Neutrogena

Okay, I feel like a real jerk for not reviewing this years ago :/

I used to have such bad, flaky psoriasis on my scalp. So bad. I would get little specks on my shoulders. I would shake off my cardigan and it would look like snow. It was really gross and embarrassing.... If I were shopping and saw a clothing item I liked, I would purposely get a lighter colour and never black because I knew it would show.

I tried a few different things. Clarifying shampoo. Head and Shoulders ( i know, I know), etc. Ages ago I used a tar shampoo but it stained my light hair a bit and it smelt awful. Also, for some reason when I wanted to cave and buy that shampoo I couldn't find it anywhere.

So everyone recommended T-gel. I gave it a shot. I used the extra strength. The first day, I saw improvement. Not perfect, but maybe a good 60% reduction in flaking. Second wash, 80%, and by the third wash I couldn't even tell I had psoriasis. It wasn't itchy. It wasn't flaky. I basically do not shed at all. I have used this for about 4 years now and it has never failed me.

I have curly hair, so I only wash my hair once or twice a week. This product is still just as effective for me. I don't find it too drying or any ill-effects. It also does not smell amazing- very moth ball, but I find it goes away. I shampoo with my regular shampoo, then rub this into my scalp for at least 30 seconds. I let it sit for about 5 minutes or so (I also put a conditioning treatment on my ends during this time). Wash my body, shave etc whatever and then rinse out both this shampoo and the conditioner, then I just add a little bit of regular conditioner to my ends to make sure they don't get dry, rinse, done :) After styling etc there's no moth ball smell, for me at least.

I will say that one time my local drug store was out of the extra strength so I got regular. It worked okay, but I could tell the difference. I would say it felt about 30% less effective. If you have psoriasis, give this a try. It is a godsend to me. I will repurchase this forever.

I don't often use disposable cleansing wipes - only if I'm travelling or when I'm really tired and want to get my makeup and day grime off quickly. I've had these wipes in past and they always dried out before I could finish them, as have other brands. Now I see that there is the option to buy these in a refillable plastic container that does help considerably to keep the cloths moist. Yes, they are scented but the fragrance doesn't bother my nose or my skin. They are often on sale, as are the 3-pack refills. I am happy to repurchase these - they're inexpensive, reasonably effective and easy and if you're flying and want to take carry-on only, these help minimize the # and amount of liquids you need to take with you.

(A short-and-sweet summary at the bottom for those who don't want to read this long review)
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel is versatile and glides onto the skin nicely. The texture of this moisturizer is typical to gel moisturizers and the viscosity is a bit runny (I recommend sitting this product right-side-up if you buy it online, so all the product sits down and nothing spills). One thing that saddens me about this product is that it is around $15-20 USD. I find this product runs out after around 2 months with daily use.

This product comes in a tub, usually with a white top and a blue container. You can use up ALL of the product due to the setup! I find nothing is wasted. This DOES have a scent, which may or may not be, too strong (in my opinion, it is not AND the scent goes away upon application!!). I LOVE the scent of this moisturizer!! But this might be a deal breaker for many people. If you have tried Neutrogena's Hydro Boost face mask, then it's the same exact scent (albeit stronger because it's a mask). It could be beneficial to you to try the mask for the scent. Also, this moisturizer is quite hydrating so it may need a few minutes to dry.

I will say that I have repurchased this product 2-3 times already by the time I wrote this, so I have experimented a lot with it. My face has combination skin; cheeks are dry, the area near my eyes are normal and my t-zone is oily. This moisturizer is light-weight, and since it is a gel-type, you can easily make the mistake of putting on too much. A little goes a long way and ESPECIALLY for oily skin. If a lot is applied onto oily skin, then the skin will seem very shiny. This is not a look that I strive for at all, so dipping a finger on the surface of the gel and then applying that small amount onto the skin is a good way to not over saturate the skin. If that's not enough, you can always layer on more.

On the other hand, you can apply this moisturizer to dry skin by applying on more! This moisturizer, if you have normal-to-combination type skin, is perfect. (There's a version for dryer skin but this isn't the review for that nor have I tried it). For me, my cheeks have developed to be more dryer. Because of this, my routine has includes adding oil to my moisturizer and then onto my cheeks. For those with dryer skin, this may not be what you're looking for. So yes, I'm saying it might not be enough hydration for dry skin. If your skin leans more on normal but still dry, then I think this product could work. This combination of moisturizer-and-oil also works well with this product; the gel moisturizer binds to the oil well. I have not applied oil to the whole tub, but instead apply to the small amount I need (because my combination skin requires me to use the product as-is).

I do have ONE sensitive area on my face. This product does make the area around my nostrils burn if I apply A LOT. This area is the most sensitive area of my face, it happens with most products. I avoid this by adding a light amount to the area (and also adding a bit of oil to the moisturizer prior).

Do I recommend this product? Yes. Like I said, I have combination skin and I make this product work for me.

Summary: This is a good moisturizer for combination skin, especially oily-to-normal (I explain about dry skin later in this paragraph). Price point is around $15 to $20 USD (I wish it was cheaper) and I restock around 2 months with daily use (I CAN'T skip a day, my face doesn't react well). It should be used lightly on the skin, especially with oily skin. Layering is important when it comes to this product; less is more!! Moisturizer has a scent; might be a deal-breaker for you (there's a face-mask within the same line you can try and it has the same scent). Scent goes away upon application. Dryer skin may need an additive like oil (I use an oil for the dryer parts of my face) but the moisturizer adheres to the oil well. (There is a version of this moisturizer for dryer skin). Overall, I recommend this product!!

BRING BACK THE OLD FORMULA
I am so sick of companies that rid the consumer of perfectly fine products and then replace them with useless alternatives. The old formula had a proper lotion milky texture and was just beautiful, I could use it twice a day and it even removed a light full face of makeup. Could be rinsed/tissued/cotton padded off. A really gentle soothing formula for normal to dry to sensitive skins. The new formula is not at all creamy, it is more of a strange, thick, gel texture. I feel like I'm cleaning my face with hair gel. While it does rinse clean and can remove light make-up the old formula had this difference, it actually nourished the skin with good ingredients like chamomile etc. This new formula is void of anything helpful for skin, it is a cleanser nothing more. What's the point of changing the formula when this new formula already exists in new packaging in the US? which I doubt we will ever receive here in Australia, where we pay more for cosmetic goods already? Very shady, Neutrogena need to inform their consumers when they are going to discontinue a product and not just hope we will like it. BRING BACK THE OLD FORMULA!

While I agree with the general research and consensus that all 'saponified' soap is drying, even ones made specifically for the face like this one, which can also have a high PH, the result for me is perfectly clean, make-up free, soothed skin. I don't find it all drying but that is for me and my combination skin only, I don't know about anybody else's use with this product. Very old fashioned facial cleansing bar soap I believe this was created in 1954 and has been an American household staple for many many years. They also have a version in liquid form, see Liquid Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Formula, which I also love! Both of these products come in classic, no frills, old fashioned packaging with the beautiful rich amber colour. I use this twice a day but like to reduce its' use to once at night in the winter. Those with dry to severely dry skin should avoid this cleanser as it can have a slight tendency to be drying if used over zealously. This can be used with your hands and plain water or with a washcloth. Removes a full face of makeup and is clean rinsing. A staple in my cabinet.