SKINCARE: Philosophy Purity vs. Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser + Remover

If you have followed me via my blog, twitter, or face book for any time you know that Philosophy Purity Made Simple has long since been my holy grail facial cleanser.  I have used Purity easily for at least 7 years.  But from time to time I sample other products to see if there is anything similar to my beloved Purity.  I have tried several other products that never even came close. I would always return to my Purity.  The other products would always leave my skin feel stripped, tight, and dry.  As I approach another age milestone, I have been giving much consideration to my skincare regimen.  The products that I had used for acne control are no longer working for me.  Fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, enlarged pores, and dry patches are now what I must be concerned with.  Several months ago, I switched my toner from the alcohol-based product I had used for years to a more gentle yet effective product, Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner, and I love it.  This spring, I received the Target Beauty Bag and which included a sample of Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser.  After letting it sit on my vanity for a couple weeks, I decided to give it a try.  While it did not remove all my makeup, it also did not leave my skin tight, stripped or dry, as so many other products had.  I then decided to see what other products Neutrogena had that might address cleansing and makeup removal. I am not unfamiliar with the Neutrogena brand, I just hadn't given the skin care branch much attention over the past several years.  (BTW: I love the Neutrogena Triple Moisture product line.  I found that Neutrogena had a Naturals line that included a facial cleanser + makeup remover.  I decided to give that product a try.  Here is what I found:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple	Neutrogena® Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover
·         Effective: 1 step cleanser that cleanses without stripping skin of natural oils.	·         Effective: 1 step cleanser that cleanses without stripping skin of natural oils.
·         Effective: Removes makeup without stripping. It even removes waterproof eye makeup	·         Effective: Removes makeup without stripping.  It removes most traces of eye makeup, but not all.
·         Effective: Doesn't irritate skin or eyes. Can open eyes while using	·         Effective: Doesn’t irritate skin, but does slightly sting eyes if contact made
·         Moisturizing:  Left skin feeling very moisturized. Often would forget to apply moisturizer because of just how moisturized my skin felt	·         Moisturizing: Didn't leave skin feeling tight or dry, but did require daily moisturizer
·         Works great with my Clarisonic	·         Works great with my Clarisonic
·         Scent:  Close to no scent at all. Claims Fragrance-Free	·         Scent: Fresh Clean Scent
·         Availability: Philosophy.com, QVC, Sephora, Ulta, & some department stores	·         Availability: Most drugstores, grocery stores, chain stores
·         Size:  Varying 3oz - 32oz  - $10-49.50	·         Size: 6oz only - $7.49
·         Overall Opinion:  Philosophy Purity Made Simple has been my holy grail facial cleanser for at least 7 years.  While Neutrogena Natural Fresh Cleanser + Makeup Remover, does not replace it, it is a very close second; especially for those times when my money is funny.	·         Overall Opinion:  I have finally found a drugstore product that runs a very close second to my department store Philosophy Purity Made Simple.  I had often looked for alternative product to  use for those times when my money is funny.  I have found it!  I need to try some of the other Neutrogena Natural products. It had been a while since I tried any Neutrogena products. I think I need to revisit the brand, I may have been short-changing myself.

Have you tried Neutrogena Naturals Line and if so which product? Do you recommend any other Neutrogena  products?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by and of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.