Neutrogena • Skin Clearing Oil Free Compact Foundation • Foundations

rated 2.8(69 reviews)

Average Rating.2.8
Would buy this product again.44%
Package Quality3.3
Price2.9
Ingredients

rated 3 of 5 mhm_megan on 2/22/2011 8:30:00 PM more reviews by mhm_megan

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Other    

It's okay, but for the foundation itself, I hate how it goes on. It's very dry going on. I will probably start buying another foundation. It's not horrible, but not for me. I haven't seen a change in my acne either.

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rated 5 of 5 BPpinkie88 on 3/29/2010 10:02:00 PM more reviews by BPpinkie88

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This is the ONLY makeup that NEVER broke me out....i have VERY sensitive skin.....it was truly GOD SENT!

This is the BEST everyday wear makeup...especially if you're acne prone. It doesn't feel like you're wearing makeup at all it gives a good natural look yet there is a LOT of coverage :) It actually does clear up acne and it definitely faded some hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on my face. Fortunately I had the BEST color match for this foundation: "Golden Bisque" ...and I'm between an NC-27 and NC-30. A lot of people complain about the dryness/caking ..well DUH that's because of the acne-fighting ingredient in there (salicylic acid)...to prevent the dry spots JUST use a little moisturizer underneath ...and seriously ...skin looks flawless after that. I've used this product for 8 years and have tried various foundations/powders from high end to drugstore...but nothing beats this...most other makeup break me out but this one doesn't and I wear it on a daily basis.

WORD OF CAUTION: DO NOTTTT buy the MINERAL version of this which is out at stores right now...I recently bought it because I couldn't find the original one at any stores...the MINERAL version contains TALC....which causes skin irritation and for acne-prone people....skin irritation = breakouts.

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rated 4 of 5 timelessfashionista on 3/14/2010 7:35:00 PM more reviews by timelessfashionista

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This was the first drugstore foundation I tried. I am getting pretty close to the end but of course I'm using it off and on now. I think I'm going to re-buy it, definitely. Sometimes I feel like putting on my makeup a little heavier and with this price, it lets me. LOL! It's either pay $40+ for chanel foundation or $12 for neutrogena's.. which is cheaper? Neutrogena. Which is better? Chanel. You get what you pay for but Neutrogena's is good. I recommend checking it out...

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rated 4 of 5 sweetnsourstuff on 10/18/2009 12:58:00 PM more reviews by sweetnsourstuff

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product. It keeps my skin clear, and goes on with a matte finish. A lot of people complained about it not blending in well, but i moisturize my face beforehand. I use the blushing ivory, which seems to really brighten up my face, whereas other brands of makeup i've used seem to dull my complexion.

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rated 3 of 5 blonde4ever4500 on 7/20/2009 7:43:00 PM more reviews by blonde4ever4500

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

i personally like this foundation, the only thang i dont care about it is that it doesnt rub in as well as i wuld like it, but it does make my face stand out better. and if i rub it in gerd then it looks better.

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rated 4 of 5 moonluna on 7/3/2009 6:54:00 PM more reviews by moonluna

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Whenever I get those dreaded summer breakouts, I reach for this product, Paying the $12 hurts, but I get really bad pimples -- they can look like lesions and literally last for weeks -- so it's worth the $$. This stuff clears up my skin in about 3 days. By the end of the first week, though, it dries out my skin really bad, so I can't keep using it past the "clear-up" stage. But -- it really does work to clear up my skin so I am glad it exists. I use the Golden Bisque and although it does not offer much coverage, it gives my skin a healthy glow and it looks natural. I have to use it with Maybelline cover stick in Medium underneath to cover the pimples, then the Neutrogena, then some Bare Escentuals mineral powder on top of the pimples. That pretty much keesp them covered all day. As a side note, I put the Bare Escentuals mineral powder on top of th Maybeline cover stick under my eyes, and it erases the circles quite well.

