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
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