Tag: Neutrogena

NEW: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser and GIVEAWAY

Sometimes I feel like Goldylocks with my cleansers. One doesn’t foam enough. Another is a touch too drying. And another one doesn’t quite get all my makeup off. Well, hot off the presses is a new cleanser from Neutrogena and this one has beauty editors singing praises. I can see why because it does everything I ask of a cleanser.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is formulated with a patented technology that can remove 99% of excess oil, dirt and even makeup, while preserving the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. The formula is clear and can whip up to a fairly good lather. I can only detect a very light and pleasant fragrance. All my makeup other than some stubborn mascara comes right off with just a standard wash. And when you rinse it away, there is no tightness or dryness. It rinses clean, so no residue to clog pores.

According to dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, “My patients often complain they have to choose between their skin feeling clean or feeling moist. The key is finding a cleanser that doesn’t disrupt skin’s delicate moisture barrier to leave skin not only clean, but also feeling soft and never too dry or too tight.” Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, the little workhorse, can do all of this. Not to mention, leave skin perfectly prepped for any skin care treatments applied post cleansing.

Neutrogena came up with a fun little quiz to help you put your cleanser against their new Gentle Daily Cleanser. Pop over and take the cleansing assessment here. If you are one of the first 5,000 people to sign up, you’ll get a free sample! Check out my assessment here:

I’m so enthusastic about the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, I wanted to share the love. I’ve teamed up with Neutrogena for a special chance for three of you lucky readers to try out their new cleanser. Enter using the widget below. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Neutrogena Suncare Tips & a GIVEAWAY

There are loads of sunscreen tips and tricks floating around this time of year. But with the rise of skin cancers, particularly among younger women, I believe this is such a great message to be echoing. The fun part for me is so many of these sunscreens have become a pleasure to use. And you can’t go wrong with drugstore budget standout, Neutrogena.

Of particular interest for Neutrogena, the FDA now requires stipulation for a new test to be run in order to claim broad-spectrum protection on sunscreen products. Cathy Salerno, Vice President of R&D, Global Skin Care Product Development at Johnson & Johnson highlights that “Neutrogena spent years researching and developing and patenting a technology that provides photo stable protection over time.” Takeaway number one, you can count on Neutrogena for broad-specturm UVA and UVB thanks to their Helioplex technology.

So, what else do we need to know to play safe in the sun? Dr. Doris Day addresses three myths that I am embarrassed to hear repeated all too frequently:

Myth #1: 50 minutes a day of sunlight a day is necessary for vitamin D

“This is one of the biggest myths I have heard. Incidental sun exposure is plenty for most people. If you think you are vitamin D deficient, get a blood test. There are fat-soluble vitamins available, which you do not need to take every day. Thus, vitamin D is not an excuse to get a tan and certainly not an excuse to go to a tanning bed.”

Myth #2: A base tan is necessary before vacation, or spending a lot of time in the sun.

“Does anybody still believe this? There’s no such thing as a base tan, it’s just one more excuse to have a tan. If you don’t want to get sunburn on vacation, use your sun protection and be sun smart.”

Myth #3: Most of your sun damage has occurred by the age of 18.

“No matter your age or how much exposure you’ve had, every exposure you get at any age is cumulative and damaging to the skin. Your skin has the ability to repair no matter how old you are. If you start today just by using sunscreen alone, all of those other expensive products that we are spending so much money on will work so much better. It is never too late to start protecting your skin.”

I’ve been testing out the Neutrogena suncare line for a couple weeks… here are some thoughts:

Neutrogena Beach Defense™ Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 70 has everything that you could ask for in a “at the beach all day” sunscreen. Not to mention it smells like pina coladas – yum!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Body Mist Sunscreen is a pleasure to use. The spray dries clear and without a hint of greasiness. I particularly love this for getting hard to reach areas. Just remember with sprays to totally coat the area you are protecting.
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45+ might be designed with kids in mind, but I love this when you are in for a marathon swim session. It gets so hot here in the summer, we often spend the whole day in the lake or pool. Love this for quick reapplication even if you are wet.
Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 is perfect for those with acne-prone skin. Dr. Doris Day points out “sun exposure can actually make inflammation worse in people who are prone to acne. Thus, it is important to protect your sensitive skin with sunscreen.”
Neutrogena Age Shield™ Face Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum is for those of us chasing the dream of youthful skin. This formula works beautifully under makeup and provides extreme protection.
Neutrogena MicroMist® Airbrush Sunless Tan dries fast, gives great color and is a breeze to apply. I love the continuous spray for hard to reach areas and even application.

Also, take note: for any Neutrogena product with SPF purchased from May through July, the company will donate one to a family in need. More info here!

Want a chance to enter to win your own gift basket full of Neutrogena suncare products? Talk about stocking up for summer! Enter using the widget below. Good luck! (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

New Budget Beauty Favorites

Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara in Brown has been my daytime mascara pick for the last couple of weeks. I am liking the softer look of brown, but still with some pretty serious fullness. The formula contains Red Seaweed to strengthen and protect lashes. Enriched with Vitamins C & E for antioxidant protection. And the brush is a gentle fluffy style that doesn’t pull or tug on my lashes.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm was on the blog last week, but I felt it deserved a revisit. With some additional uses, I’ve found this mask is particularly transformative. My hair is super soft and bouncy. But the biggest plus, it makes for a great treatment after a day at the pool or lake. I’m certainly keeping this on hand as my hair gets put through the ringer during summer playtime.

Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Cream in Raspberry Rain takes me right back to high school when I was so religious about using shaving cream. It really does make a difference, I’ve discovered, especially in the summer. Vitamin E & Olive Butter along with 10 other moisturizers leave skin smooth and soft. Not to mention, prevent those nasty nicks.

