A couple of weeks ago I got sent an Influenster VoxBox with complimentary Neutrogena products to try out!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Clay Cleanser/Mask
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask

I’ve been testing the Deep Clean for a few weeks now and just used the sheet mask, and I’m ready to share my thoughts with y’all. Just keep in mind the basic information I’m providing about the products are based on the Canadian websites and packaging.

Deep Clean Purifying Clay Cleanser/Mask

$13.49, 119g
Use: Post-workout, in-shower; Leave on for 5 mins

Ingredients: Water (eau), Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Titanium Dioxide, Trideceth-9, PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate, Xanthan Gum, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Menthyl Lactate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Green 3.

The Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask contains Salicylic Acid, a BHA that exfoliates the skin in the pore lining to help prevent clogged pores turn into blackheads, whiteheads, or a cyst, as well as smoothen skin texture. Glycolic Acid is on the list as well, but the focus for this product seems more about SA; On the US website only lists SA as an active ingredient (0.5%), but the percentage is unknown on the Canadian site and packaging. I typically use chemical exfoliants after a workout in-shower, since that’s when I will be the most oily and more prone to breakouts. For the past few weeks, I have been using the Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser/Mask on my face as well as my back and chest to prevent congestion and body acne. I need a treatment for my back because I still tend to develop painful cysts, and I have some marks leftover to prove it! I like that the cleanser can last for a few minutes on my body without worrying about it washing away.

In the few weeks I have been using this cleanser, my back has not broken out and my chest area looks and feels congestion free! As for my face, the Menthyl Lactate in the Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask sensitizes my skin a bit; I can feel the cooling sensation a lot. While it doesn’t heavily irritate my skin, it is a bothering feeling, especially since it lasts a while after I use the mask. Because of this, it is the reason why I prefer using it on my body or solely after a workout session. I don’t like the unknown percentage of BHA, because I don’t know if it will effectively “Deep Clean” my pores. I opt for Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne wash for my face (and sometimes back) which clearly lists 2% Salicylic Acid.

Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask

$4.89, 30g
Use: Once; Post-shower, after using Deep Clean Purifying Clay Cleanser/Mask

Ingredients: Water (eau), Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chlorphenesin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Chloride, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Tocopherol, Blue 1.

This is probably the most unimpressive sheet mask I have ever tried. As you can see, Hyaluronic Acid is low on the list, and the bottom piece of the mask kept slipping down from my face. I left it on for the recommended 15 minutes and didn’t find anything noticeable with my skin other than it looked somewhat hydrated. That look disappeared quickly and there was no nourishing feeling or look on my skin that I would normally get from other sheet masks in my collection. For $5, my $2 sheet masks do way more with better ingredients and more serum in the pack.

Final Thoughts

The Neutrogena masks are overall decent drugstore skincare products that provide some skin benefits. I personally will pass on the Deep Clean Purifying Cleanser/Mask because the Menthyl Lactate bothers me too much. The Hydrogel Mask was nice but I’d rather pay $2 for a Korean sheet mask that do the same thing. Also, if you have sensitive skin, both do contain Fragrance.

On the Neutrogena Official website, they stated that the ingredients list does not get updated in a timely matter or if the formulation changes, so you must refer to the package for the actual ingredient list of your product. So if you plan on purchasing Neutrogena, it’s best to go to your local drugstore rather than an online shop to make sure you’re getting the exact ingredients you know is in the product.

Hope you found this review helpful!

xo, M