I have a throw blanket in my living room that is the softest thing you’ve ever wrapped yourself in. After I use it, I’m completely covered in fluff. This throw is essentially the pet I never wanted. The only way for me to completely remove the debris from this blanket is by using a lint roller. “What’s this got to do with washing my face?,” I hear you ask.

Allow me to explain. Your face is constantly covered in gunk that you don’t even know about. The only way to remove this and keep your face truly clean is by diligently washing your face. Just like you don’t notice that you’re covered in fluff until it’s too late, we generally don’t notice that our face is dirty until we see obvious results – like the dreaded zit.

Neutrogena’s face washes contain the perfect balance of ingredients (as we’ll soon see) to thoroughly cleanse your skin. Whether you’re looking to combat acne, or just need a face wash that will “do the job,” you’ve come to the right place. You get quality solutions for all your skincare needs from Neutrogena.

Still not sure why you need to be investing in a good face wash? Read on to find out.

The Importance Of Regularly Using Face Wash Explained

Washing your face daily is a must.

We all know that during the course of the day your face builds up dirt and unwanted debris. When left uncared for this leads to an excessive build up of oils and dead skin cells. This means that without washing your skin products which you may be using to ‘help’ are unable to penetrate the skin effectively. So, before you claim that a product “just isn’t doing its job,” make sure you’re doing yours! Washing your face daily allows your skin to regenerate and generally keep your face looking fresh.

Cleaning your face ensures your skin maintains an adequate level of hydration. When your skin is dehydrated it not only feels rougher, it can also end up looked duller leading to premature wrinkles and aging. You want to maintain the pH of your skin and the best way to do that is to make sure your body is getting the water it needs.

Having said that, washing alone only removes about 65% of dirt and oils from the skin, so it’s essential to add a quality facial wash to your skin care routine! Make sure your face cleanser contains two important ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Caprylic Triglyceride. They’re a bit of a mouthful but let me talk you through them. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is best known in derm-ville for being a surfactant.

Surfactant’s are cleansing agents, so this is what really clears your skin of all that debris. And it lathers nicely too. Moving on to Caprylic Triglyceride. This substance, derived from coconut oil and glycerin, is a skin conditioning agent. They’re famous for targeting your sensitive and oily skin. It helps to replenish the skin and avoid moisture loss. It’s a gentle but effective ingredient in many cosmetics. Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about Neutrogena and why they’re your new go-to face wash brand.

Neutrogena Acne Face Wash Review

The main ingredient in Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne Face Wash is Salicylic acid which is a prominent substance for acne treatment. It’s an exfoliant that can remove inflammation by opening clogged pores. It also increases cell turnover encouraging skin to regenerate faster. As if it couldn’t get better Salicylic acid also increases collagen production – a natural substance in our bodies that strengthens and tightens the skin.

It’s important to note that Salicylic Acid is only effective when used over a long period of time. It really gets to the root of the problem, it’s not just outwardly effective. This means you need to give products that contain Salicylic Acid a chance before you decide it’s not working for you.

I really like that this product comes with a pump as this is always the cleanest way to dispense and apply lotion!

Some face washes (especially oil-free ones) tend to over dry your skin but that’s not the case with this face wash. I don’t have acne per se but it has definitely reduced the blemishes on my skin and cleared it out. You have to use it over time to see results but when it comes to acne it really is a matter of targeting the root of the problem.

Quick fixes are only temporary. My skin started to peel initially but anyone who has done a thorough skin cleanses will know this is just dead skin removing itself. I will say that this product doesn’t really deal with the scarring, but I would recommend using raw vitamin E oil as it regenerates the skin.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Face Wash Review

Pile of sliced grapefruit.

Neutrogena’s Grapefruit Face Wash is another in their Oil-Free face wash range. If you’re wondering why you need an oil-free product, to begin with, let me elaborate. If you don’t hydrate your face regularly or suffer from a shiny complexion your skin is producing extra oils (to over-compensate for any lost ones). This can lead to clogged-up pores, excess bacteria and acne. Oil-free skin care products are usually non-comedogenic, which means they don’t clog pores and are normally water based.

