From The Beauty Brains Forum Member: Karen
What’s pink and white and vibrates all over? If you’re Sarah Bellum, you probably have an X-rated answer. But if you said the Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser, then you may have discovered a fun and effective brand new gadget you can use to clean your face.
According to Neutrogena, it’s called the Wave because it’s “the next wave in cleansing.” Like the Clarisonic, this product is the next generation of washcloth. Information 
from its marketing company says it will “take your skincare routine to a new level” by sweeping away layers of dead skin cells. But do you really need to go to the next level? What’s wrong with simply washing your face to maintain healthy skin as you age?
Exfoliation Nation
To answer these questions, we have to talk about something today’s beauty-conscious woman thinks about as part of her personal skin care regimen that her mother probably didn’t. That something is exfoliation. Exfoliation, simply put, is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. That might sound harsh but exfoliation is actually a natural process of the body.
When you’re under thirty, your skin sheds its dead epidermis about every 25 days on its own. Once you hit 30, however, this process slows down. That’s not a good thing if your goal is beautiful skin. If that top layer of dead skin cells stays put for too long, your complexion may appear dull and uneven. It can also feel rough or dry to the touch.
Exfoliation is an important step in your cleansing routine to expose younger skin underneath. If you do it regularly, you can improve your skin’s texture and help stimulate the production of new cells and collagen. The shedding process also unclogs pores to prevent blemishes from forming and allows your skin care products to reach deeper into the epidermis for better results. Additionally, it provides a smoother surface for your foundation to glide evenly over your face. Simply put, if you want healthy and radiant skin, you need to exfoliate.
Scrub-a-dub-dub
But who should do your exfoliation? You have choices. You can go to an esthetician and pay for her professional services. You can also do it yourself at home using a microdermabrasion kit or a facial scrub. Putting your skin in the hands of an esthetician might be a safe choice but it’s also an expensive one.
On the other hand, do-it-yourself microdermabrasion kits can be intimidating if you don’t have the confidence or experience using them. I use facial scrubs, the simplest of the choices, but I’ll admit that I haven’t always had good results. That’s because my skin is prone to redness and excessive vascularity. My experience has been that if I apply too much pressure, my skin becomes red, blotchy, and hypersensitive. This is sometimes referred to as “Angry Face Syndrome,” and believe me, it’s nothing to smile about.
Love the Wave!
Recently, Neutrogena’s Wave Power-Cleanser with Deep Clean Foaming Pads came into my life. I’ve used it every night for one week and now I’m hooked. Here’s what I like about it:
- It delivers the perfect degree of gentle exfoliation that never damages my skin
- It’s fast and easy to use: I just attach a pre-dosed, single-use, textured pad to the top of it, run it under water, press the button, and glide it gently over my skin
- The gentle vibrating motion and tingly-cool foam gives my skin a nice, healthy glow rather than excessive redness
- My skin immediately feels softer and the dead skin cells that were problematic near my nose and chin are now gone
- It’s ultra light and comfortable to hold
- It can be used at a sink or in the shower
- It only takes up as much space as a bar of soap
- It’s been gentle enough for me to use every day
On the back of the box, Neutrogena says this device is clinically proven superior to manual cleansing in three ways:
- 100% of women showed significantly deeper pore cleansing from its penetrating cool foam
- Its massaging, vibrating action opens pores to remove dirt, oil, and makeup and stimulates the skin’s surface
- You’ll see immediate softer, smoother skin after just one use
While I can’t substantiate their claims, I did find the Wave to be one cool little gadget for consistent and gentle exfoliation with a click of the button. It requires a single AA battery included with the starter kit, as well as a two week supply of single-use, disposable cleansing pads. It comes in pink, turquoise, or apple-green color schemes. And the price? The starter kit sells for $12.99 and a 10-pack of refills pads is $7.49.
So now you know why I’m excited about my new pink and white vibrating gadget. Sarah Bellum, on the other hand, might have an entirely different story to tell you.
Have YOU caught the Wave? Or do you like the Clarisonic system better? Leave a comment and let us know. Or, you can start a thread and talk to Karen directly in the Beauty Brains Forum.
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I have tried the WAVE. I love the massage! I could “over use” it because it feels great on pressure points!
