Hot nights, hot lights, stressful days, oily face. Even the models walking the runways at Fashion Week can have oily faces, and that’s not a fashionable look. One way to combat shine, is with a product that apparently, been a “professional secret” for photographers and makeup artists for years.
If you want in on the secret, it’s OC8 Professional Mattifying Gel by Ferndale Healthcare (Srp. $41.00) . It is supposed to combat shine and even skin tone, up to 8 hours. It can be used after moisturizers and sun screens, but prior to oil-free makeup. The product is good for all skin tones and types. It’s a lightweight gel formula with “ACRYSORB (DVB/Isobornyl Methacrylate/Lauryl Methavrylate Copolymer)” That’s an impressively long name for invisible micro-particles that are designed to trap facial sebum ((the basis for oil on the skin), on contact. It has been used by makeup artists on popular Television shows like American Idol and Glee. You have to believe that those actors and actresses are working up a shiny mess on their faces due to the hot lights, makeup, stress and all that movement!
Naturally, I tried this product, and I liked it. My skin is not all that oily, but the product helped keep my skin shine-free for hours. That being said, everyone’s skin is different, and every product, no matter how good, performs differently under different conditions. If your skin is super-oily or you are in a hot and very humid environment, you may have to layer it on more than usual, and keep your expectations reasonable. If you’re in a rainforest environment, or baking in the sun for hours, you will probably experience breakthrough shine. If you are not wearing foundation and/or cleanse your face, your can re-apply it as needed. The gel is refreshing on the skin, pleasant to use, and it will work very well if your skin is not terribly oily, or you’re in a dry climate. My only complain is really about the packaging: I would have much preferred a tube with a squeeze top or a pump instead of a bulky, screw-off cap.
If you want to read about the “clinically proven” study on this product, published in the January 2006 edition of Cosmetic Dermatology, as written by Dr. Zoe Draelos, MD., the OC8 web site offers the full article, “The Role of Sebum Absorption in the Appearance of Facial Erythema,” click here.
That being said, it’s worth a try if you want skin that is more mattified. You can buy it at online at amazon.com or from physicians.For more information visit: http://www.oc8.com
