Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock, SPF 70

image from drugstore.com

Price: $13 for 1.4 fl oz.

What they say:

"New Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Liquid Sunblock delivers powerful protection in a breakthrough lightweight liquid for daily protection from the sun. This water-light texture spreads easily over skin, absorbing instantly for an invisible, weightless feel. It also provides an even, non-shiny finish that works beautifully alone or under makeup and moisturizers.

This product features Helioplex®, a breadth of stabilized sunscreen technologies that delivers superior protection from the sun.

    * Helioplex®
    * Waterproof, sweatproof
    * Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
    * Oil-free, PABA free
    * 1.4 fl. oz. bottle"

What I say:

I really like this, and am so glad that I purchased it.  If you recall in my April Lemming's post, I mentioned that other countries have a more runny sunscreen than we do, and it was nice to see a company bring a liquid/lotion sunscreen to this country that was easy to obtain, and didn't cost an arm and a leg.

This sunscreen lives up to my expectations, which I am very happy about.  It is indeed a liquid/lotion, not that thick cream sunscreen that many companies try to pass off as being easy to spread, and fast absorbing.  The tip of the bottle looks a lot like an eyedropper, which allows the sunscreen to come out at just the right rate.  Believe me, you don't want a large opening on a liquid like this.  I actually like to take the bottle and run it across the area that I want to add sunscreen to, leaving a trail behind that I then rub into my skin.

This stuff spreads really easily, and doesn't leave behind a film once rubbed in.  I have to say, that besides BullFrog, this is the fastest absorbing sunscreen that I have ever seen.  Once you rub it in, it is gone, and you can barely feel it on your skin.  I can't say you can't feel it at all, but to me it feels about the same as a layer of lotion, so it is easy to ignore.  Honestly, after a few minutes, I don't even notice it at all.

The best part of a lotion type sunscreen like this is truly its ability to be layered on top of makeup, in my opinion.  Since the liquid is easy to spread, and has extremely fast absorption, you can spread a little on your hands, and then pat it onto skin.  Depending on your makeup and application, it may or may not disturb your makeup, but to even have the option is better than the majority of brands out there.  I have heard some people say that oilier skin can get away with this instead of moisturizer and sunscreen.  While I cannot say if I personally could, since I have oily dehydrated, I didn't notice any drying of my skin, so it might be possible.

I have noticed no slipping or greasiness because of this sunscreen, even when I exercised with this under makeup (for science!).  There is also no whitish cast to my face and body (I like to use the same sunscreen for both, since I travel a lot), but I do have fair skin.  I would guess that this sunscreen would leave no cast on other skintones, mainly because it disappears into skin so quickly and readily.  It claims to be waterproof and sweatproof.  From what I saw when exercising with this product on, it seems to be true.  I haven't swam with it on, since it's too cold here right now, but I would guess that it would hold up.  Just remember that all waterproof sunscreens still need to be touched up.

If there is anything I would say I didn't like about this product it would be the price per unit.  While still cheaper than most sunscreens on the market in the USA with this consistancy, it is still far more expensive than other drugstore sunscreens that are a different formula.  While this doesn't put me off too much, since I am willing to pay more for a superior product, and it often goes on sale, it would be nice if they lowered the price from, say, $13 not on sale to $10.  Maybe, depending on the market, they might, like Revlon did with PhotoReady.

Overall, I highly recommend this product.  It absorbs like a dream, layers well, spreads easily, is small enough for travel, doesn't cause breakouts, and can be used on both face and body.  Really, what more can one ask for from a product, let alone one that you can get at a drugstore?

5/5, highly recommended, possible HG.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Night Formula

image drugstore.com

Price: $14 for 1.4oz (40g)

What they say:

"Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream is a dermatologist recommended Retinol anti-wrinkle cream clinically proven to visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging.

This patented formula contains Retinol, Vitamin A in its purest form, to work deep within skin's surface where wrinkles develop. A combination of Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and special moisturizers work with skin's natural mechanisms to even out skin tone and build moisture levels. Lightweight and non-greasy, it absorbs quickly into skin.

Skin is softer and smoother. Fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging are visibly reduced.

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• Hypoallergenic
• Fragrance-free"

What I say:
This is okay, and cheap for what it is, but it is not that great.  I originally bought this because of the Retinol that it has in it, since you can never be too young to start the fight against wrinkles, but have not found it to really do anything.

The scent is basically non-existent, to the point that I can't really remember if it has a scent (good enough for me, it has no scent!).  The texture is a little more soft than most creams that I have used (including La Mer, which I got a sample of once).  Actually, I prefer the texture of this to thicker creams, because it is so easy to spread.

I have never had a problem of clogged pores from this on my face, but I have gotten a couple on my neck, and can only assume this was the culprit.  Given that I have only gotten a few in the year that I have used it, though, I would say that it is indeed non-comedogenic.

Overall, decent, but not great.  I purchased it again because there was a buy one get one on Neutrogena skincare, and I was getting more of my cleanser.  I may or may not purchase again, depending on if I find a better night cream when I run out or not.

3.5/5

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cleanser

image from drugstore.com

Price: $7.49 for 5.1 fl oz (150ml)

What they say:

"Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cleanser fights blemishes and the signs of aging every time you cleanse.

This unique anti-aging cleanser is formulated with a combination of the #1 blemish-fighting ingredient and a wrinkle-fighting ingredient to help give you clear, younger-looking skin. Salicylic Acid treats and helps prevent blemishes by penetrating deep into pores to remove dirt and oil. Alpha-Hydroxy Acid works to help smooth fine lines. Formula rinses clean, with no pore-clogging residue.

Skin is clearer, softer and smoother. Fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced.

• Salicylic Acid"

What I say:
What can I say but that this is a pretty good cleanser, and lasts a long time for the amount that you pay for it?  Some might argue that the salicylic acid and AHA in this does not stay on your face long enough for it to really help, but I find that if you spend a little time putting/rubbing this on your face (gently!), it does help quite a bit.  I have noticed a good bit of reduction in my blemishes using this, and so I keep using it.

Note about the active ingredients:  AHA works for both blemish fighting, and supposed reduction of fine lines, even though it doesn't say that on the package.  Just thought you might like to know ^_^.

The scent is very mild, just kinda a soapy background scent that is easily ignored.  This does cause my face to be more taunt that I would like, so I only use this at night, since my face gets quite oily during the day.  A little of this goes a long way; about a pea size is more than enough for my face, so this tube lasts forever.  Speaking of the tube, you will have a lot of product at the bottom of it when you reach the point where you can no longer squeeze any more out.  Be sure to cut it open and transplant the remnents.

One last little thing, this does not work well with a Clarisonic.  I find the best cleansers for the Clarisonic are ones that are more slippery, and this is definitely not one of them.

Overall, great product, and will probably keep repurchasing, since it works well, and is cheap.

4.5/5