of my Bliss Foaming Face wash and borrowed a bit of a friends Clearasil gel cleanser. It left my skin with peeling dry patches everywhere-my cheeks, right under my brows, around my chin, sides of my nose, even my forehead!!! My skin was red, like I had windburn and PEELING!!! I was wholly unprepared for this as my skin is oily so I don't usually deal with dryness. But after three nights of Clinique Moisture Surge, my skin was back to normal.

Here it is right after I applied it:


Here it is after it's absorbed:

I don't know if you can tell, but it leaves my skin with a sheen. My skin immediately felt silky and smooth, and the gel absorbed within a couple of minutes, so no grease face, haha! I've really been liking Clinique's gels. I've never come across such great moisturizers for oily skin. Other brands advertise for oily complexions, but nothing I've tried has beaten Clinique's light weight, non greasy formula. Now if they could just add some SPF... And interestingly enough, I've been able to apply this over my foundation during the day if I notice a dry patch without displacing my makeup! And I've heard of people using this as a mask (applying it to damp skin for five minutes and then wiping off) but I fail to see how this can be more beneficial than actually letting the gel absorb. Anyway, I've had a really good experience with this moisturizer and highly recommend it to anyone with oily skin!

Has anyone else tried this moisturizer? Feel free to let me know what you think in comments!

Info:

Price: $34-$46.50 (depending on size)

Ingredients: Water, cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glycol, glycerin, birch bark extract, lady's thistle extract, green tea leaf extract, saccharomyces lysate extract, sucrose, aloe barbadensis leaf water, trehalose, hydroxyethyl urea, sorbitol, oleth-10, tromethamine, caffeine, hydrogenated lecithin, hydrolyzed extensin, sodium hyaluronate, tocopheryl acetate, palmitoyl olgiopeptide, caprylyl glycol, dimethicone, glyceryl polymethacrylate, peg-8, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolumer, magnesuim ascorbyl phosphate, carbomer, hexylene glycol, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, red 4 (CI 14700), yellow 5 (CI 19140)

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.