If you’re looking to combat acne or remove any general debris from rough skin, then Neutrogena’s Grapefruit Face Wash has got your back. The main component in grapefruits is vitamin C which is an antioxidant. This means it produces collagen to tighten and detoxify the skin. It’s basically a super-hydrant that is not an oil. Grapefruit also contains a phytochemical called Naringin which reduces toxins in the liver.

This results in healthier skin that starts at the core. It’s also an anti-inflammatory so reduces that overall redness you sometimes get with oily, irritated skin. This face wash cleanses away stubborn debris. The stuff that usually removed by regular face washes. It also contains maximum strength Salicylic Acid to unclog those pores. And it smells amazing to boot.

Neutrogena Men’s Face Wash Review

Men’s skin care is generally greatly overlooked. The truth is men have skin just as much as women do (shocker!) So shouldn’t it be treated like women’s? Okay so most men don’t want to commit (or admit) to an extensive skincare routine but the CTM regime (cleansing, toning, and moisturizing) is equally important for men and women. A man’s skin is somewhat different from a woman’s.

With this in mind, Neutrogena has formulated a Men’s Face Wash, to deliver to your masculine needs. Men tend to have larger pores and larger oil glands than women. So, while I agree that any cleanser is better than no cleanser, you shouldn’t have to settle for your girlfriend’s face wash just yet.

The active ingredient in this face wash is Coco-Glucoside derived from coconut oil and fruit sugars. It works as a surfactant (aka a foaming agent) to cleanse the skin by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be effectively rinsed off. Another element of this substance is that it enhances the existing moisturizing properties in the product.

This makes Neutrogena’s Men’s Face Wash an invigorating cleanser leaving your skin feeling fresh and able to ‘breath’. After an intense workout at the gym or just a long day in the office, this is what you want to be using to revive your face!

DIY Natural Face Wash Recipe And Guide

At-home remedies are always the way to go.

There’s something truly satisfying about knowing exactly what’s going onto your skin. One of the only ways this can occur is if you start making certain products yourself! Let me show you an easy way DIY natural face wash and recipe.

In terms of natural oil-free face washes these are far and few between. This is mainly because oils are an important emulsifier when it comes to making any at-home remedies. Most natural oils are not seen as inherently harmful. That being said, Castile Soap, a vegetable-based emulsifier is a less aggressive oil base you can use. Mix ¼ cup of this with 1/3 cup of raw Manuka Honey.

Honey is famous for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. They are crucial in combatting the debris and oils that cause acne. Add 3 drops of pure tea tree essential oils to this mixture to add that kick. Tea tree oil is touted for its ability to treat acne. Similar to honey it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial elements. It penetrates deep into the skin unclogging those pores and disinfecting them. It’s exactly what you need to clear up your skin and give it a real hydration boost.

Shake this mixture before each use and use as a normal face wash. The lack of preservatives used in home-made products means the shelf-life of this face wash is shorter than regular washers. Try to use this up within the month – your skin will thank you for it too.

Conclusion

Whichever way you look at it, Neutrogena has you covered in terms of effective face washes. It’s boring to read the ingredients labels of products. It’s important to know which chemicals your skin has been exposed to. So, let me go back to my favorite throw blanket. You might not see that your face needs that thorough cleanse but trust me it does. It’s essential in maintaining your collagen production and removing the debris from your face.

The fewer chemicals you use in doing this the better the chances of really dealing with the root of the problem than just temporarily fixing the symptoms. That’s where a good home-made remedy comes in. You know exactly what the ingredients are and can tailor them to suit your skin!

You can’t just rely on the products out there to clear up your acne. There are many factors that can contribute to over-oily or blemished skin. Make sure to get enough sleep, drink enough water, and exercise to boost blood circulation. But if you’ve tried all of this to no avail head to your local drugstore to pick up an oil-free Neutrogena face wash, or better yet have a go at the DIY recipe!