Further Neutrogena alternatives

October 16, 2023 11:18 AM

Neutrogena has discontinued their Oil-free moisturiser, causing further wailing and gnashing of teeth in our house. We liked that it didn't clog pores, didn't have much of a scent, and kept our skin from turning into freeze-dried leather in the winter. Skin Mefites, what should we replace it with before the bottom falls out of the thermometer?
posted by Kreiger to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is nice.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:20 AM on October 16, 2023 [10 favorites]

This specific Target brand moisturizer appears to be an ingredient dupe for the product with both petrolatum and a silicone.
posted by phunniemee at 11:25 AM on October 16, 2023 [4 favorites]

Have you tried Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream for Extra-Dry Skin? (The extra-dry part is important because that's the fragrance-free version.) I swear by it in the winter. Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is also gentle and fragrance-free, but I can't tell if it's sold in Canada.
posted by neushoorn at 1:25 PM on October 16, 2023 [3 favorites]

Burt’s Bees Calming Day Lotion

Minimal fragrance, non greasy, my very picky skin is happy, and it cuts thru the winter dry.
posted by annie o at 2:04 PM on October 16, 2023

I quite like this Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Moisturizer, which seems to draw on several of the same ingredients and is a nice light watery lotion. Plus, it's really affordable.
posted by mosst at 2:05 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

Cetaphil is quite kind to my overreactive sensitive skin, and has very little scent (alas, I miss my fancy lotions).
posted by Dashy at 2:07 PM on October 16, 2023

2nding CeraVe.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:09 PM on October 16, 2023

(Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream for Extra-Dry Skin is on Neutrogena's discontinued products list. It was been replaced by a new product with a new formula called Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Cream.)

In addition to the apparently discontinued Neutrogena product above, I liked Cerave PM Moisturizer, Aveeno Calm & Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer, and ELF Holy Hydration Face Cream.
posted by MagnificentVacuum at 5:10 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

I really like Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I haven’t found many lotions that I like equally on my hands and my face that are actually moisturizing, and this is one of them. They sell it in a travel size if you want to try it without committing to a giant bottle.
posted by wondermouse at 6:51 PM on October 16, 2023

La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
posted by fox problems at 7:02 PM on October 16, 2023

Cetaphil daily oil free hydrating moisturizer has been my top one for my sensitive skin.
posted by Crystalinne at 7:47 PM on October 16, 2023

I came here to say the target one is exactly the same. I used the neutrogena one for years and my face is now happy with the target brand version.
posted by mai at 7:54 PM on October 16, 2023

I too used Neutrogena for years; I tried the Target version but it seemed heavier, I'd have more variation between my ultra dry areas and oily areas. I bought Cetaphil cream at CostCo in 2 tubs, it's too heavy for all over daily use, but I can thin it out with distilled water and it works great. So now I have heavy cream for elbows, feets, and dry patches as needed, and little pots of thinned lotion for daily face.
posted by winesong at 8:37 AM on October 17, 2023

Cetaphil Derma Control oil controlling moisturizer.
posted by les34 at 5:16 PM on October 18, 2023

I was really panicking after I realized Neutrogena Combination Skin was discontinued. I've been using it for over 20 years and it was very difficult for me to find something that worked for my skin.

So far I tried Target (up&up), that openly invites you to compare it to Neutrogena Sensitive Skin, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Moisturizer. All three of them leave a bit of a sticky feeling (to the touch) after application, unlike Neutrogena that gets fully absorbed. Also, Target and Cetaphil are more of a liquid consistency compared to Neutrogena. I would say Target is the stickiest one, Cetaphil is similar. You can feel something is on your face pretty much all day.

Trader Joe's is the least sticky and about the same consistency as Neutrogena. It happens to be the cheapest one, too. I will keep looking for something better, but for now Trader Joe's will do. Don't know yet how my skin will react to daily application and how it would perform while sweating.
posted by Serge C at 2:37 PM on April 13