One thing I like about Clarins is that they have specific products for any complaints that you may have. Most brands make only one oil-control daytime moisturizer but Clarins makes two. The one I'm currently reviewing is the one for combination skin, the Hydra-Matte Lotion. They have another one, Ultra-Matte Day Concentrate, for oilier skins.
My Skin:
Living on a hot, humid, tropical island year-round has made my otherwise balanced skin shiny 3-4 hours after cleansing. I'm greasy on the forehead and nose, and comfortable on the cheeks and chin, with occasional dryness around the mouth area. If you have this type of skin, read on...
What The Product Promised:
Taken from the box- ''...provides continuous anti-shine action for the T-zone area...continually balances the skin's hydrolypidic area, helps refine skin texture and tightens pores. Its complexion-matifying action helps promote radiant, long-lasting make-up that will not fade.''
How It Performed:
As a basic moisturizer, this is not bad. It never makes skin feel tight, unlike some extremely potent shine-control moisturizers I have tried.
As for the claims on refining skin texture and tightening pores, I'm not too sure. I have some open pores from past breakouts. They are not exactly what I naturally have. In any case, I'm skeptical whether a moisturizer can help pores. All I know is that you have to deep-cleanse (ie. exfoliate and use a deep-cleansing mask once or twice a week) and pores may LOOK smaller.
For the oil-control part, it is quite mediocre. My skin T-zone feels shiny after 6 hours, at best. Bur what is amazing is that though skin may feel greasy, when you look into a mirror, it actually still looks quite matte. Very strange. What I really like is the dewy look it gives my cheeks, even under a very matte powder foundation.
Ingredients:
There are some stuff to look out for...
There is vitamin B6, something that some research claims can help refine pores, in the long-run. Well, I will see if it works. Zinc is also added for roughly the same effect.
There is also mineral oil (aka paraffinum liquidum) in this moisturizer! It is known to be a potential pore-clogger! Well, I have used this for 2 months without any major breakouts. Guess it is because the percentage of mineral oil is not very high, since it falls nearer the bottom of the ingredient list.
There is something else- talc. This is a rather common oil-absorber but I think Clarins is being rather cheapskate to use this. I know Estee Lauder to use sophisticated ''enzyme'' technology for this purpose. I'm just thinking that if we are paying good money for this, we should at least know what are the stuff we are paying for.
Also, there are tons of ingredients in this product, so sensitive skins should avoid this product altogether. I have moderately sensitive skin, but it is more stress-reactive than environmentally-reactive so it is okay for me. But I'm going to give this a miss during more stressful times of the year.
Scent:
The fragrance is light and fresh, slightly citrusy, but that's almost unnoticeable.
Who Will Like This:
People with normal skins may like this as a summer moisturizer. Also good for folks with slightly oily skins (more shiny than oily.)If you consider yourself ''normal to oily'', you may also like this. This is an option if excessive shine and clogged pores are not your main issues.
Alternatives:
If your skin is truly oily, nothing works better than Estee Lauder Clear Difference. It really works! But chances are that you may need to alternate with a more moisturizing product. If you have oil issues, Clarins Ultra-Matte Day Concentrate has better oil-control abilities than this Hydra-Matte Day Lotion. And unlike the Estee Lauder, this should be something all oily-skinned people out there can use everyday.
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