Is Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick just a soap in stick form?
It sure looks like it. But a quick look at the label shows the ingredients that give soap its shape and cleansing power (like Sodium Palmate) are nowhere to be find here. Phew!
(FYI, those ingredients are the reasons soaps dry out your skin and give you pimples. Avoid them like the plague…)
So, how does this stick work? With the power of oils. Let me explain…
What’s In Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick?
NATURAL OILS TO CLEANSE SKIN…
Have you heard of the “like attracts like” principle? It works like this:
Natural oils like coconut oil, tea seed oil and olive oil (just three of the oils used in Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick) attract and attach to the oils on your face.
Like your sebum (your skin’s natural moisturiser). The oils in your long-lasting foundation. The oily filters in your sunscreen.
Once attached together, they all melt off your skin and away down the drain, leaving your skin clean from dirt and grime.
The best part? Oils are moisturising. They don’t just cleanse your skin. They make sure it stays soft and hydrated during the stripping cleansing process.
Related: The Complete Guide To The Oil Cleansing Method: What Is It & Should You Use It?
…AND TO IRRITATE SKIN
Ok, I’m sure Neogen doesn’t mean to irritate anyone’s skin. But like every other brand, it wants to sell to as many people as possible.
That means it wants its products to smell good. That’s where essential oils come in. Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick has a bunch of citrus oils + fragrance that can irritate sensitive skin.
If you know your skin doesn’t like these ingredients, this cleansing stick ain’t for you.
Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Skin
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Texture
It’s a solid balm infused with gritty bits of green tea leaves.
Fragrance
Green tea.
How To Use It
If you’ve never used a cleansing stick before, fret not. It’s easier than you think:
- Remove the cap (obvs!) and twist the bottom of the stick up until the stick is visible.
- Apply the cleansing stick directly on wet skin using circular motions.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Neogen claims this stick can replace double cleansing. I totally agree. But I’m not sure that’s a good idea…
Performance & Personal Opinion
Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick smells like green tea. Not surprising – it has tiny bits of green tea leaves scattered all through it.
That’s my first problem with this stick. When I massage it onto my wet skin, it leaves bits of tea leaves all over my face. I don’t know about you, but I cleanse my skin to remove all the crap that’s on my face, not to add more!!
At least, it does a good job at taking everything off. It may not foam much, but it melts away makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum in one fell swoop – without irritating my skin or drying it out.
Granted, I don’t wear too much makeup. Most days, I totally skip foundation and just dab concealer where needed. If you like to wear a full face a La Kardashian, you may want to use this as the second step of double cleansing.
Why not the first? Dirt. Let me explain…
I hate the idea of applying Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick directly on wet, dirty skin for two reasons:
- Dirt: The cleanser may do a good job at melting away makeup, but there’s always the chance some of the dirt will stick to the… stick. Next time you use it, it may end up back on your face. Unless you clean the stick after every use, obvs.
- Bacteria: Bacteria thrive in moist environments. If you don’t wipe the stick dry after every use, your cleanser may become contaminated.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the idea of wiping the stick clean every time. It’s an extra step I could do without. Plus, I feel like I’m wasting some of the product with every wipe.
I know some women get around this by swiping the cleanser on their hands and using them to cleanse their wet skin. It’s a safer way to use it, especially if you’re worried about hygiene.
P.S. Either way, you need a separate eye makeup remover. I wouldn’t use this to remove mascara & co.
You’ve guessed it, I won’t be buying this again. I’m glad I scratched the itch and gave this gimmick a go, but it’s more hassle than it’s worth it. Give me a milk cleanser over this any day.
I’ll give you this, though. This stick is handy for travelling. I’ll keep mine around for my next holiday.
Who Is This For?
Most skin types can use it, but I recommend it only for travelling.
Who Is This NOT For?
Sensitive skin.
Packaging
A green stick. Not the prettiest nor the most practical. But, not being a liquid, it’s handy for travelling.
Does Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Â A travel-friendly, all-in-one cleanser. | It’s travel-friendly, but I wouldn’t use it to remove makeup. |
| Formulated with 13 natural oils to breakdown makeup, natural green tea leaves to exfoliate and a low pH to gently cleanse your skin, this cleanser will lead the way to brighter, clearer skin. | True. |
Price & Availability
Available at: $22.00 at Soko Glam and Yes Style
Do You Need It?
For travelling, maybe. Otherwise, no.
Dupes & Alternatives
Not a fan of cleansing sticks, so don’t feel comfortable recommending alternatives.
Ingredients
Glycerin, Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Betaine,Camellia Sinensis Leaf(0.3%), Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil(0.1%), Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, OleaEuropaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Ocimum Basilicum(Basil) Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil,Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance
