Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Combination Skin – Review

What the Product Is:

·   A lightweight dual-action moisturizer that “normalizes” combination skin

What The Product Does:

·  Moisturizes where skin is dry without leaving it oily or shiny: Lightweight, non-greasy formula.. Skin looks and feels softer and smoother.

·  Oil-absorbing Microsponge system controls oil and in the T-zone and wherever skin is oily: . Clinically proven oil-absorbing Microsponge® system controls oil and shine in the T-zone, or wherever skin is oily for a natural, matte finish all day.

·  Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free

·  Contains no alcohol, oil or fragrance

How and When To Use It:

Smooth one pump on skin evenly daily after cleansing. Works well with or without make-up. For combination skin types.

Ingredients:
Water, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Lysine Thiazolidine Carboxylate, Tocopherol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Benzalkonium Chloride

Warnings:
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If product gets into eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.

Price: Standard single sized bottle of 118 ml (weird quantity!) sells for Rs. 250

Pros:

1. I don’t know what this microsponge system is (the lotion is very smooth to touch – I cannot feel any tiny sponges, but I suspect it is  Acrylates Copolymer - ), but it works quite well. I generally need a moisturizer for my dry bits, but that means blotting my nose and forehead throughout the day to get rid of the oil. This really does “normalize” my skin for upto 4 to 5 hours. I thought this was a rather lofty claim, but it actually delivers. 

2. The only moisturizer I know of specially formulated for combination skin

3. Completely non-oily, it is excellent to use as a base under make-up. 

4.  I have not got any pimples in my last 3 weeks of usage so it is really non-comedogenic

5.  The Pump bottle: This deserves a point by itself. Not only is the product sold in a pump bottle which dispenses the correct amount, but the pump even features a swivel lock. Twist the pump top the right and the bottle is locked. So no accidental leaks even if you carry the bottle in your bag. 

6.  There is no fragrance to the product. This is fine with me. And it feels very cool and refreshing on the skin. 
 

7.  The texture is light. Like a lotion. Absorbs instantly. 

8.  For those who are a little more into ingredient lists like me, this product has Silica. Silica's water bonding qualities attract and hold moisture to the skin and helps damaged skin heal faster. It has been proven in research that lotions containing small quantities of silica greatly enhance the penetration of water, oils, and collagen into the epidermis of aging dehydrated skin. Silica also helps to reduce shine and give oily skin a matt look.

Cons:

1. The pump is very powerful, it can propel the lotion across the room unless you are careful. I am not joking, this has happened to me twice already. 

2. Skin feels a little dry and stretchy in the initial 10 minutes immediately after application, for some reason. You might be tempted to infact dismiss this product due to that weird dry feeling. But it settles down after 30 minutes and then the skin feels moisturized the entire day – but never oily

3.  No SPF. 

4.  If your dry bits are, well, very dry, you may not find this to be moisturizing enough. & if you have an oil rig on your T zone with production in overdrive – well, then too the mattifying microsponges may fail you. This is truly meant for skin in middle . 

5.  Has Parabens as preservatives – for those of you who are off this ingredient.

Tips:

1.  I use only one pump in the morning. I find that sufficient. Initially when I was overzealous and used two pumps for 2-3 days in a row, I noticed my skin started to dry out and it also left behind a film.

Will I buy this again: Yes, this is a very good day time moisturizer, it leaves no residue, suits my skin to the T, & also has some mattifying power for about 4-5 hours. After that it is back to the blotting sheets. Or a freah application of the lotion.