Product Review : Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Foundation

Today we will be reviewing a new obsession of mine (for a very good reason which I will explain later on in the post). The Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Foundation. 

Claims

"Don't just cover up, clear up!
Neutrogena SkinClearing® oil-free makeup is the first and only liquid foundation formulated with MicroClear® technology to not only treat blemishes, but to also help prevent emerging breakouts. MicroClear® technology boosts the power of salicylic acid by breaking through oil and unclogging pores for fast acne relief.
Its shine-free, natural coverage lets skin breathe and won't clog pores.
Now available in 14 beautifully matched shades designed to work across all ethnicities & skin tones. In fact, in a consumer test 100% of women found their perfect match.

• Natural look, breathable feel
• MicroClear® technology treats and helps prevent breakouts
• Controls shine and won't clog pores
• 14 shades " 

- via Neutrogena Website CLICK HERE

Packaging

• 30mls of product/1 FL OZ
• No pump
• Thick, clear, glass bottle
• Plastic lid
• Shade name on the lid

Ingredients

Active Ingredients: 
Salicylic Acid 0.5%. 

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl 4 Oleate, Silicone Polyether Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Chamomila Recuita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (Chamomilla Recutita), C12 15 Alkyl Lactate, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Cetyl Lactate, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Polysilicone 11, Polymethylmethacrylate, Dimethicone, Quaternium 18 Hectorite, PEG 8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate, Silica, Silica Silylate, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride Solution, Ethylene Brassylate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea. 

May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

Trial
Before recording the use of this foundation I had a major (MAJOR!) breakout happen to my skin, so what better time to test the claims of this foundation than during the healing process of acne? 

Before application
Sunscreen & Eye Cream only

After one light layer
blended out with a damp beauty sponge

After full face of makeup
Concealer used. No setting powder, primers or sprays used. 

• Coverage? 4/5
• Buildable? 4/5
• Natural Finish? 5/5
• Evens skin? 4/5
• Blendable? 5/5
• Breathable/Comfortable? 5/5

After 4 hrs wear

• No signs of oiliness
• No signs of fading coverage in any areas
• No signs of caking, flaking or patchiness
• Still comfortable
• Still maintains a natural finish

After 9 hours wear

• Oily along forehead
• Coverage has worn off along my nose and cheeks (where I tend to touch)
• No signs of dry patches or creasing

Final Verdict

I am, like mentioned before, a fan of this foundation. A few weeks ago my skin decided to go haywire and have a mental breakdown... or breakout I should say. So I opted for this foundation in hopes to be able to "conceal" my acne without irritating or encouraging it. 

I found that no, it doesn't give you the appearance of flawless and amazing skin (because honestly, what foundation hides the texture of bumpy acne?), but it does help even out the skin tone, tones down the redness that acne sometimes brings and doesn't irritate or aggravate the acne in any shape, way or form. 

You would expect that wearing foundation over your pimples hinders or stops it from healing, but I didn't find that happening with this. 

I also didn't see myself falling into that vicious cycle of "I wear foundation because I have acne, but I have acne because I wear foundation". 

Now I'm not saying that it completely healed and cured my acne, because I am using it in conjunction with other acne treatments that seem to be working and helping my skin. But it does compliment my acne treatment and doesn't irritate my skin. 

It contains Salicylic acid 0.5% which is about the same as an acne treatment cleanser. If you don't know what salicylic acid does, it pretty much slows down the shedding of cells to prevent the clogging of pores and helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. So if you do suffer from acne or frequent breakouts, a foundation contain a healthy amount of salicylic acid will do good for you. 

I love the finish of the foundation, out of ALL the drugstore foundations I've ever tried, this by far has the most natural skin like finish.

I, like most oily skinned girls, am always looking for that foundation that has a "luminous" and "natural glow" finish, but doesn't make me turn greasy after 2 hours wearing, but as we know that type of product is very difficult to find... until this foundation. It gives me that natural luminous glow without making my skin overly oily, yes if you want to wear this longer than 9 hours you will need to blot, set and powder... but 9 hours wear oil free is amazing enough for me.

This foundation can't be flawless can it? No, it isn't. I do have a pickle. Packaging. It's always the packaging. We all know how fickle some people can be about packaging, and I'm sorry but a glass bottle (without a pump) isn't travel friendly or economical. I found myself always getting more product out of the bottle than needed/wanted because it doesn't have a pump... but I guess it's the product inside that matters? oh well.

Apart from the packaging and lack of coverage, I give this product an overall rating 4/5. I find that out of all my foundations (high end and drugstore) this will be one that I will forever restock and use. 

If you are interested in purchasing this item CLICK HERE to order online. 

I hope you all found this review thorough and helpful. How did you guys find the product? Did it work well for you? 

Thank you for visiting today's post!

xoxo/ Vanessa