It did make my skin feel softer after just one use. With dry winter skin, this is a great product to help remove the dry, flaky skin.
I used the original Neutrogena kit with the pads. It was great. I must get the wave!!!!
I am not sure I can justify spending $30 a month on this type of cleanser. The cleansers I use and sell in my salon are about $30 and last from 4-6 months.
Or am I mistaken and the pads are multi-use?
buenos dias,
Lynnette
PS- a TRUE microdermabrasion is done with vacuums or diamond head tips with the exfoliated skin taken back into the unit and then disposed of. Home kits are not true microderm, they are just kits that scrub the skin.
Lynnette
Lynnette, Unless you exfoliate more than once a day, the cost for a month’s supply of these pads would only be $21.
I was counting the kit. But, still, $21 is still too much a month for me to justify this. Not when I can use professional products that really work and can get more for the money. JMHO.
Lynnette
I agree with Lynette, $21/month is a bit steep for me to shell out for cleansing. Is everyday exfoliation recommended? What other professional products can you tell us about that really work Lynette? Ann
Hi all -
The Wave is advertised as gentle enough to use every day so when I reviewed it, I decided to “take it to task” to see if that was true. I was initially worried but found I had no ill-effects from using it daily and it seemed to do everything it promised.
Having said that, I’m now using it three to four times a week and my skin really glows!
Most important to me is the fact that the Wave is gentle but also effective. Because its exfoliation action is controlled, you don’t have to worry about damaging your skin.
Hope that clarifies!
Karen
Hi! I recently read something about the “Hayflick Limit” – but in relation to exfoliating and using products like Retin-A that says you can only exfoliate a finite number of times and then your skin will stop reproducing new cells! Is this true? I’ve just started a regimine of AHAs and Retin-A and my skin looks gorgeous. Am I setting myself up for the “Hayflick Limit” if I use these products once a day?
As appealing as this item sounds, especially in winter, when I tend to get dry patches from the radiated air indoors and the wind outside, the LAST thing I wanna put on my face is *menthol*! (Ack! My ace is stinging just THINKING about it!) What gets *into* companies?! Do they think that by putting stupidity into products like this that people will get the idea that “It’s tingling, so it must be doing something!”? (Tell it to the kid in “Home Alone,” holding his face and shrieking, from the combined alcohol and camphor.) And perfume, too; why can’t it have nice calming emollients in it, without all the irritants? I just want a smooth, moist, happy face in the winter, not a crispy red one. (sigh)
I just go this today, and I LOVE how my face feels! And the replacement pads were only $6.92 for 30 pads.
Well, Jennifer if you went to the Neutrogena Wave web site you can also get a coupon for $3 off. That would make the refill $3.92. I am sure they will be putting coupons in Sundays paper for this product like they do must things.
I LOVE this product. I bought it a week ago and my small acne cleared up!!! My face was great after the first time I used it. Couldnt be happier. I have oily acne skin, but hey, I dont anymore!!!! LUV it!!!!!!!!
Well, I have very oil skin. I saw this product at a CVS and it looked very good. I don’t exactly know if the menthol is a bad thing, but by all the reviews I have read, I can’t wait to try it.
wait so how much is this product im hearing many different prices and i went to another page and there were 2 there with different prices i really want to try it but not if its pricey
I saw this the other day at walgreens, and decided to buy it. I used it the other night and loved the immediate results, my skin was so soft and smoooth, which are results I haven’t had with any other product. The next morning, I woke up to find the little bumps on my face were gone. I love using this product!!! i’m just upset I didn’t know about it sooner!
I tried this a few days ago & it exceeded expectations. I have acne prone skin, maybe a tad bit sensitive too…and this product worked wonders. Never, I repeat, NEVER have I had my skin feeling so soft! I haven’t experienced any negative side-effects (ie, dryness, more acne..etc.). It’s definitely a great product. I suppose more time will allow a better response…but for now it’s working as promised. I will continue using.
I absolutely LOVE the wave.
I bought the starter kit (at target) which included the wave, 4 packets of pads, and a battery.
It leaves me skin feeling immediately soft after the first use.
I have used it for only 2 days now.
and my small acne is completely dissapeared!!
I love it!
I HIGHLY recommend it.
Would you recommend this product to a 13 year old? I’ve heard mixed reviews on this (the majority of them being positive) product, and I would like to try it out!
When you ladies are talking about ’small acne’, what do you mean? Do you mean small bumps? I have both small bumps, and a couple pimples. I’m not expecting it to do much for the larger pimples, but would love if it cleared up to smaller bumps…. just as long as it doesn’t give me more larger one! Has anyone experienced this product making their face break out worse? Thanks!
Hey is this ok for teens?i have moderate acne,with “small acne”(mostly small acne)and i have 1 hugge pimple that i get 3 days before my period,and i wanna see if i can prevent it.
anywayz,i am gonna go and buy it tomorrow.wish me luck!!
Hey people!!!just wanted say I did buy it,and it is relly good!i havnt seen improvements in my acne yet but i can feel my skin is softer.It can hurt a tad if u leave it on a larger pimple for to long. LOVE how it tingles,and you can feel your pores being freed of gunk,and puss.YAY!
Melina- thanks for the update… let us know if it continues to work! I’ve been looking for one in the drug stores, and can’t find one! I guess I’ll have to try looking in Walmart or Target. If I fine one, I’ll let you know how it does…. Best of luck with it!
Amy,
I bought mine at target for $11.99.I hope you find one!!
and for everyone else,the only problem I have is I have dry skin(It’s winter here after all)and I need to use moisturizer afterwards.But other than that,it’s the best thing I have EVER used!(And my other advice is DONT USE PROACTIV!!)
Hey gals, I’ve been reading this thread for quite a few days, and I wanted to thank you all for your input. Of course when something seems too good to be true, it normally is. But it doesn’t seem to be the case with this. I have very dry flaky sensitive skin. Often it is so bad, it’s painful to wash my face, and I feel grotesque and therefore never go out. So needless to say, I’m extremely enthusiastic about getting this product. I was about to buy it online since I can’t find it at a Walgreens/Happy Harry’s or Eckerd/Rite Aid. But someone mentioned Target, so I’ll have my husband check that out tomorrow. If not, looks like I’ll have to buy it online! Again, thanks for the input, and I’ll update you where I found it and how it went. Cuz if it can do wonders for me, then it can work for anyone
I’m a teenager, 14 years old, and I don’t have bad acne at all. I was wondering if the wave was suitable for me. My skin is not too sensitive, I have used a clinique system, and it worked for a while, but after a few weeks, my forehead got bumpy. The bumps weren’t really pimples, just lumps that were slightly red. I think that happened because if I don’t use anything, my chin, cheeks, nose, and area between the cheeks and nose are where I get little bumps. It’s just small bumps and occasional miniscule white spots that are easy to pop. I also tried proactiv, and it worked, but the lotion stung. I used it in the end of november, and my skin became too dry and peeled. What I am looking for is something that can keep my skin smooth and a generally even skin tone. I can’t wear makeup to school, if i do, I’ll get a detention. Anyways, I don’t even own any makeup.
If you don’t think that the wave would work well for me, could you reccomend something that would?
has anyone had any problems at all with this product i know it is doing well for pretty much everyone on this page but i want to know if there are any problems at all im still making up my mind
non at all!!!I love this product!I’ve only had it for 3 days and it’s changed all my red bumps into smaller,less noticable bumps,and the bumps I had are gone,with no marks or anything!
TOTALLY recommended!So good.By the way,I am a 13 year old,with an over active face,and its working wonderfully for me.
hey! i haven’t bought this product yet…but i was wondering if it will work on oily skin? Which I have and it’s bothering me. Do they have different pads for the wave with different face washes in them? JW Everyone keeps talking about how it clears little bumps…I don’t have little bumps I have pimples and haven’t found the right thing for me. Hope this works!
oh ya I’m a teenager and if anyone has any tips for people with over oily skin.. please tell me!
hhmm. i keep wanting to buy this! my mom thinks its a gimmick (im 14 almost 15 feb 20th) anyways.. i think im going to buy this because of all the amazing reviews. does it take off makeup well and does it remove blackheads? i have really oily skin and TONS of blackheads.. not really pimples..maybe some small ones but its mainly blackheads. i want to know about the makeup removal because i wear foundation (covergirls trublend powder foundation- if it makes a difference) and i wanted to know.
