little white truths

I received this product in Memebox Special #63 Skincare Elixir.

It's one of those products that's taken me a while to review because my feelings about it changed almost daily - at least to start with - but I've been using it long enough now that I've gained a more concrete view.


To start with, it's quite clearly (literally ; ) ) more of a gel than a 'cream' - you can see that just by looking at it - and it also feels like one.

It was the most expensive item in the box and I'd hoped it would perform better based on its price, but it's definitely not the best product in that box. My favourite item from the bundle remains the ProYou Magic Silky Shiny Skin Essence (reviewed here).


Neogen claims/product details:

• Enriched with Canadian glacial water, baobab tree extracts, hyaluronic acid, natural ferments and pore control EX complex
• Aims to soothe and tighten back enlarged pores
• Leaving skin feeling firm and supple
• To use: apply over your clean face, massaging and patting it in with both hands
• RRP $44USD for 120ml

Verdict

As mentioned above, it took me a while to work out how I felt about this one. To start with I thought it was quite rich and decent, but I think that's only because I was using it in conjunction with a facial oil that my skin loves, and once I finished the oil, this product didn't perform as well so I think the oil itself was masking its actual performance.

Also as mentioned, I'm not sure why it's called a cream because it looks and feels like a gel. It's clear, cooling and slightly sticky, leaving behind a film that I'm not a fan of. I can't use this product alone because it's not moisturising enough, so it's really not adding anything to my skincare routine and I'm only using it because I have it, not because it's performing any particular function.

I've noticed that it contains alcohol, which might be why it doesn't feel hydrating, and while it feels and smells refreshing/cooling when I first put it on, it doesn't plump or freshen the look of my skin. If anything it enhances lines because it looks sticky and makes my skin appear shiny (which of course isn't what I want from a cream at all!).

For this reason I can't even use it as a 'refresher' product to chuck over makeup throughout the day (which is something I often do with creams that aren't super hydrating but have decent plumping action), so it's a product I can't see myself getting any enjoyment from.

As for product claims, anything that claims to 'tighten' pores makes me suspicious because your pores are your pores and there ain't much you can do about them. In any event, if it is possible to reduce the size of your pores with a cream, this product doesn't do that.

What I'll likely do is move it to the body cream section pretty soon, since I can get away with 'lesser' products on my body but not my face.

All in all, pretty disappointing. Hoh well! Maybe the next product from this box will fare better.