Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser Review

I have tried many scrubs, some quite harsh on skin and some that fon't feel like they're doing the job. This scrub was surprisingly good. It felt like my face was smoother and less oily even after one application and was definitely gentle enough to use several times in one week. Very happy with this product, thumbs up!

I have combination skin: oily in the t-zone, slightly dry and acne-prone on my chin (the dryness may be due to the products I use to treat this area), and normal-ish everywhere else. My most noticeable pores are on and around my nose, and some on my forehead.

Prior to trying this cleanser out I was using a gentle non-foaming cleanser in the mornings, followed by a moisturiser (with SPF) for oily skin (which I only purchased a month ago but really like), then makeup if I'm wearing it for the day. My evening routine consists of makeup removal, then cleansing with either the same cleanser or a cream cleanser followed by a washcloth. Then a few times a week I would follow that up with a chemical exfoliating wipe. I end things with a serum containing retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin C, then moisturiser. In order to give this product a fair trial, I swapped it in for my second evening cleanse, but kept everything else the same.

This is of a light gel consistency with exfoliating (plastic) microbeads. It doesn't lather, which I prefer as usually that means the surfactants used are of the milder kind.

I'm generally of the opinion that any active ingredients (in this case, chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHA) should be in products that are left on the skin rather than in a wash-off product. I would also prefer if the exfoliating beads were made from jojoba microbeads rather than plastic for environmental reasons, plus it's thought to be less harsh when scrubbing the skin.

The first few days I had some peeling on my nose, although that could be due to my extraction of sebaceous filaments (the sebum inside pores) with a face cloth.

Now I'm five days in, and my impression is that it's left my skin evenly but not harshly cleansed -- there isn't that squeaky feeling, which is a good thing! I also like that it doesn't contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, which are comedogenic ingredients sometimes used in products targeted to people who get blocked pores -- for example the other cleanser in this range; not ideal!

From googling I've found that the toner in the same range has a decent concentration of AHAs and BHA, and is at the right pH for it to work. Based on this trial, and online reviews of the toner, I'd be really interested in trying it out. It's rare that a supermarket product contains effective levels of AHAs, so definitely worth a go. The cleanser and toner would probably make a good combination.

I suspect this wouldn't suit sensitive skins -- it is fairly highly fragranced and that's never good. I don't think dry skins will have an issue with it, as the lack of the harsher surfactants, and the inclusion of humectant ingredients like cetyl alcohol and glycolic acid should help avoid dehydration.

I'll update this at the end of the ten day BR trial, plus put some photos up on my blog :D

I have enjoyed using this product. Usually when I try a new product I end up with a breakout (thanks T zone) but with this, nada! It smells nice, doesn't over dry, the microbeads are not too scratchy and it is easy to rinse. I start my days feeling fresh, with glowing skin and end my days like that too.

The tube is an excellent size and the RRP is fantastic, easily affordable. Being able to buy a product at the supermarket is always a bonus.

I was lucky enough to be picked for the trial team on this product.

While I'm hesitant about products that say it'll 'reduce' anything - whether that be fine lines or pores and everything in between, I was genuinely surprised.

When I received the package, I was very, very surprised at the size of the bottle. It's huge! And good value for money for $16.

I used it that first night, after I'd removed my makeup. The texture is creamy and the exfoliating beads are superfine. So there was no irritation whatsoever unlike other exfoliants I've used where the grains are so chunky they literally scratch your skin.

Because there's no soap, it doesn't foam like other cleansers and exfoliants. So you may need to use a little more product to get around your face. There's also hardly any smell which is great. I find products that have a strong scent probably have a lot of perfume, which means a lot of alcohol, which means drying up your skin. And my skin is dry enough as it is!

Now, my head is ginormous (not kidding - it's actually huge) so I used product about the size of a 50c piece, which was plenty.

After washing it off, my skin felt baby smooth, even the next day it felt great.

