Tag Archives: Neutrogena

Skincare Saturday: New Sunscreens on the Market

Reviews, Skincare, , ,

New Suncreen

Sunscreen is one of those things that I’m pretty sure most people don’t find that interesting, and there certainly aren’t that many people that love reading about it on beauty blogs. BUT, it’s something we all need to be wearing, and finding the one that works the best for you is a necessity. We all have different needs in our products, and there’s a lot of sunscreen brands out there with a lot to offer. Here are four sunscreens that are new on the market/new to me, and my thoughts on them.

La Spa & Neutrogena
LaSpa & Neutrogena
  • LASPA SPF 30 Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin (not pictured) & SPF 20 Daily Sun Protection Mineral Sunscreen Lotion: LASPA is a Canadian-made brand that makes mineral sunscreen – a product I was a complete newbie to this year. In essence, mineral sunscreen is a physical protectant rather than a chemical one, and therefore nicer and healthier on you skin (huge thanks to Lindsey at Sustainably Savvy for helping me understand mineral sunscreen better!). It’s chemical, fragrance, paraben, gluten and nut free and has UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection. The downside to mineral sunscreens is that they don’t sink into your skin – leaving you with a somewhat sticky/moisturizing film on your skin. Out of the mineral sunscreen I’ve tried this summer, LASPA makes the best one I’ve tried as it creates the least amount of white reflect – there is still some, but it’s not as hugely apparent as some mineral ones I’ve tried. Unfortunately, I really need/want my sunscreens to fully sink in, and mineral sunscreens just don’t have that ability, so I’m afraid one with a mineral base just won’t be able to suit my needs. However, there is one huge benefit from this one- there’s no scent! No scent is a total rarity in sunscreen as far as I’m concerned! Please be sure to check out Lindsey’s review of this product on her blog – she does a much better job of explaining physical versus chemical and why physical sunscreens are better for the more green-conscious consumer.)
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen SPF 50: I have raved on and on about how much I love the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range of skincare products, so it should come as no surprise that I was fairly excited to see them add an SPF into that range this year as well. I use this sunscreen predominantly on my face because I know that my face has always reacted well to the Hydro Boost gels in the past. I find this sunscreen to be quite moisturizing, and it leaves a bit of a dewy sheen on my face (not unexpected for sunscreen really) but it never felt greasy. I did find that this one had a bit more slip to the product, so you may not need to apply as much as you may be used to with other brands (while still remaining protected).
Aveeno & Coppertone
Aveeno & Coppertone
  • Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60: Much like Neutrogena, Aveeno is one of those brands that I come back to time and time again. They make some of my favourite skincare EVER (I’ve been using their daily moisturizer for about 16 years!). Sadly, this sunscreen didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. I found it didn’t sink in as much as I wanted it to, and it felt a bit greasy. I was honestly quite surprised – Aveeno’s never really let me down before, but I also don’t have a ton of experience with their sunscreens.
  • Coppertone Clearly Sheer Whipped Sunscreen SPF 50: Coppertone makes some of my FAVOURITE sunscreens on the market. I’ve been going back to their Sport Sunscreen for decades because it’s one of the few that won’t drip into my eyes when I’m out for a run or playing soccer. So, suffice to say,  I’m always up for trying out a new Coppertone sunscreen! And I have to say… this whipped formula may be the most fun I’ve ever had with my sunscreen before (yes… really!). It comes out of the can like shaving cream and feels totally luxurious on application. It’s actually a real pleasure to apply this sunscreen – which is not a sentence I ever thought I would say! Who knew sunscreen could be fun?

So those are the latest sunscreens I’ve been trying out lately. Do you have a favourite brand for sunscreen? Tell me!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.

Skincare Saturday: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Range

Reviews, Skincare

Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Neutrogena‘s Hydro Boost skincare range keeps knocking it out of the park for me with every single item they add to their collection. I first fell in love with their Hydro Boost Water Gel back in April 2016 (I can’t believe it’s been that long!!!) and every time I see another product being added to their range I get so excited!

Let me take you through the Hydro Boost products I’ve tried out thus far.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel and Exfoliating Cleanser
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel and Exfoliating Cleanser

I first tried out the Exfoliating Cleanser about a year ago and loved it – it’s got the perfect amount of grit to the formula so that I really feel like my face is being properly exfoliated. The particles are small and plentiful, which is what I always need – I really dislike formulas where there’s too few scrubby bits! I exfoliate about once a week, but I’ve also been able to use this a few days in a row without issue.

New to me is the Hydrating Cleansing Gel which is 100% a new favourite of mine. I use two pumps for a full face wash and the gel consistency feels absolutely wonderful on my face. I have dry skin in the winter and this range really helps to keep the moisture in, BUT it’s also thin enough that I can use these products in the summer without having to worry about them being too heavy for my skin.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum, Gel Cream SPF 15 and Water Gel
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum, Gel Cream SPF 15 and Water Gel

Also new to me is the Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum which I’ve been using consistently before applying moisturizer. The texture is a little bit more thin and slippery than the moisturizers, but it works really well in combination with them. I’ve used some serums that have worked AGAINST the moisturizer in the same range (which is always baffling) and I’m happy to report that this one isn’t one of those!

