Some of you might remember my musing about how a discount can affect my purchasing patterns when I picked up the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion Makeup Remover. Irrational as it was, I love it when an impulse purchase like that turns out to be a good buy. Better yet, its a bargain good buy!
The Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion is a true blue winner for me. I have combination-dry skin where I’m oily on the forehead, nose and chin and dry on the cheeks. Quite a common affliction in this hot and humid tropical climate we live in.
The Neutrogena Cleansing Lotion boasts that it removes all makeup, even waterproof mascara. So, I put it to the test. I’d use a piece of cotton with some cleansing lotion to clean my eye area and waterproof mascara. It cleans off eyeshadow and liner well enough but takes a bit of wiping for waterproof mascara to be fully cleaned off. So I prefer to use a dedicated eye makeup remover instead like my L’oreal Eye and Lip makeup remover. I also found that if I got the lotion into my eyes, it stings! I hate that 😛
It comes into its own when used on the face. For the face, I’d squirt 2-3 pumps of cleansing lotion into my palm, rub my hands together and then massage the lotion all over my face. I’m prepared to be generous with its use because its not bank-breaking after all.
After massaging my face with the lotion for a few minutes (its quite relaxing really), I place a piece of tissue paper over my face to soak up the excess lotion and then wipe off the residue. What I’m left with is a nice clean face. Lovely!
I do this right before I get into the shower and then I rinse my face and use a different cleanser after that. You probably don’t have to but I’m used to double cleansing and I believe it gets my skin cleaner and more trouble free.
Using this method, I’ve not touched any cleansing oil in this time and I think I might not touch another cleansing oil after this or for a very long time more anyway. This Cleansing Lotion seems to suit my skin fine, leaving it feeling clean and moist (no dry tight feel) and might even be keeping my skin nice and clear. Best of all, its cheap as chips!
A 200ml bottle of Neutrogena Cleansing Lotion retails at RM22.90 or if you’re lucky like me, you could get it for RM19.88 when it goes on sale.
Pros: Cleans off makeup well, Leaves skin feeling clean and moist, Very affordable
Cons: Stings the eyes, Waterproof mascara takes a while to remove
I groused about not finding this in a smaller size than the 200ml bottle it comes in, but now I’m grousing about it not coming in a larger bottle! Women! Can’t please them eh? 🙂
Have you tried this one? Does it work for you?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
fiza says
Hello Paris !! I’m definitely buying this. Well actually I’ve bought Loreal’s Cashmere Makeup Remover but turned out it clogged my pores, leaving my forehead with tiny bumps. I’ve tried Neutrogena’s once (which belongs to a friend) and you’re so right. It doesn’t sting, dry or leave the skin taut.
Just a question. I’m currently using gel moisturizer and mineral powder on my face (no heavy liquid foundation), is it still necessary to use a makeup remover? TQ
ParisB says
Hi Fiza
So long as you put makeup on your face, yes you should use a remover. Besides I sometimes use this cleansing lotion even if I don’t use makeup 🙂
Nikki says
Good morning PB!
I have used this in the past, not outstanding but not bad 🙂
ParisB says
Morning Nikki!
Yep! Its especially good for the price actually heh…
prettybeautiful says
i have this too! i think it works awesome for the price 😀 i bought it at RM16 or so sometime ago, so worth it!
ParisB says
Hiya prettybeautiful
You’re right – its awesome for the price even at the full price of RM22+!
Ling says
Hi, PB,
Is the lotion watery type or milky type?? Tempted to get one now!! ^^
ParisB says
Hi Ling
Its the milky sort – holds its shape but still liquid if that made sense 😛 Like body lotion.
aiyu says
hmm…makeup remover, then this lotion, then cleanser again. That’s 1 too many steps for me. I’m too lazy ! :p
ParisB says
Hi Aiyu
LOL I’m quite used to a long cleansing routine but you can just as easily use this cleansing lotion on its own since it removes everything and you don’t need another cleanser. I just like using one.
Eli says
What a coincidence! I have been been using the cream version of this for the past week without double-cleansing and I am in love. Its a lot less stripping than I expected it to be.
ParisB says
Hi Eli
That’s a coincidence indeed! Does it come in a cream version? I did not pay attention 😛
Eli says
We don’t get the lotion version in Australia! But I doubt it makes much of a difference, really.
Alexis says
I always use my favourite BABOR HY OL (cleansing oil) as my make up remover, i tried both lotion and also those bi-phase make up remover, however i still find that the cleansing oil I been using still the best, even for heavy, waterproof mascara. This is my personal perference, I do know that alot of us still reluctant to try out an OIL cleanser, but with good ingredients in the product, oil cleanser actually very suitable for daily use especially to remove the make up and dirth after one whole day of outing / work. 🙂
ParisB says
Hi Alexis
I haven’t tried Barbor but I’ve been using cleansing oils for a long time. This is in fact, one of my first times using a cleansing lotion instead. Some people do find that cleansing oils are a little too stripping of their skin and some people develop reactions. Thus far, my favourite cleansing oils are the Kanebo Blanchir Make Off Conditioner, I Nuovi Cleansing Oil and Kose Softymo 🙂
Synaesthesia says
I dunno but maybe my skin is too dry for lotion as I’ve tried The Body Shop lotion makeup remover before and I don’t like it at all. My favourite still the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, is expensive I know… Hahaha… My friend also using this Neutrogena Cleansing Lotion and according to her is pretty nice… I’ll give it a try after I had finished up my SkinFood Parsley Cleansing Mousse…
ParisB says
Hi Synaesthesia
Actually, I’d always been told that dry skin should go for lotion so it doesn’t dry out so much. But a lot of it is to do with personal preference. My skin can’t quite tolerate the Shu Uemura cleansing oil even if it handles other oils well. Its personal 🙂
Kay Es says
Hi Paris
i’m now using a Liz Earle milk cleanser from the UK. purchased through ebay after reading good reviews of it. its good but due to unavailability in Malaysia, i will definitely consider this neutrogena cleanser after the liz earle one finishes. thanks for the review.