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rated 4 of 5 yummyturtle on 3/14/2009 9:28:00 PM more reviews by yummyturtle

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Love this foundation. I don't wear much makeup, but I wanted to even out some redness and a few blemishes around my nose, mouth, and chin. Natural Buff seems to be the perfect match for my skin tone. Definitely use moisturizer because as others have said, it can be drying. I use a big face brush to apply and blend. The result is a subtle, even glow. It doesn't hide all blemishes, so you might need a separate concealer, but I still love the way it makes my complexion smoother and even. I will definitely be using this again.

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rated 2 of 5 Jillsmith on 11/24/2008 7:19:00 PM more reviews by Jillsmith

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I chose this product because I wanted a drugstore compact foundation that had something in it for clearing up blemishes. It looked like this was the only product at my local CVS that fit the requirements. I have not used it regularly enough to make any claims about whether it helps heal acne. I don't use it often because I dislike its cakey and somewhat dry texture and find it difficult to apply. I may have to splurge on a non-d/s brand, in part so that I can test the color and texture before purchasing.

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rated 4 of 5 MinnieEars on 9/25/2008 1:08:00 PM more reviews by MinnieEars

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this last summer and it works like a dream! I have skin with very red cheeks and acne cover forehead. I love that I finally found a foundation that covers all my facial flaws and STAYS on all day. My older foundations stayed on for 3 hours then died down, this one stayed on all the way for morning up to night and it feels so air soft you don't even feel like you're wearing make up. And it also clears your skin!

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rated 2 of 5 sourika on 8/21/2008 5:40:00 PM more reviews by sourika

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

The product is not soft/moist enough. I thought maybe I had gotten a dried out one, but the next one was the same. I only use this right after I apply sunscreen, so it's easier to apply. I won't be buying this again.(Almay had a much better one for problem skin, but unfortunately they discontinued it.) This causes you to tug & pull at your skin too much. I would recommend Avon Creme to Powder foundation, it stays pretty matte, even in summer. Covergirl Aquasmooth is also comparable.

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rated 4 of 5 Tellit2thestars on 7/6/2008 3:17:00 PM more reviews by Tellit2thestars

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product. I used to use it all the time in HS and quit. I recently started having trouble with my complexion and problems with oily face (it is REALLY hot in south Texas). I would use a pressed powder and in 30 mins it would slide around like a sheerish foundation. Then I'd apply more to deal with the oil and it would just cake. It was a total mess :(.
I was looking at pictures from back in the day and saw how clear and clean my face was. I remembered I used to use this product (Neutrogena Compact Foundation) so I bought it and in less than a week my skin cleared and the oil problems completely disappeared. I actually like the fact that it takes some work to blend it because in the end you get a more natural looking finish.

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rated 4 of 5 juliaruth87 on 3/6/2008 2:59:00 PM more reviews by juliaruth87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I have combination skin, T-zones have more oil than everywhere else, I exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize daily.
This foundation dried my skin a bit more, oil production went up, I counteracted with exfoliation and acne breakouts subdued. I feel that the drying penetrated my pores and helped in some manner.
My skin grew flaky near the chin underneath the mouth from the drying but whiteheads that were near to that area had vanished also, and with exfoliation flakiness went away.
My skin is more well-balanced.
Because of increased oil production my face shines a bit more, but not extreme, so it looks as my face glows rather than shines.




Was using Maybelline Purestay oil-free powder foundation before this one. Will stay with this Neutrogena foundation now.

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* FedoraJane on 2/4/2008 12:28:00 AM more reviews by FedoraJane

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This was actually one of the first foundations I ever wore. Tried it again after about two years and had to return it, reluctantly.


And it actually wears okay on combo skin, despite what the "ance/oily only" girls are saying. Just moisturize your face - and no, a long-wear sunscreen will not "do" in place of a moisturizer in place of this foundation.


I applied it with the sponge and got a beautiful finish, the coverage is more than what I usually need but is great for "bad" days. The color softened my skintone without washing me out.


But this stuff does dry me out overtime because of the acids in it. Bah! I wish they made a "dry" skin version of this. Still giving it a 4, because my only issue with it is caused by it not being formulated for my skin. Also, a bit expensive for hittting the pan so early.

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rated 4 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Goldie_Loks on 11/18/2007 4:56:00 PM more reviews by Goldie_Loks

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I use the softest gold as I have light skin with gold undertones (although this shade is now discontinued). My skin is very oily, with dry patches, so usually all liquid foundation looks absolutely terrible on my skin, and the powder foundations are too flaky and drying. This foundation is the best of both worlds, it makes me skin look perfect but very natural. I should also mention that I use Neutrogena moisturizer for sensitive skin underneath my makeup. You can't tell I have foundation on, just that I have perfect skin! Also, it's the best I've found for controlling oil! I have been using Jane Iredale's pressed foundations for years, and now I have found a much cheaper foundation that looks 1000 times better! UPDATE: Have now switched to Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse. WAY better coverage and oil control!

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rated 3 of 5 mrsmike on 11/8/2007 8:17:00 PM more reviews by mrsmike

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I just bought this foundation compact in Blushing Ivory because I was looking for something to swipe on in the mornings. Although my skin is oily, I am having a hard time with the consistency which seems to go on pretty unevenly. When I was younger this was my go to foundation, but maybe my skin has changed. The coverage is good, but the shade I picked seems a little too light. It was hard to select colors in the store because everything looks much darker in the package and obviously in the drugstore there is no testing.
I had not purchased this product in a while because I remember the compact getting an odd smell after having it a while, like something was a bit off. When it happened the first time, I thought it was a fluke but when it happened to #2 & #3 I found it pretty off-putting. That said, I purchased it again so it is not THAT offensive. Just a word of caution.

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rated 1 of 5 afigirl6to8 on 9/1/2007 10:47:00 AM more reviews by afigirl6to8

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I wholeheartedly disagree with this not being "right" for my skin and therefore it didn't work. I have very oily skin and have cystic acne in some places mostly my chin and by my lips. This foundation is still horrid. Hard to blend, consistency was gross. Worst foundation I've tried. Prescriptives is my HG now but if you really want drugstore I've found L'Oreal does a pretty good job.

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rated 5 of 5 Heddy647 on 6/14/2007 11:32:00 AM more reviews by Heddy647

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I agree with the oily skin/acne people because I am one... this is fantastic. I am on my second compact. I finished the Natural Buff and moved on to Golden Bisque #70 for summer. Awesome, covers well and you can even use it on sections not your whole face because it blends nicely. I use a sponge instead of the applicator that comes with it and throw the sponge out every few days to reduce spreading acne related bacteria. Seems to help! Perfect with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Natural Radiance Bronzer #30 (sunkissed) to finish it off!!!

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rated 1 of 5 suziegurl88 on 4/28/2007 2:28:00 PM more reviews by suziegurl88

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

this is the worst foundation i think i ever put on my face seriosuly..its horrible..it barely goes on,drys out my skin just nasty yuk. expensive crap.

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rated 4 of 5 delkoochic on 4/17/2007 8:11:00 PM more reviews by delkoochic

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

for everybody that gave this product bad reviews it's because it wasn't meant for their skin. This foundation goes really well with really oily skin, people with a lot of acne and if u want a lot of coverage. i have cystic acne and have alsmost tried every foundation out there over the years but i still come back to this one. it's the only one that doesnt make me break out, covers my scars and keeps my face shine free until i wash it off. the reason i took off one lippie is because you really need to blend it in since it's so dry and sets quickly. but otherwise if your looking for a foundation for problem skin this is it!

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rated 4 of 5 Lori80 on 12/19/2006 7:51:00 PM more reviews by Lori80

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

ok THIS foundation is pretty freakin nice.. i have oily skin and this product helps ALOT with that! package is nice. i use the one in toasted honey and it pretty much matches my skin. i put powder over this and my face looks FLAWLESS! as long as you blend good around the hairline its fine. overall = nice product! =]

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