ANOTHER BIG DISAPPOINTMENT~~NEUTROGENA® MULTI-VITAMIN ACNE TREATMENT
Written: Jul 07 '01 (Updated Jan 18 '03)
Product Rating:
Pros: Easy to use "pump" applicator; may help with milder bouts of breakouts.
Cons: Expensive in price; not effective for moderate cases of acne in oily skin.
The Bottom Line: For moderate cases of skin breakouts in acne-prone oily skin, leave Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment on the shelf where it belongs.
melissasrn's Full Review: Neutrogena Multi Vitamin Acne Treatment
In my decades long quest to find that "magic" product to eliminate facial breakouts due to oily, acne-prone skin, I've tried just about every over-the-counter acne treatment there is. While benzoyl peroxide containing preparations, such as Oxy-10®, Oxy-5®, and Clearasil®, worked well when I was in my teens and 20's, these products have gradually become too drying and harsh for my "adult" type combination skin. While browsing the skin care aisle at my local Wal-Mart a few months ago, I found the Dermatologist recommended Neutrogena® line of acne control products and decided to give them a try. While the cost was significantly more than what I was typically used to paying for similar skin care products, I hoped that by paying a bit more, I'd see better results. How wrong I was in that line of thinking that day!
Along with purchasing Neutrogena® Clear Pore Treatment Nighttime Pore Clarifying Gel containing 2% Salicylic Acid for overnight use (of which I've already written a similar negative review on), I also picked up a small bottle of Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment with a somewhat weaker concentration of 1.5% Salicylic Acid for daytime use as well. I'd heard many positive things about the Neutrogena® line of skin care products and felt it was time to try them for myself. The products containing benzoyl peroxide had stopped producing effective results for me years ago, so at the time, I felt I had little to lose. Only little did I know that I'd be gaining a few extra pimples in the process!
PRICE AND PACKAGING
Purchased at my local Wal-Mart for $4.47, this small 2.5 ounce bottle of Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment containing vitamins A, E, pro-vitamin B5 and natural fruit extracts, as well as 1.5% Salicylic Acid, came packaged in an sealed, outer cardboard box to ensure quality and freshness. The white plastic bottle itself is topped with a small pump for easier retrieval and application of the product than those found on most other similar acne-care medications. And across the front in attractive orange lettering is printed the trademark Neutrogena® logo.
INDICATIONS
Advertised as a daily moisturizing treatment that treats and helps prevent breakouts, the oil-free formula found in Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment helps to make your skin look clearer and healthier. It contains a highly effective acne-fighting ingredient that aids in eliminating and preventing future breakouts while also helping to fade scars and even out blotches from past breakouts. The vitamins contained within Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment fight previous damage and help to restore a healthier-looking, clearer, and smoother complexion.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Apply Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment in a thin layer over acne-prone skin previously washed with a gentle cleanser. This orange tinted lotion is both non-greasy and oil-free (i.e....non drying). It is very easy to apply with your fingers with the unique pump applicator not found on similar acne-care products, and leaves your face feeling instantly moisturized upon contact, unlike other drying medications that help fight breakouts. Use Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment on a daily basis for best results. If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to every other day.
WARNINGS
For external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, flush thoroughly with water. Using other topical acne medications at the same time or immediately following the use of Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment may increase dryness or irritation of the skin. If this occurs, only one medication at a time should be used unless directed otherwise by a doctor. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
ACTIVE INGREDIENT
1.5% Salicylic Acid
JUST WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID?
SALICYLIC ACID, the active ingredient found in Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment is often used for many types of skin disorders, depending on the type and strength of the preparation. If you've ever treated yourself with an over-the-counter wart removal application such as Compound-W®, you'll notice that the active ingredient there is the same, only in a stronger, more concentrated formula. Used in weaker strengths, such as the 1.5% Salicylic Acid that may be found in Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment, this chemical has been found to help control mild cases of acne.
MY EXPERIENCE
Purchased for daily use in combination with Neutrogena® Clear Pore Treatment Nighttime Pore Clarifying Gel, I found Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment with 1.5% Salicylic Acid did little to improve the condition of my genetically induced, large-pored, oily skin. In fact, I actually experienced MORE breakouts using this product than previously when I relied on the harsh, drying benzoyl peroxide containing medications as described earlier. Used on a daily basis for over a month, either alone or under my make-up, I patiently waited for the improved results that never came. What felt like smooth, moisturized skin shortly after applying Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment soon became nothing more than an oily mess. There was no improvement in the condition of my skin whatsoever! In fact, it only got worse.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
Purchase Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment (with Vitamins A, E, pro-vitamin B5 and natural fruit extracts) ONLY to help control bouts of mild acne as poor results are likely if used with oilier, more moderate cases, like mine. And if you find that the 1.5% Salicyclic Acid preparation found in this product works for you, consider comparing Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment to other less expensive brands containing the same ingredient if you are on a budget. Will I buy this product again? NEVER!! Again, Neutrogena®, I'm NOT impressed!
For more information regarding Neutrogena® Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment and other skin care products, check out their website online at:
www.neutrogena.com
NEUTROGENA® CORPORATION
Los Angeles, CA 90045
**For a much more effective alternative in your oily skin care regime, please check out my review of the highly recommended Neutrogena Clear Pore Soothing Gel Astringent:
Features/Benefits:A daily treatment that clears up breakoutsInvisible, leave-on, dual-action lotion that helps clear up acneMulti-vitamins and natural...More at eBay
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