For many years, I had used the ‘cotton-puff-with-bottled-cleansing-lotion’ method to clean away makeup on my face every night before makeup remover wipes became my new best friend. And because I have oily/combination, eczema-prone and sensitive skin, I would only pick oil-free products that wouldn’t clog pores or make my face feel even oilier, stickier or uncomfortable.
But there’s one drawback to this.
Cleansing lotion or wipes aren’t completely effective at removing waterproof makeup so I still need to get a separate eye makeup remover whenever I put on a stubborn mascara which actually defeats the whole purpose of trying to achieve a faster and efficient makeup removing regime.
Today, I’m going to review two new cleansing oils that come with non-comedogenic formulas (don’t clog pores!). Introducing Neutrogena’s latest two additions to their Deep Clean range of cleansers:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Hydrating Cleansing Oil and Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Cleansing Oil
Both cleansing oils are supposed to work like 3-in-1 facial cleansers that not only (1) remove make-up (including waterproof ones), (2) clear skin of dirt and impurities but also (3) hydrate or brighten the skin while cleansing.
I put my current makeup products to the test…
What I had here (from left to right) were Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss, Clinique Long Last Lip Stick, Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil, Laneige BB Cushion and Missha BB Cream.
With just one squirt of the cleansing oil that was transparent in colour, I started rubbing the skin in gentle circular motions and could already notice most of the traces of makeup were gone in seconds. (Note: Red and green were the colours of the bottles, not the solution.)
I added a few drops of water to the same patch and the cleansing oil turned into a milky/white solution. This cleansing oil is formulated with a non-comedogenic micro-emulsion that consists of water, oil and surfactants – that was why it transformed into soft cleaning milk with a touch of water. I continued rubbing for a few more seconds before wiping off with a cotton puff and then rinsing off with water.
What was left behind was just a faint streak of black colour from the eyebrow pencil which was easily removed with my usual facial cleanser. As with all makeup removers, it’s always best to go an extra step of using a facial cleanser after removing your makeup for a more thorough cleanse.
Both the Deep Clean Hydrating Cleansing Oil and Deep Clean Brightening Cleansing Oil worked the same and the only differences between them were their fragrances and properties.
The Hydrating Cleansing Oil which has a light and refreshing smell of cucumber juice, contains cucumber extract that helps hydrate skin and keep it soft. Cucumis sativus (cucumber juice) has high water content and natural sugars that are potent humectants that retain the skin’s natural moisture.
The Brightening Cleansing Oil which has a sweet fruity aroma, contains mulberry extract that also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and niacin (vitamin B) that slows down pigment formation and inhibit melanin production respectively hence revealing new skin cells and brightening the overall skin complexion.
After trying out both products, my initial perception of cleansing oils had indeed changed for the better. I liked the after-cleansed sensation that left my skin feeling soft and supple without stripping off the natural oils. And it didn’t leave behind any oily or sticky feel on my face too. Comparing with the wipes I’m using currently as well as the lotion I had used previously, these cleansing oils prove to be more effective formulas in cleaning away makeup in the most gentle manner and in the quickest time possible. Best part is, I don’t even need to use soap to wash away the ‘oil’ on my hands because they aren’t very ‘oily’ to start with and they rinse off very easily under running tap water.
Price wise, it is slightly costlier than similar products from other brands but as Neutrogena has always been my trusted brand for sensitive skin, I would rather go for the brand/product that is suitable for my skin type so I can remove my makeup without worries.
Neutrogena Deep Clean Hydrating Cleansing Oil (200ml) and Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Cleansing Oil (200ml) are now retailing at S$29.90 each and are available at Guardian and Watsons.