Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser

I was so excited to read in other blogs that Neutrogena Wave is finally available locally. It has been on my lemming list since last year but haven't really gotten around to ordering it from the US. I was looking for it last Sunday at Greenbelt and Rustans but couldn't find it.

We went to Mall of Asia yesterday (we waited after the funeral procession of Tita Cory has left Roxas Blvd.) for hubby's orientation for their PSGS convention which was conveniently cancelled when we were already near MOA. I was bent on finding this item so I headed to Watson's and found the Wave when we got there. Yipee!

It costs Php575 for the set including a battery and 14 refill pads. A separate box of 30 refill pads cost Php 400. I got the set to try it out.

It is pink which is the only color available (I know there's a blue and green one too) and small to easily fit one's hand. The pads you just stick to the velcro-like surface, wet the pad well and start the gadget. Move it around your face until the cleanser from the pad foams up and massage.

My thoughts?

It wasn't really an earth-shaking experience for me. The cleanser feels cool like mint on the skin and face feels soft after but I feel it's the same as a facial scrub. Actually, my facial scrub feels better.

The massage the vibration gives does feel good but I don't see how different a microfiber cloth used on the face would be. It would probably exfoliate more.

Yes, I am a little bit disappointed but will continue to use it although not daily since I already have the gadget. I would reuse the pads for 1 or 2 more uses with my own cleanser because they could be pretty expensive in the long run. It would be a waste of money on my part if I toss the Wave aside. Besides, it still is a bit fun to use.

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Eek! I just found out from my favorite online store Drugstore.com that they now have the Wave Duo. It has 2 cleansing speeds: 1) Gentle cleansing and 2) Deep Pore cleansing. Now that would probably be so much better.

Now that I think about it, the reason I am disappointed with this one is because it is gentle. Yup, that's it. I am used to going to dermatologists all my life (because I have had bad acne since high school) and monthly diamond peels, chemical peels, etc. that the Wave seems to do nothing for my skin.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Waterlight Lotion SPF 50

My new HG sunblock! What can I say? I loved Olay Complete but they phased out the one I use. I discovered Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50 but this new one is even better.

The new Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50. It only costs P460 per 30 ml bottle. It does seem a bit more expensive than the the Dry Touch one which is 3 oz at P509 but I use this one whenever I wear mineral makeup. It is a very good base, it even says so in the bottle.

While the Dry Touch is a cream type, this is more watery. You need to shake the bottle well prior to use. The tip opening is small though so you get control on how much product is dispensed. It smells like the Dry Touch one, not really a sunblock smell but is more refreshing and not too floral.

It dries quickly to a matte finish on my oily face. Again, no breakouts at all and no itchies. Regarding the sunblock properties, I've used it on very sunny days and my face did not darken. My face wasn't an oil slick after a few hours either (which often times happened with Olay Complete right after application).

There are 2 variants of this new product. First is the one I mentioned and second is the Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture. It is also in a 30ml bottle much like the former and costs the same at P460. My mom got this one and I tried to see what the difference between the 2 are.

The lotion is more watery (hence the need to shake the bottle)) while Moisture is like Dry Touch, a more creamy type. You also don't need to shake this one. The Waterlight Lotion, I presume is more suitable for oily skin like mine since it is lighter and less creamy. It does not say for what skin type on the bottle so I am presuming any skin type can use both. I am just basing it on how the sunblocks feel on the skin. Also, since it says "Moisture" on the other bottle, it probably works better on those with dry to normal skin or those who want more moisture to their face. I can't comment on the moisturising properties of both because I have oily skin and I use a different moisturizer that's why I got the Waterlight Lotion.

Both have a satiny feel on the skin leaving it soft and matte (or semi-matte). Foundation went on smoothly, too. I just wished they came in a bigger bottle. Well, it would still last long if I don't use it daily. I have the Dry Touch for that.

This is available at all leading department stores and supermarkets. I had a tough time finding mine initially 2 weeks ago. I couldn't find it in Rustan's Supermarket or Essences, not at Robinson's Dept. Store. Instead I got mine at Robinson's Supermarket. I also found this at bigger Watson's stores.

Follow-up Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+

I've been using this for around 1 month now and my intial review can be found here. I did not break out with daily use and the more I use it, the more I like it. I even brought it to Boracay with me and used it daily even when swimming at the beach or the pool. It did it's job as a sunblock because my face and neck did not burn. I liked the light tan I got on my face and neck because the color was even.

Did it sting my eyes? I don't think so because even with sweat pouring down my face (doing household chores at home or the heat at the beach), my eyes didn't hurt.

I had an initial review of it making my face oily after a few hours. I've used it with the Garnier Pure A Daily Moisturiser and the combination was very good for my face. My face wasn't an oil slick like I said before. I think it is important to see which combination of products would work well and if at first it doesn't seem to be doing it's job, give it another shot next time with other products.

I've also used it under makeup with and without a primer over it and it works as a good base too.

I will continue to use it in rotation with my other daytime sunblocks. I'm glad I can find this locally anytime (unless they discontinue this too). Surprisingly, I'm liking this more than my HG Olay Complete SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+

I got the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ with Helioplex earlier this week. My HG Olay Complete SPF 30 for Sensitive skin has been discontinued here in Manila and I'm down to half my bottle (why do they do this? I should have hoarded because it's half the price here than in the US but I didn't know it was going to be discontinued) so I am on the lookout for a high SPF for the face for daily use.

I've heard a lot about this but only tried it out recently. It costs P509 for the 3.0 oz. bottle and can be bought at any department store, drugstore or supermarket locally. Despite the negative (but a lot of positive) reviews, the only way I'll know is if I use it right?

This is an initial review as I've only used it for 2 days.

The product doesn't have an unpleasant smell although it's not the typical sunblock smell either. It's white and has a lotion consistency that isn't too thick. I can spread it evenly over my entire face without it balling up which other people say happens to them. Maybe because my skin is oily? It doesn't leave a white cast on me and my face feels smooth and soft after without a sticky film like other facial sunblocks. I guess that's the dry touch effect.

So far, the 2 days I've used it, I did not feel any burning sensation on my face nor break out in rashes. I don't know if it will sting my eyes because it's been raining the past few days so I haven't been sweating that much (but it is still hot). I notice though that my face looks a bit oily after a few hours. I haven't tried it under makeup so I don't know how it'll fair as a base.

Other countries have the different variants of SPF of this Neutrogena sunblock and based on reviews, the lower SPFs have a better consistency and is less thick although they don't have Helioplex which stabilizes the chemical blockers that breaks down under sunlight.

I do put on a layer of moisturizer before this because this isn't a 2-in-1 product which I prefer. This would be a good one to use for me daily from the neck down. I still need to use it the next few weeks in different conditions for the face and update my review.

Have you tried this product?