Drugstore deal: Neutrogena Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser

Murad Soothing Gel Cleanser $25- murad.com for storesBetween Spring skiing, and the irresistible urge to sit outside and soak up the sun during lunch, even the most low key complexions can get irritated as the season's changes.  

Throw a little stress and the occasional cocktail into the mix, and things get down right red. That's why we've been addicted to Murad  soothing gel cleanser for years, but at $25 a tube the price of soothing was getting a bit steep ( especially on an underpaid journalist salary!)

So when drugstore mega brand Neutrogena came out with a seemingly similar product, Oil Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser, we were intrigued, and a little doubtful.  Could a $8 a bottle product really stand up to our favorite  department store version?

Neutrogena Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser $8 at drugstores nationwide

After a six week trial we can declare: Pretty much!  

We washed twice a day with the Neutrogena soother, and noticed a marked reduction in blotchiness especially on our cheeks and neck, and we were devoid of any over stripped tightness or itching.

In addition to the anti-redness achieved, the Neutrogena brand, like the the more expensive Murad, kept the break-outs at bay.

The Neutrogena version is a little thinner, and doesn't seem to remove make-up quite as well, (especially mineral brands). Which meant that we had to use a little more than the dime-sized dollop we usually use, but the overall soothing outcome was definitely there. And at a quarter the price of the Murad version using a touch more seemed like a fair deal.

 Neutrogena Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser is available at drugstores nationwide. For more product information visit the Neutrogena site.