When I was a teenager, my mother taught me to avoid using regular bar soap on my face because the chemicals in it would dry out my skin.
I actually listened to her, and started using special facial cleansers, made specifically to help remove dirt and impurities, while allowing my skin to retain as much natural moisture as possible. I’m glad I did. Our skin naturally loses moisture as we age, and since soap removes its natural lubricants, using it would have worsened the situation!
Today, I love switching off between different types of facial cleansers and makeup removers, depending on how much makeup I’m wearing, the season, and my laziness factor. If I’m exhausted and don’t feel like even turning on the water, or looking at myself in the mirror, I’ll grab a disposable cleansing towelette, run it over my face, and plop into bed. If I’m in the mood to pamper my skin, I’ll use a facial scrub. I generally use foaming cleansers and plenty of water after a hot and sticky summer day, and like creamier formulas during the drying winter weather.
I always read the instructions on the bottle to make sure that the cleanser I’m about the use also is recommended for the eye area.
That’s because the skin around our eyes is a lot more delicate than on the rest of our faces, and some cleansing formulas that work well to remove the blush and foundation on our cheeks can irritate or sting our eyes when we use them to remove mascara, eye shadow and liquid eyeliner. Other products are designed to be effective all over the face, including the eyes.
Now that the nippy, invigorating fall weather is almost here, it’s nice to introduce new products into my beauty regimen at the start of the new season.
So I was glad to have the opportunity to visit my local Target to stock up on old–and new–facial cleansers and makeup removers, thanks to the folks at three tried-and-true brands, Neutrogena, Aveeno and RoC. They wanted FabOverFifty to help them announce that Target is offering deals on over 20 select products, during certain weeks, from now until Saturday, October 31. Besides the cleansers, you’ll find specials on cosmetics, moisturizers and anti-aging products.
You should find the products in a display at the end of an aisle in the beauty section, but if you have trouble locating them, ask for a member of the Target Beauty Concierge team, who can give you one-on-one advice on the products that are best for your skin. They’re not paid by any single brand, so their opinions are completely objective.
Here’s a rundown on the seven products I bought on my excursion to Target:
1. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
An Allure Best of Beauty award winner, the pre-moistened, soft towelettes remove face and eye makeup without a drop of water. They reportedly work on waterproof mascara, too, and have a subtle fresh scent. Note: I’ve been using these for years. They are packed in a sturdy plastic vanity case so the towelettes don’t dry out and become unusable, as they do with many other brands.
2. New Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
Designed to clean the skin and remove makeup, including waterproof mascara, this product contains a blend of fine oils that act as a magnet to attract, and remove, oils and impurities in the skin, yet keep it soft. You apply it to your dry face, with a circular motion, and then apply water to emulsify and rinse off. Note: I’ve tried it. It did not leave my skin feeling oily.
3. Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser
Also a cleanser and makeup remover in one (yes, including waterproof mascara), this product can safely be used around the eyes. Although it foams, it is soap, alcohol and oil free, as well as hypo-allergenic. Note: It has a nice, fresh scent that I identify with making my skin feel refreshingly clean.
4. Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
Besides cleansing, this product uses natural soy extract with microbeads to gently exfoliate the skin and improve texture, tone, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots. It’s reportedly gentle enough to be used every day, even if your skin is sensitive. Note: Unlike other exfoliating products, which feel harsh on the skin, this one goes on smoothly, yet I can still feel the little beads going to work on my skin.
5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
When I’ve applied extra eye makeup, I like to use product that’s been created especially to remove it. This clear liquid is applied to the eyes with a cotton pad, then rinsed off with warm water. It contains aloe and cucumber extract to help keep the delicate skin around the eyes soft, and it doesn’t leave it looking oily. Note: My eye makeup came off quickly and easily.
6. Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
Containing hydroxy acid to penetrate deeper into the pores than other cleansers, this product is designed to remove dead surface skin cells that can dry, roughen and dull your complexion. Not meant to be used on our eyes, the product contains no oil or alcohol. Note: I like to use products like this when I’ve been out all day and my skin has been exposed to the preponderance of pollutants that come with living in New York City.
7. RoC Multi Correxion 5 In 1 Daily Moisturizer
This was the only product I bought at Target that wasn’t a facial cleanser or makeup remover, but I’ve enjoyed the benefits of RoC products since I was first introduced to them in France many moons ago. This brand is a staple of the skin care regimen of French women, who certainly know how to treat their skin right.
Its daily moisturizer uses Hexinol Technology, a proprietary anti-aging molecule, which the company says improves the look of discoloration, sagging, dryness, dull tone and wrinkles. The moisturizer also includes sunscreen with a SPF of 30, essential for protecting the skin against harmful UV rays..
And here are the details of the Target promotions:
● From now until Saturday, October 3:
Buy one Neutrogena product and get 25% off a second product.
● Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10:
5% off all Neutrogena products.
● Sunday, October 25 through Saturday, October 31:
5% off all Aveeno products.
Protect yourself from the winter elements before the first blast of frigid air hits your delicate face.