As I previously mentioned, I’ve been in love with the Water Gel for quite some time (see that previous post here) and it’s what formed my basis for the entire line. In short, the gel texture on this cream is thin and smooth but extremely hydrating. My face actually feels plump after using it and it’s good for both summer and winter as it’s always hydrating but never feels heavy.

In the same vein as the Water Gel, Neutrogena has also added a pump tube of the Hydro Boost Gel Cream, but this time they’ve added SPF 15 to the formula. I do like the ease of application with the pump tube (as the Water Gel is really a bit messy in the tub), however I’m not someone who generally loves SPF in my moisturizer as I’d generally prefer to apply my own separately. That being said, this product is fantastic for those who do what that extra layer of protection from their daily moisturizer and you really can’t beat the pump top for ease of use!

I don’t fall head over heels for a lot of skincare products but the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range is one that has delivered time after time for my skin and that makes me really happy knowing that the quality and consistency of the products is always there for me.

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. Post contains affiliate links.

Skincare Saturday: Skincare Routine featuring Neutrogena!

Reviews, Skincare,

This post is sponsored by iHerb.com.

There are some brands on the market that I always come back to for their staple products, and Neutrogena is definitely one of my top skincare picks that fit into that bucket. I know their products are always going to work for me and provide me with the results I need! For today’s post, I’ve teamed up with iHerb.com to give you a look at a full face routine using Neutrogena as a cornerstone for good skincare.

My first step towards prepping my skin for the day is face wash (as I would assume it is for just about everyone!). It totally depends on what I’m feeling that morning, but I’ll either opt for a gentle cleanser or for a more vigorous scrub a few times a week to slough off any dead skin from my face.

For days when I just need “the usual”, I’ll opt for Neutrogena’s Natural Purifying Facial Cleanser. In terms of face washes, this is one of the most basic I’ve used, and therefore one of the ones I appreciate the most. I don’t need bells and whistles when I’m washing my face – I just need it to the job, and do it well. And that’s exactly what the Purifying Facial Cleanser does for me: it washes away the sleepies from the night before and invigorates me for the day.

Sometimes I do like a more serious scrub on my face (usually about once or twice a week) and lately I’ve been trying out the Neutrogena Acne Foaming Scrub. I am not prone to acne in the least, but I do find I end up reaching for acne scrubs the most – perhaps as a preventative measure? Either way, my skin is being kept clear of acne and it’s getting a slightly deeper cleanse with the little scrubbies suspended within the product.

From here, there’s really two ways I can go with my skincare routine. If it’s a work day, I’ll opt to apply moisturizer and primer before going in with a full face of makeup. The Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer comes with a built in sunscreen with 15 SPF. So for those of you that don’t like SPF in your moisturizer (I’m one of them), this is a great way to get that extra boost of skincare coverage you’ll need while commuting to the office.

I definitely apply moisturizer before I apply my primer, but I wanted to stop for a moment to appreciate this particular moisturizer. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hylauronic Acid has become one of my absolute favourite skincare products in the last year or so. I first reviewed it in April 2016 and I have been completely enamoured with it ever since. I am absolutely in LOVE with this product! This is a really slippery gel cream texture moisturizer that feels incredible on the skin. I was astonished that such a thin formula could actually keep my dry skin hydrated all winter – but it DID! Winter or summer, this moisturizer is an absolute dream on my skin and I cannot recommend it enough!

The other way I’ll take my skincare is if I’m heading out for a run or to soccer on the weekends. I don’t need the facial primer, but I DEFINITELY need sunscreen on my face and body. One of the more comfortable sunscreen formulas on the market is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55. It’s one of the least sticky formulas I’ve tried and leaves me with the very thinnest film possible on the skin (because let’s get real – no matter how much we want it, there isn’t a single suncreen on the market that is going to feel like you’re touching your own skin). It sinks in fast, and is water and sweat resistant – which means it’s not going to be seeping into my eyes while I’m out for a run or playing a game on a hot summer day.

And if you need to clean up quickly? Grab your Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes and give yourself a pat down. I’ll never be more grateful than when I rediscover a packet of Neutrogena wipes in my bag. Whether your hands are sticky, or your face feels greasy (or heck, even your hands from having just applied sunscreen!), these are always here to save the day.

I’ve mentioned iHerb.com before and I just wanted to make sure to reiterate a few things: they sell over 35,000 products and ship to over 160 countries.  And? Their shipping is INCREDIBLY cheap, even to Canada! For an order around $60, the shipping cost is coming out to about $9 CAD and that includes pre-paid duties when you choose to ship via DHL. You also have the option to choose $0 shipping, but you do run the risk of getting hit by Canadian customs when it clears the border. As a Canadian, I cannot STAND paying exorbitant shipping fees and iHerb ensures that I don’t.  iHerb.com is also a Google trusted store and their Customer Service team can provide support in 10 different languages.

Even better? Get a 10% instant discount on your next Neutrogena order via iHerb by clicking here!

Do you have a typical skincare routine? Or do you shake it up? What brands are your favourites?