I didn't notice any effects straight away. I used it every second or third day - as advised on the bottle. I only ever used it at night, as part of a consistent routine. And after about 8 days, I've noticed that my pores have actually reduced in size.

Not a huge reduction, but to me, it was noticeable. I had enlarged pores around my nose, and the area that they cover has noticeably reduced so it doesn't go an inch sideways anymore. I'd say it's reduce about 1/4" in size.

I doubt this would completely reduce them altogether, but for a product that's easily affordable and readily available, I'd recommend giving this a go.

The things I like about it: The size of the bottle | the price | the smell | the fine grain exfoliating beads | no soap | the feel of my skin after | it actually works - to a degree.

Apart from the scent, everything about this is really lovely. The exfoliating beads are small and gentle, but effective. It leaves skin feeling really soft and smooth- non drying nor that feeling of tightness. And it does seem to reduce pore size- pretty awesome considering that I haven't been using this cleanser for more than a week! The scent however will be a big deterrent for me to repurchase. It doesn't smell bad per se, more chemically than anything. The closest scent I can compare it to is that sort of cheap $2, kids' (blowing) bubble solution.

I was surprised the first time when I used this cleanser, it really does what it says, refining and minimizing pores, and also made the blackheads appear less on my nose too. I wasn't expecting such an instant result from a drugstore line cleanser. The micro-beads are the finnest I've tried in the drugstore cleanser range (normally the drugstore ones always have chunky beads and over-exfoliate the skin), so this is definitely a bonus point.

Although after I've used it for about a week I found the product sting my eyes a lot when I rinse the cleanser off my face. I don't use this cleanser directly around my eye area but it just doesn't get rinsed off completely and there's always something goes into my eyes afterwards. I feel like there's still some product left on the face after washing my face.

Overall I think this is a great drugstore refining cleanser for those who wants to minimize their pores. Although I found myself don't like the formula that much due to the leftover still on the face after rinsing. And it's such a pain to have eyes stinging after washing face...

To be honest I rather keep using the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser instead, it's a lot more gentle, clean my face well and doesn't have any leftover on the face after rinsing.

Normally when purchasing an exfoliating cleanser I would opt for something with slightly bigger beads to really work the scrub. This can easily be remedied by using a face scrubber/loofah with the cleanser.

The smell isn't unpleasant - it's faintly chemical/detergent.

As a cleanser it works great and really worked on my oily T zone. My face definitely felt clean after each wash. I can't comment on its pore refining properties yet - it probably needs a few more washes.

Don't get it in your eyes - it stings like hell!

You get a lot of product for you money! I like the texture of the product - not too gritty or harsh just perfect! My skin feels especially clean after using it and it dissolves makeup well. I was amazed I didn't break out after using it as I have very acne prone skin so I will continue to use it. However I haven't noticed a huge difference to the size of my pores. There may be a slight difference but definitely not noticable.

OK, I was sent this product to try for a couple of days. I have used it for 6 days.

1) The packaging is great, nice big tube - no hassles there.

2) The smell of the cleanser isn't something that I personally enjoy. Its the basic smell. No WOW Factor. 3) The exfoliating micro beads are VERY micro. I feel like there could be more for a better exfoliate but its very very gentle. I felt like i had to use a good amount each time as i felt it wasn't cleanser very well.

4) As for the visible reduction of pores, i haven't seen any change, i have used for 6 days so maybe more time?

5) After using, I feel my skin is REALLY dry. A Good Toner and moisturizer is needed.

In the 6 days i haven't had any real issues (pimples, end of day oil) .

My make up glides on with out issue and I don't have to reapply mid-day.

I would recommend this to someone who has sensitive skin and wants to exfoliate.

Thank you BR for sending this to me. :)

I love this product. I have tried so many different exfoliating products but have found many to be too coarse & rough on my skin. I love how this product has very small exfoliating particles in it but heaps of them so it is almost paste like. It left my skin feeling soft & very smooth & I really do feel that it made my pores look smaller & more refined.