The skincare and beauty industry is a very vast one and is still growing every day. There are oh, so many brands, old and new, and Neutrogena is one of the topmost in the industry. So we are taking a look at one of their more popular acne face washes, Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash.
The oil-free acne face wash is designed to noticeably reduce any redness that is caused by acne. While doing this, it also combats any causative agent that would encourage future breakouts of acne.
To enhance its efficacy, it employs the use of Microclear technology. This technology cuts through every oil barrier so that salicylic acid, a proven acne treatment, would be properly delivered.
What’s more, irritation is soothed by the infusion of chamomile and aloe into the wash. These give you a clearer, less irritated skin. To learn more about how to effectively use an acne face wash, read this article here.
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Who Is the Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash Best for?
It is best for people who have acne-prone skin and just about anyone who needs to treat acne and breakouts.
What this means is that just about any skin type can use it; oily, dry, combination, normal, sensitive. This is because acne-prone is not necessarily a skin type on its own.
Someone with dry skin can be prone to acne, as unbelievable as this may sound. You see, excess production of oil is not the sole cause of acne. It could come as a result of genetics, hormones, poor eating habits, poor health and other factors.
So, if you find that you usually break out with acne and it leaves your face red and sore, this face wash is meant for you. It goes deep into the skin to handle impending breakouts. So whether the acne is out or not, you can use this ahead of time.
Features of Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
Salicylic Acid
In skincare, there are two types of acids that are good for the skin. They are alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids. Salicylic acid falls under the beta category.
This means it is more oil-soluble than water-soluble. Why is this good? It is good because it is capable of going much deeper into the skin to open clogged pores, as opposed to water-soluble acids. Those types just stay on the surface of the skin to soften and remove caked dead skin.
Its ability to open clogged pores from deep within the skin, allowing the skin to breathe, is what makes it great as an acne medicine. It makes breakouts go away quicker and makes it harder for them to return.
Microclear Technology
The Microclear technology works in tandem with salicylic acid. It is made up of three active ingredients that work together to make the acid effective.
These ingredients are: benzalkonium chloride, phospholipids and lactate molecules. Benzalkonium chloride is an agent that cleanses at the root cause of skin imperfections. Phospholipids are emollients that soften the skin. And lactate molecules encourage sebum, or oil if you will, to become dissolved from the skin.
These team up to prepare the way for salicylic acid to work deep within the skin’s pores, releasing all its effectiveness in fighting acne.
With the Microclear technology and salicylic acid, getting rid of acne is made faster and more effective. Without the technology, the acid will still work, no doubt. But it would not be as fast and as effective as it would be with it.
Chamomile
This plant is not only good for making a cup of tea, you know. It has a lot more to offer than that. Apart from helping to reduce stress and to aid digestion, it is also great for the skin.
It is a naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It is known to work from the inside to the outside in soothing inflammatory skin conditions. Inflammations that come from conditions like rosacea and eczema have been known to subside with chamomile.
In the same manner, then, it helps soothe the inflammation and redness that come from really bad acne. Some incidents of acne could leave your face looking all blotchy and inflamed.
But the presence of chamomile in this face wash helps tone this down. Moreover, not only does it soothe, it also encourages the healing process to be faster. Breakouts are impeded by the presence of this plant.
Aloe
Like chamomile, aloe vera has antioxidants as well as vitamins C and A, and enzymes. Plus, it combines anti-inflammatory properties to combat inflammation and redness on the skin.
Additionally, it exfoliates the skin. So, not only does it calm angry skin, it also removes dead and flaky skin.
Dead skin prevents any skincare product from performing maximally. It also keeps new skin from showing. You get both exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties with aloe.
Is Using Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash Difficult?
No, it is not. It is a simple routine you can add to your daily one, if you have any. First, you need to get your face wet because it is a wash.
Then, put a little of it into your hand, add a little water and rub them together to create a lather. Rub it on your wet face as gently as possible for a few minutes. Get it to touch every part of your face before you rinse it off with lots of water.
Depending on your needs and the type of skin you have, you could use it twice a day, daily or every other day.
Pros of Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
i. The face wash is soft and gentle on the skin.
ii. Irritated skin is soothed when it is used.
iii. It doesn’t just work on the surface; it works from deep within the skin.
iv. The presence of Microclear technology makes it even more effective.
v. Additionally, it comes in a bottle with a pump, making it easy to use.
vi. Plus, it is suitable for every skin type.
vii. And it is affordable.
Check out these interesting acne product reviews/articles:
Clean and Clear® Oil-free Deep Action Cream Acne Cleanser – In-depth Review
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil-Eliminating Foaming Acne Facial Cleanser – In-depth Review
AcneFree 24 Hour Severe Acne Clearing System – Detailed Review
Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser – Detailed Review
Neutrogena Naturals Acne Foaming Facial Scrub – In-depth Review
Clean and Clear® Oil-free Pore Cleanser Daily Acne Face Wash – In-depth Review
Cons of Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
i. It has some scent. This could be a problem for users with sensitive noses.
ii. Despite its price, the fluid content is quite small.
iii. Besides, it may take a little while to give the first results.
Alternatives to Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
Higher-end Option – Neutrogena Oil-free Pink Grapefruit Acne Face Wash
It is more of a scrub and offers just about the same benefits as the one in our review. But the extra with it is that it offers a bit more fluid content and tackles blackheads, too.
Opposite Spectrum – TreeActiv Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser
This option employs sulfur and peppermint oil, as against salicylic acid. If you have an allergy to the acid, you could try this option. Plus, it is a good anti-aging face wash so you get so many other benefits from it apart from treating breakouts.
Higher-end Option – Humane Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Body & Face Wash
Used both on the face and body, this face wash uses benzoyl peroxide in its maximum strength to treat acne. Not only does it treat acne, but it also kills off acne-causing bacteria and discourages future breakouts. Additionally, it has no chemicals that could prove harmful to the skin.
Comparison Table
Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
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Neutrogena Oil-free Pink Grapefruit Acne Face Wash
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TreeActiv Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser
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Humane Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Body & Face Wash
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| Active Ingredient | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Sulfur and Peppermint Oil | Benzoyl Peroxide |
| Microclear Technology | Applicable | Yes | No | No |
| Vitamin C | No | Contains vitamin C | Yes | No |
| Unisex | Yes | Applicable | Yes | Yes |
General Feeling among Users of Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
Given that it is super affordable and easy to access, plus the benefits it gives, users are truly appreciative. There are many drugstore acne face washes available, even from recognized brands. But to find one that employs the Microclear technology at this price is a bonus.
Additionally, apart from the few who are allergic to salicylic acid, people generally like how it works. They like how it is gentle yet effective. And they like that its effectiveness starts from deep within the skin to the surface, fighting acne from the core.
Our Take on Neutrogena Oil-free Redness Soothing Acne Face Wash
The combination of salicylic acid and Microclear technology are favorites with us. We like how they work in synergy to combat acne from the root up.
We also like how it is pocket-friendly, even with all it has to offer, and readily available.
However, it is quite small. This means it may run out quite early. Second, it may take some time to work for some people.
Then there is the small issue of scent. This could mar its acceptance among users.
