Describe the brand in three words sentences.
Drugstore/Chemist. Affordable. Hit and miss. Neutrogena was one of my most-requested brands before I went to the US last month, so I picked up as much as I could.
Who is it for?
Combi/oily/acne skins.
What’s in it?
Water, Alcohol Denat. (38%), Salicylic Acid (2%), Butylene Glycol, PPG 5 Ceteth 20, C12 15 Alkyl Lactate, Cetyl Lactate, Cocamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG/PPG 20/6 Dimethicone, Benzalkonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance
What's not in it?
Menthol, camphor, acetate
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Alcohol, fragrance
Suitable for pregnancy?
Yes, unless you are specifically told to avoid salicylic by your individual doctor. A topical 2% over-the-counter solution is not going to cause you harm.
Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man-made
Tested on animals in home country/EU/sold in territories that require testing?
Unknown but unlikely/No/Yes
How does it smell?
Like booze.
How do you use it?
Acid toner, after cleansing, pre-serums. I tend to wave them around in a vain attempt to get some of the alcohol to evaporate off before I apply.
Can it be taken around the eyes?
No need.
Best for winter or summer?
Either.
How long did I test it for?
I bought it in NY last month and have tested it on spots ever since.
How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
$8.99 for 60.
Works well with?
Serums post-application.
What’s the website like?
Good. Informative and ingredients are listed. www.neutrogena.com
How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?
Everywhere in the US, not available in the UK.
What’s good about it?
In isolated cases, these could be used topically on active breakouts to dry them out and kill off the bacteria in acne. However:
What’s not so good about it?
The alcohol content is high, in the same levels as Clinique's Clarifying Lotions, so the benefits of the salicylic are overshadowed by the possibility of them being too drying.
If you use these, I would keep them to zap spots, not to use all over the face up to three times a day as recommended by the brand. That's crazy talk. You would absolutely be over-exfoliating and it would in all likelihood, lead to milia and red cheeks.
Would I purchase/repurchase?
No, but then I don't need them. If I had active acne, I would consider them as an affordable spot treatment, but know that you would need something hydrating/moisturising after to counteract the alcohol.
Do you need it?
See above!
Similar products?
Nip + Fab Glycolic Extreme Pads
First Aid Beauty Radiance Facial Pads
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Daily Pads are $8.99 from Ulta.com
*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on them and support the blog, thank you very much. If you would rather not, just google the product. It's all good. See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.
