From meeting friends for mulled wine at Christmas markets to cosy festive feasts with family, winter brings so many joyful moments. But one thing we're categorically not looking forward to is what the cold weather does to our skin. Going from the chilly outdoors to warm, stuffy offices and battling the wind as you run for the bus can make our skin feel dry, sensitive and uncomfortable. And if, like us, you find yourself wearing more makeup than usual from party season and neglecting your skincare routine at the end of the night (guilty!) you might also notice an increase in breakouts and spots.
Thankfully, Neutrogena has come to the rescue with two products designed to save our skin: the Clear & Defend+ Gel Moisturiser and the Clear & Defend+ Liquid Exfoliant. Packed with some of our favourite ingredients, including niacinamide and pro-vitamin B5, Clear & Defend+ Gel Moisturiser is fast-absorbing and makes skin feel hydrated after a single use. It also promises to strengthen your skin barrier, preventing future dryness. Meanwhile, Clear & Defend+ Liquid Exfoliant encourages cell turnover, fade marks and refine texture for visible results within a week.
Both products are suitable for spot prone skin, and cost under £6 – making them a p-friendly option for a season when our budgets are tighter than ever. But what did our five GLAMOUR staffers think when they put these products to the test? Here are their thoughts.
The Products:
The Reviews:
Emily, GLAMOUR's Associate Social Media Manager
My skin has always been sensitive and prone to blemishes. During my teens, I really struggled with flare-ups in my T-zone – and in my adult years, my cheeks were the main area of concern. I have spent a significant amount of time perfecting my skincare routine to keep blemishes at bay, so I take the process very seriously. When it comes to trying new products, they have to live up to the hype. Enter two new products from the Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ range: the Liquid Exfoliant and the Gel Moisturiser. I was initially hesitant to try something new on my sensitive skin, but knew that if these products deliver on their promises, they could become valuable additions to my skincare routine.
First, trying the moisturiser: I don’t typically wear a gel formula, I’m more of a cream girlie, but was definitely swayed by this! My skin felt so hydrated by the end of every application and it was the perfect base for under my makeup. I also loved that there wasn’t a scent, because that always aggravates my skin. The exfoliant was probably my favourite of the two products. I just love how much I could feel the AHAs and panthenol getting to work, renewing my skin. You really do feel a tingling sensation after the first application.
Honestly, I have to say, after using the moisturiser for two weeks and the exfoliant for a week, I was genuinely really impressed. My skin seemed smoother and had more of a glow at the end of the testing process. I had one blemish throughout the duration of trying the products – and for me that’s pretty good going!
Rating: 8/10
Ali, GLAMOUR's Website Director
While my skin isn’t particularly acne-prone, I do have red marks almost as stubborn as me (big up my fellow Taureans). These blemishes left by previous spots are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and while mine are relatively small, I find them really difficult to shift. Often, when I do find a treatment that actually helps to fade my hyperpigmentation, it leaves my skin dry, flaky and irritated. So, when I first tried the Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Gel Moisturiser, I was instantly impressed at how nourished and glowy my skin felt and looked.
And after nearly three weeks of almost daily use (bar a couple of days when I was lazy with my skincare, don’t come for me GLAMOUR readers), I can safely say there’s no dry or irritated patches. I coupled this with the Clear & Defend+ Liquid Exfoliant, which I used more sparingly – I typically only use AHAs once a week, and though this product is suitable for sensitive skin, daily use is something I’d build up to gradually. It left my skin feeling clean and looking brighter. My most stubborn red marks haven’t completely faded, but they are noticeably reduced, and my skin tone is definitely more even and clearer.
Normally over a three-week period I’d get the odd stress- or hormone-related spot, but no such fella has cropped up. I think if I continue for another three weeks (and try to reduce the ‘lazy skincare days’!), my skin should be mark-free and next-level glowing.
Rating: 9/10
Luca, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager
As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, I love going makeup-free, which means I’ve been on a mission to get my skin in the best state it can be. It’s been particularly temperamental recently though, and I’ve found myself on the receiving end of some very annoying breakouts. Enter: Neutrogena’s Clear & Defend+ range. I love an AHA exfoliant, so I was especially excited to try this one, increasing my usage over time (as per the instructions), so that my skin could build up resistance. After two weeks of using it, I’ve 100% noticed a difference in my skin texture. It’s helped clear the annoying under-the-skin bumps I was starting to see on my forehead and has generally helped make my skin look clearer.
Niacinamide is one of my favourite skincare ingredients, as it always helps calm my breakout-prone skin, and the niacinamide and panthenol moisturiser ticked that box. I will say, as we venture into the colder months, I tend to opt for a moisturiser that’s packed with a little more nourishing power, but this does what it says on the tin and for the super affordable price-point, I’m impressed.
Rating: 8.5/10
Georgia, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer
I’ve recently been suffering from a case of hormonal acne, so I was really keen to try Neutrogena’s Clear & Defend+ range. I frequently use a liquid exfoliant, but, as Neutrogena’s alcohol- and fragrance-free one contains 7% AHA and panthenol (which helps to soothe skin and maintain its moisture barrier), I was intrigued to see how it performed in comparison. I applied it via a cotton pad as per the instructions on the bottle, which gave me a much more even spread of product and overall control. It stung a little and did cause some initial redness, but it didn’t last long and by the next morning the texture on my face was definitely improved.
Afterwards, I applied the gel moisturiser with niacinamide, which is also formulated with panthenol. Claiming to be a fast-absorbing hydrator that replenishes and prevents dryness, I had high hopes, but sadly I think my skin type needs something with a little bit more substance. I usually opt for thicker, more nourishing face creams as that’s what I find works – and while this one did definitely give my complexion a healthy sheen, it didn’t last long and needed a top-up before I went to bed.
I’ve heard so many good things about this range and, honestly, I wouldn’t knock it if you’re looking to help your skin but you’re on a budget. There isn’t a single Clear & Defend+ product that costs more than £8, and you can’t argue with that.
Rating: 7/10
Shei, GLAMOUR's Beauty Writer
Neutrogena’s been the master of affordable and effective skincare for as long as I can remember. Especially growing up as a teen, when the budget for a good moisturiser and cleanser was low – Neutrogena was there. I was excited to try the Clear & Defend+ range as although I only deal with occasional breakouts, the hyperpigmentation that stays behind will stick around for a long time, so I need to avoid breakouts as much as possible if I don’t want to deal with its consequences for months or years to come.
I kept my routine simple and a key product was the Clear & Defend+ Liquid Exfoliant with AHA and panthenol. The formula is featherlight and packed with glycolic acid, which is another anti-pigmentation hero. Over time, it will gently lift dead skin, but I noticed an immediate change in the brightness of my skin, which actually lasted.
Up next was the moisturiser, formulated with niacinamide (one of my fave skincare ingredients). It glided on the skin easily, leaving it feeling hydrated immediately after, and making the whole skincare routine that much more pleasant. Neutrogena has truly proven that you don’t have to break the bank to have good skin.
Rating: 8/10
Shop the full Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ range now at Boots.com
