My face has been going through the most since last year 🙁 breakouts and discolouration and roughness – you name it! So naturally, I’ve been seeking solutions based on what I think is happening and what I think is best . . . A lot of trial and error . . . a lot of hits and misses. And some in-betweens. I have been meaning to go for a thorough facial to “reset” my skin then see a dermatologist but life takes over . . . So I took the Oriflame self test kit that Silvia Njoki spoke about on her blog here.
The results showed that my skin is dry – not oily as I used to think. Turns out some shine does not equal oily skin. And that explained the rough, dry, flaky patches I used to try fix with even more oil. No bueno. I didn’t know what to do until a beautician advised me to try a water-based moisturizer, not an oil-based one. Why? Because my skin was not only dry but dehydrated and piling oil over it was not helping. What I needed was water. Hydration. From the inside and of course, outside. So a water-based moisturizer would help me regain the moisture and keep it in there. I did some desktop research and Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost range seemed like the best because of the hyaluronic acid present ( helps skin retain water) and so I went to get myself a tub of their gel cream.
This Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel-cream is most suitable for extra dry skin and I was almost reptilian, I picked it over the water gel formula that’s also available. It’s odourless and contains no dyes and has a very light consistency that’s somewhere between a gel and a cream (duh, it’s in the name). It applies on so smoothly and gets absorbed fast which I love because ain’t nobody got time for slow absorbing creams. It feels really cool on my face on application too which is always yummy.
I’ve only been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel-cream for about a week now but I can already see and feel a difference! Hydro boost indeed! My skin neither looks super oily or cracky dry. It just looks like what normal (albeit blemished) skin looks and it feels light and smooth and supple. I haven’t felt any of the usual skin tightness or flakyness or dryness during the day. Even between my brows and under my eyes where I had the worst patches of dryness. I feel and look better and some of the redness from the breakouts is also gone. I’m hopeful that if I keep using this gel-cream for the next few months and maintain a good skin care regimen, my skin can be salvaged. I have also set a challenge on myself to drink at least 2 litres of water a day and I still need that facial as my skin still needs some actual work done on it. But so far, I’m loving the relief from this cream gel. It is available at Nakumatt and goes for around KShs. 1900 ($19).
*Disclaimer – I’m not a dermatologist nor any kind of expert on skin care. This is my own personal experience and impression.
xo
Hi Oshin,
I am also interested in trying neutrogena hydro boost because my skin is so temperamental nowadays.
Do you still use it and if so where can i get it in Nairobi?
Author
Hi Sylvia. I’m not sure about temperamental skin but it works wonders on dry skin. On my second tub now and all I can say is it has been a true fri no. Leaves my skin hydrated, soft and supple without being greasy or sticky. No more dry or flakey patches, cools my skin and feels so light. Highly recommend it. The only complaint is that it doesn’t have any SPF so my skin is still suffering from sun damage I’m looking for a light coverage sunscreen that won’t weigh down my skin if I use it with this. Any suggestions?
Xo
Oshin
Author
Sylvia, yiu can get this and other Neutrogena Hydro Boost products like the face wash and micellar water at Nakumatt Junction (where I got both of my gel creams) and at Nakumatt Mega (saw them last week). Hurry and get them before Nakumatt empties out! I am gonna restock on one more tub this week just so that when my new one runs out (takes me 2 months, and I just got a new one recently) I won’t have to look so hard.
Xo
Oshin