Limited Edition Schick Hydro Silk Razor is giving me an insanely close shave and not one cut yet (knockonwood). For those of you who love disposables, I also am adoring the Schick Hydro Silk Disposables with five Curve Sensing Blades plus skin guards. They say it is the highest performing disposable razor out there.

Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Lotion has all you can ask for if you are headed for a marathon day at the beach: broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection, lightweight, fast absorbing, oil-free and water resistant for 80 minutes. But here’s the bonus: it smells like pina coladas. Winner!

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color Bare It All is another winner from my drugstore beauty guru, Jessica. It is a long-wearing lipstick that doesn’t feel like it. The smooth formula glides on and has a semi-matte finish. Hyaluronic Microspheres helps color adhere while natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips. Not to mention – this is a fabulous nude. AND it is under $2.

Favorite SPF Lotions for the Face

If you aren’t already getting your mug nice and protected every morning, now is the time to start. SPF is crucial and (along with retinoids) the only thing proven to prevent aging. Here are my current top five for both under makeup and for a day at the pool:

Hampton Sun SPF15 Super Hydrating Face Cream manages to be lightweight and super nourishing. The Calendula soothes my redness-prone skin while Canadian Willow Bark calms. I love how it quickly absorbs and is powered with gentle zinc oxide. Fragrance and oil free.

CeraVe SPF Sunscreen Stick is relatively new to the market, but you should be able to find this in your drugstore. Perfect for on the go, this stick is also powered with the gentle physical-only sunscreens. The formula finishes dry with no greasy residue.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Anti-Aging Sunscreen has long been a favorite (initially reviewed here). It is the trifecta, offering hydration, UV protection and anti-aging benefits. The unique formula keeps the sunscreen in a “reservoir” on the skin, maximizing effectiveness.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 55 gives you superior sun protection without clogging pores. The water-light texture is weightless, letting skin breathe. At the same time, it is water-resistant, oil-free and fragrance-free. Not only does it look great under makeup, but also works for those days when outdoor activites call for a feather-weight SPF.

ZO Skin Health ‘Oclipse’ Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 is the ultimate sunscreen for under a full face of makeup. This stuff has a silky texture with nude coloring. It has no coverage but avoids that nasty white cast. Not only does it have broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection but it blocks natural melanin – BONUS!

What’s In My Shower These Days

You probably aren’t shocked to find out my shower is full to the brim with beauty goodies. Every day, I grab for something different. But there are those favorites that I keep buying again and again, using every bit to the very last drop. Here’s my current shower MVP list:

H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel is doing a darn good job getting me ready for spring time. The fruity, invigorating scent reminds me of being at the beach in high school without any of the cloying sweetness. The Black Currant Extract and Fruit Enzymes improve skin tone and texture. The best part? The Vitamin E capsules – tiny, jelly like balls that burst with just a bit of pressure that add crazy softness to my skin.

Tokyo Milk Eiffel Tower Soap from Neiman Marcus are almost too pretty to use. But eventually, I couldn’t resist and ripped that pretty paper to reveal a heafty bar of delicious smelling soap. The triple milled soap is made from a pure vegetable base and scented with the finest perfume. I get great lather while Shea Butter provide moisture. The Eiffel Tower scent is a blend of Linden, Honeyed rose, Wisteria petals and White musk.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel is my new go-to shower face cleanser. While it doesn’t have my beloved foaming action, I love the way it can remove every bit of makeup and dirt. It has a fairly strong floral, cucumber-like scent – sounds odd, but it is actually delightful. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are provide exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids to deep clean pores. Love using this with my Clarisonic.

Neutrogena Shampoo, Anti-Residue Formula is a relatively new addition and I constantly scratch my head why the classic formula didn’t make its way into my shower sooner. My hair was looking a little dull – no excuse for that – I never color it and always use this heat defense serum. Well, the problem was residue. Used once a week, this shampoo and remove all that gunk from shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

St. Ives Revitalizing Pear & Soy Body Wash, another bargain hit from St. Ives that really works. Soy and Pear not only make this formula smell great, but also moisturize skin. Like H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel, the fragrance is getting me in the Spring mood. The soap lathers but without leaving that dry, tight feeling. And around $3, you can beat the price.

Winter Drugstore Hits

Happy New Year’s Eve! I’ve been trolling the drugstore aisles this holiday season have some finds to report. This round-up has goodies that will hydrate and cleanse gentle, dry winter skin without leaving it irritated or stripped.

1. Baudelaire Large Wool Sponge: I am a foam fanatic and this natural sponge gets my shower gel all in a lather. Showering just became a lot more fun.

2. Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar Soap (also comes in fragrance-free): If Jen Aniston loves it, I had to give it a whirl. You know? She was right. The smell is irrisistable and it removes makeup and cleans skin throughly. The bar is actually perfect for my Clarisonic habit – I just rub the brush head on the bar and suds away.

3. Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes: These gentle towlettes are must-haves to remove the celebratory makeup from the season. Also helpful if you are just too darn ~~tired~~ tipsy to wash your face.

4. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM & PM: This duo is a straight-forward, no-frills way to clear, even skin. You don’t even have to think: just use AM in the morning for sun protection and moisture and PM in the evening for improved skin tone and hydrated skin.

5. J.R. Watkins Foaming Hand Soap: This natural, dye-free hand soap comes in four scents and is delightfully foamy. Not to mention, I love the vintage packaging. The formula is free of all that yucky stuff and still gets your hands clean from those pesky germs.