ParisB says
Hi Kay Es
You’re welcome! I hope you like it.
Natalie says
I’m using the third bottle right now! 🙂
ParisB says
Hey Natalie
That good eh?! 😀
Cyndi says
I got this around the time you bought yours and so far I think my skin loves it as well. My skin could not tolerate cleansing oil and cleansing milk can be too mild so this is something which I can finally use to get a clean face!
ParisB says
Hi Cyndi
By this time if you aren’t breaking out, your skin probably likes it 🙂 Isn’t it great to get something cheap that works?
Jessie says
instead wipe off with tissue or cotton, can it be rinse off straight with water???
ParisB says
Hi Jessie
You probably can but I prefer to use a piece of tissue first. There is mild exfoliation due to the friction of the tissue paper with your skin and you can be sure you are getting off all the lotion and makeup from your skin. I tried rinsing right off but it felt a little oily after that.
YJia says
Hi Paris ,
I’m using this cleansing lotion too and it is really great !
becoz it is in lotion type n not like the cleansing oil , very oily and takes some time 2 wipe off.
But normally i dun use it as eye make up remover too coz it will goes into my eyes as well ^^Normally i use clinique “take the day off”.
this cleansing lotion is very convenient and ease 4 d lazy ppl like me.
oh ya , by the way , i do not make up always , i am just a student. i will use the cleansing lotion every time when i put on the sunblock.
this is something to share v everyone, bcoz i’ve made a consultation v the clinique counter n the consultant advice me muz use make up remover everytime u use the sunblock.
and i’ve noticed that my pores looks blocking ady b4 i use the make up remover.
but now , it is clean and tighter ^^
the “niu er” of taiwan “nv ren wo zui da” mentioned that we need 2 use make up remover everytime we use sunblock too ^^
so sisters ~ jz dun make ur pores be block ^^
ParisB says
Hi Yjia
I must agree with you on this one. Sunblock or sunscreen is usually thick and they stick to the skin – its made that way to protect our skins. So, using a makeup remover or oil cleanser helps. Thanks for sharing.
Corrine says
Hey Paris,
You’re right about Neurogena Cleansing Lotion. It does works wonder but like you said, it really stings the eyes… 🙂
There’s another cleansing lotion i used called Cetaphil. Kinda expensive but it’s good…. RM36++ per bottle
SueLynn says
Hi Paris,
I was just wondering-it says “oil-free” on the box. Thus, when I use this prior to my usual foaming cleanser, is it still considered “double-cleansing”?
Thanks in advance. 😀 Love your blog, as well as Connie’s & Beetrice’s. I’m a lurker most of the time, though :p
ParisB says
Hi SueLynn
Thanks for your comment! Oil free or not, I use it to remove makeup and I always use a cleanser afterward. To me, yes its still double cleansing because you cleanse twice 🙂
Eisse J says
I tries this for a couple of weeks and I like the silky texture (medium consistency) whereby I could massage my face while cleaning. Nevertheless…it STINGS my eyes (T.T). Doesn’t completely remove makeup for me though.
Eddie says
Hi Paris B!
May I know where I can get this cleansing lotion?
And just to clarify, once I use this and a cleanser afterwards, it is considered double cleansing and it will remove all the makeup which I put on earlier right?
Would appreciate a prompt reply as I need to restock my makeup remover ehehehe
Thank in advance! 🙂
ParisB says
Available at most pharmacies in Malaysia and you don’t have to use a cleanser afterwards but you can if you want to. It does a decent job removing most makeup.
Eddie says
also another question.
Can I just massage it over my face for a while and then just rinse it off?
Thanks!
ParisB says
You can. I personally find it cleaner to tissue off first then rinse.
aoibhealfae says
I bought it three days ago when I got bitten by the shopaholic bug while I was surfing from my lecture’s hall wifi, so I grab a ride in monorail and went to Berjaya Times Square and went out RM100 lighter (I was on budget, oh well) but happy….
Among my purchases was this HG!!
Biore Cleansing Oil cause my skin to break out like mad (My MA gift it to me since my skin is quite dry which is from the air-con and NOT my genes) and I’ve been seeking a good one cleanser that could remove some of my heavy duty waterproof layer on my face and then when I found a tester for this beauty, I was immediately bought by the milky texture and the cleansing action… one swip and all the eyeshadow tester on the back of my hand is gone! and no yucky residue!
Since I’m used to hearing of Draize test and what not. I’m more concerned on how some “eye-friendly” remover was not really friendly to your eye at all. (some makeup company don’t really use toxicity testings on anything (rabbits or human) so know your risk) Plus, any products that gets into your eye will need a load of eye wash. And its harder to get oil-based remover out of my eyes that I’m still not used to the blurry image that I get which may irritate the eye at long interval.
And as for if it stings or not, you just need to really close your eyes tightly so that it won’t get into your eyes. The texture is quite heavy that you know it was still on your skin even when your eyes are closed.
Sandylee says
Any comments of Neotrogena Ultra Sheer complete UV Waterlight Lotion? Is it good for combination and oily skin with acne in T-zone like me?
ParisB says
I’m not sure if this is the one you mean but here’s an old review of the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock