While cooped up at home through the Circuit Breaker and Phase 1, our beauty habits changed. Like the Daily Vanity team, you probably fell into either of two camps: slathering on layers of skincare, or neglecting your beauty routine altogether. If you identify as the latter, your skin may be looking drier and patchier or oilier and more prone to breakouts.
For those who have been struggling with their skin, fret not. We'll show you how to get yourself back on track for smooth, glowy skin, starting with the most important step: cleansing.
Pssst! Read till the end of this article to find out how you can pick up a free skincare sample to help you cleanse your skin well!
The importance of proper cleansing
Now that we're well into Phase 2, consider what your skin is exposed to throughout the day. From makeup and sweat to particles in the environment, your skin faces many external aggressors daily – especially so for those who have resumed work at the office.
When you take the time to remove your makeup and/or sunscreen and cleanse your skin thoroughly, you're helping to remove every last trace of dirt, pollution, and excess oil. Otherwise, the grime of the day will likely lead to clogged pores, dehydration, and irritation. This is why a quick swipe of a face wipe or a splash of water in the shower simply won't cut it.
A two-step cleansing routine paves the way for clearer, healthier-looking skin, so when the DV team heard about Neutrogena LABS' new Micellar Jelly Makeup Removers & Gel Cleansers, we couldn't wait to try them out. Keep reading to meet our new skin BFFs and see how our skin changed over a week when we tried the cleansers.
Neutrogena LABS Micellar Jelly Makeup Removers & Gel Cleansers
Using a gentle approach to address skin issues, Neutrogena LABS has created a line of Micellar Gel Cleansers for both dry and oily skin.
Developed with dermatologists, the brand has formulated the products with Super Magnetic Acid, which is comprised of cleansing molecules that are thrice as large. These molecules are able to attract impurities without disrupting your skin's barrier, so it's mild yet effective. Neutrogena LABS' makeup removers are clinically proven to remove up to 99% of PM2.5 micro-pollutants on the skin, while the gel cleansers are able to remove 97% of them.
If you struggle with dry, reactive skin, try Neutrogena LABS' Hydrating Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Hydrating Micellar Gel Cleanser. Formulated with Poly Hydroxy Acid (PHA), the makeup remover and gel cleanser gently lift off dead skin cells for smoother skin. There's also hyaluronic acid in the formula to give your skin a boost of moisture.
For those with oily, acne-prone skin, reach for Neutrogena LABS' Clarifying Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Clarifying Micellar Gel Cleanser. Besides PHA, the gel cleanser contains salicylic acid, a powerful ingredient that combats blemishes. Salicylic acid effectively unclogs pores, clearing blackheads and dissolving excess sebum along the way so you can wake up to clear skin.
Trying out the cleansers for one week
Based on their skin type, we asked four team members to try a set of Neutrogena LABS' Micellar Gel Cleansers for a week. Take a look at how the cleansers performed and the visible differences we saw!
Nicole, 19
Skin type: Dry, reactive, sensitive skin
Skin concerns: Dullness, bumpy texture, dehydration, clogged pores, and blackheads
Variant: Hydrating Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Hydrating Micellar Gel Cleanser
First impressions
I wear sunscreen, bronzer, and concealer when I work from home, so I was glad that the Hydrating Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover was able to remove my base makeup effectively. I wore an incredibly waterproof mascara on the first day too, which it was able to gently lift off without making my eyelids red. Impressive!
With my previous cleanser, I didn't like the tight and dry feeling it left after each wash. But with the Hydrating Micellar Gel Cleanser, my skin felt soft and smooth. It looked clearer and brighter too – something I didn't expect from only cleansing my skin. I definitely looked forward to using both products again.
After three days
When I checked in on the third day, I noticed that my face felt a lot smoother and softer. After removing my makeup, my skin feels less dry and irritated too. The makeup remover and gel cleanser worked better for me than other ones I used previously. My skin is more hydrated, and it didn't feel dry throughout the day.
After one week
After a week, my skin is less reactive and it definitely looks clearer. There was a large improvement in terms of hydration, and my pores seem to have shrunk a little too. I was a little skeptical of micellar formulas because their multipurpose function seemed too good to be true. However, this hydrating duo has proven that it's possible to remove dirt and makeup well without being harsh!
I liked how lightweight the makeup remover is, and how easy it is to dispense the right amount of product. The gel cleanser has a jelly-like formula that's hydrating, so it soothes my skin and plumps it up! Both of these cleansers have a subtle and pleasant scent that I look forward to as well.
Alyaa, 22
Skin type: Dry, reactive skin
Skin concerns: Bumpy texture, dehydration, clogged pores, and blackheads
Variant: Hydrating Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Hydrating Micellar Gel Cleanser
First impressions
Both the makeup remover and gel cleanser had the signature Neutrogena scent that I love! I appreciate that the makeup remover and cleanser both come with a lock pump so there's no need to worry about spillage.
Some makeup removers require more effort and rubbing to remove my makeup, which can leave my eyes feeling "raw". However, Neutrogena LABS' makeup remover was gentle on my skin and left it feeling clean and looking radiant. My makeup routine has narrowed down to a brow pencil and mascara, and it was able to remove those quickly.
Most cleansers I've tried tend to strip my skin of its natural oils, so it always leaves a squeaky clean, dehydrated feeling after I've washed my face. Thankfully, I had the opposite experience with Neutrogena LABS' gel cleanser. It has a surprisingly thick gel texture that foams up easily, and it left my skin moisturised and supple – maybe even more than my go-to cleanser.
After three days
On the third day, my skin felt softer and looked healthier. I had little bumps on my forehead prior to the trial, and they were smoothed out after three days. Each time I cleansed my skin, it felt supple and more hydrated. It's a fuss-free two-step system, even when I'm in a rush or feeling lazy.
After one week
After seven days, the uneven texture on my forehead is gone and my skin feels smooth and supple now. I like how gentle the makeup remover is, and it's safe for my sensitive eyes. I'm a big fan of the packaging as well – I'm a sucker for a good one.
With the gel cleanser, a little bit goes a long way, so you really do get a bang for your buck. It smoothed out some bumps and rough patches which is great. It smells nice and my skin feels refreshed after every cleanse.
Wan Kee, 27
Skin type: Combination/oily, reactive skin
Skin concerns: Uneven skin tone, large/visible pores, clogged pores, and blackheads
Variant: Clarifying Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Clarifying Micellar Gel Cleanser
First impressions
Since I'm usually bare-faced while working from home, I focused more on blue light and UV protection. One thing I'm guilty of, however, is that I often forget to remove my sunblock with a makeup remover on certain days. With this two-step cleansing routine, it'll be much easier. The packaging looks aesthetic and minimal, and I liked the pump lock function too.
After using the makeup remover to take off my sunscreen, my skin felt soft and clean. It didn't leave a sticky residue on my face. The cleanser has a light, refreshing scent that I like. When I rinsed it off, my face felt smooth but not tight.
After three days
After three days, my skin felt smoother and more balanced. There were fewer clogged pores too, which is probably thanks to the salicylic acid in the gel cleanser. My acne was healing during the trial period, but you can see that my scars and pigmentation are visibly lighter.
After one week
My skin feels much smoother and softer after using both products for only one week. The acne scars on my cheek have faded, which is the best news. I liked that the makeup remover had the consistency of a gel. It's thicker than micellar water, but not as greasy as oil cleansers.
With the makeup remover, I no longer have to worry about forgetting to remove my sunblock. I can remove it effectively in the shower without the use of cotton pads. Following up with a cleanser makes my skincare routine easy and convenient too.
Jade, 28
Skin type: Oily, acne-prone, reactive skin
Skin concerns: Uneven skin tone, large/visible pores, clogged pores, and blackheads
Variant: Clarifying Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover and Clarifying Micellar Gel Cleanser
First impressions
Like Wan Kee, you'll catch me working from home sans makeup. I usually reach for an oil cleanser at night to remove my sunscreen, but lately, I've been finding it a tad too heavy and greasy. That's why I'm glad that this micellar-powered makeup remover has a lighter, more refreshing gel formula. It served as a perfect first cleanse, leaving my skin clean and smooth.
As for the gel cleanser, I was thrilled to see that it contains salicylic acid. Before the trial, I used a separate salicylic acid treatment for zits, so I wondered if the gel cleanser would be able to replace that step to shorten my routine. When I tried the cleanser for the first time, my skin didn't feel dry or tight, which boded well for the rest of the trial.
I still had these hormonal breakouts to heal (the ones I'm pointing at), so I couldn't wait to see if my new two-step cleansing routine would help with that.
After three days
Three days later, my face felt smoother to the touch and my pores looked smaller. The makeup remover has been a breeze to use so far. One pump of product gets my skin clean and preps it for the gel cleanser, which gives my skin a gentle but deep cleanse.
If you notice, my active breakouts have started to calm down too. The scars look lighter than they did three days ago, so I was excited to check-in again on the last day of the trial.
After one week
After a week, my skin felt much smoother and softer. I found it hard to stop touching my face, but I eventually did for the sake of hygiene. My face looked less greasy around the T-zone and more balanced overall.
The makeup remover and gel cleanser have been nothing but kind to my skin with their gentle formulas, yet they worked really well. My pores are less congested and the acne scars have lightened – I couldn't be happier about that.
Neutrogena LABS Hydrating Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover (S$19.95), Hydrating Micellar Gel Cleanser (S$20.95), Clarifying Micellar Jelly Make-up Remover (S$19.95), and Clarifying Micellar Gel Cleanser (S$20.95) are available at all leading supermarkets. The products are also available at Guardian, Watsons, and Lazada.
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