i have relly bad acne but im going to try it i hope it works for my acne!
my acne is getting way better!!some of the marks have faded,and i can feel my skin is growing softer.again,do not leave on certain spots for to long.
and madison,i am sure it will work!I love the way it tingles,and it feels nice after a long day.the only thing is I run the pad under the water first,because that gets it more soapy.
good luck girls!!
hey most people say that the wave works but wont the soap dry out your
skin
I have a great idea if you don’t want to spend 21 dollars a month on replacement pads: buy regular cotton facial pads (can be found at Wal Mart for very cheap) and put your own facial wash on them. I do this every other day, and I love it.
I use The Wave, and i LOVE it, great buy!!!
I got mine at Target for like $12!! Great price!
I just bought this product yesterday and am not satisfied unless I’m doing something wrong..are the pads supposed to really sud up? How much water do you put on the pad. This should have came with detailed instructions cuz I dont feel like I’m getting anything out of this.
Kim, if you don’t feel that your pads are suds-ing, just add a little bit of your own face wash
I found mine today finally in a Target and they only had the pink (not that I particularly care) for 11.79. Add in the $2 off coupon and it’s less than 10 bucks. Plus it comes with a $3 off coupon for the next month’s pads. As I said before I have extremely dry and sensitive skin. My face feels incredible, and my husband can’t get over how smooth is feels. I’ll see how my face is in a few days to see if there are any irritated spots. I had a different concept of how the product works. I thought it would vibrate more of harder and be somewhat massaging. And I didn’t realize the pads had cleanser IN it. And they don’t suds up as much as I thought. But despite all of my misconcepts, I think (so far) that it’s great. I don’t see the price as being an issue – if there’s something that works and you have to spend 8 bucks a month, what’s the problem? It won’t break the bank. It’s better than spending a couple hundred on similar products or getting a salon facial. So far I’m seeing the same (or even better) results.
This is day #2 for me, and I do have some irritation on my face. I’ll give it another 2-3 days to see if it’s helped at all, and if not, I’ll be giving it to my mom. I had no irritation before I started using the product yesterday, so I can confidently say that if you have sensitive )extremely sensitive skin) don’t get this. It does dry your skin out, so I bought new moisturizer, so hopefully the combo will work
But my face is still really smooth!
I just bought the wave yesterday at target. It is outstanding. I used it last night in the shower,and my skin is so soft and cleaan!
I bought the Wave and I’ve been having problems with getting it to lather well. Do you wet your face before you start to use it? Or apply it to a dry face?
Ive had the same problem with the wave. When ive used it, it doesnt lather up very much at all. Any suggestions?
about the lathering prob,does it NEED to lather a ton?What I do is run the pad under the sink as fast as it will go for a few seconds and it lathers up a little.
but my point is,I didnt need it to lather up a ton.It still cleared up my acne!BOOYA!
I just tried it today. My skin is smoother, but the soap turned me bright red and burned my skin.
OMG! I tried this product it ah-mazing! My face is like so smooth. Also my face looks better and my black heads are going away! I recommended to my friends. Im only 13 but ive tried every thing. This is by far the best thing i have tried. My skin is extremly oily. This dries it up nicely. As for the pads and being expensive some days only use one before bed and others morning and night. I love it also good luck!
I just got this today, and I’ve haad this problem with bumps UNDER my skin that I could never get to go away. A few hours later, some of it’s ALREADY GONE. It didn’t irritate me at all. Also, everythings really cheap at Target and Walmart, so I suggest you get it there. Thanx for all the comments!
Ladies, if your having a problem with it lathering up, just wet your face first along with the wave, and then massage your face with the wave for about 2 minutes. Be sure to moisturize your skin about 5 minutes after clensing it. If you moisturise it immediately after, your skin may burn.This product definitely makes your sknin smoother after the first time, but I hope this isn’t one of those products that stop working after a month
i got my wave today! i’ll post more later after i use it = ]
so i got the wave today and used it in the shower.. i don’t think that is what i would call a lather! i didn’t know if soap was coming out of it! however, i do think it made my skin smoother. ill write back in a week or two if anything else comes up.
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