Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sara Hassan
,
Summer is driving my t-zone crazy! The humid weather induces excess secretion of oil around my nose and forehead which wipes off my foundation which is so annoying. So it’s natural that I am drawn towards things that say ‘mattifying’.
Hydrafresh Anti Shine All Day Hydrating and Mattifying Icy Gel
A light weight skin-cooling texture which brings an instant ocean splash to your skin, locking in a reserve of hydration and freshness. It controls your skin temperature to prevent perspiration and shine. Enriched with Zinc and Micro Sponge technology, it regulates the sebum and inhibits excessive oil production to bring an immediate mattifying action.
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| L’Oreal Hydrafresh Anti Shine All Day Hydrating and Mattifying Icy Gel |
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| L’Oreal Hydrafresh Anti Shine All Day Hydrating and Mattifying Icy Gel |
I am a fan of L’Oreal Hydrafresh Aqua Gel. Since it’s gel-based, I find it great for my combination skin type. It’s not just me; my sister who has an oily skin seconds me on this. I was hoping that Icy Gel might be even better for summer as it also claims to mattify the skin.
The first application wooed me instantly as the tingling icy feeling was so very refreshing just like it claims – an instant ocean splash to your skin. So yes, I absolutely love the minty scent and the cooling sensation. When I applied it, I noticed that Icy Gel takes teensy bit more time to absorb into the skin in comparison to Aqua Gel. When it sets, my skin feels firm and of course hydrated.
Icy Gel doesn’t feel heavy on my face or look greasy at all but unlike Aqua Gel, which vanishes into the skin, I can somehow feel Icy Gel on my skin probably because of its skin firming effect or perhaps it doesn’t soak into the skin completely.
The whole thing now comes down to the mattifying part. Does it keep my skin matte? Well, I don't think so. My T-zone remains shine free for two hours which is for a much longer time without this gel. It does fulfill the hydration role but doesn’t prevent sweat or shine whatsoever. The micro sponge technology doesn’t inhibit oil production for me. As a matter of fact, I believe, my oil glands get all the more active when I put it on which was never the case with Aqua Gel. Do not try putting this gel in excess (if you think that a greater quantity would magnify the mattifying property) because it will leave you looking like an oil spill after an hour and a half; less is more for this gel. Be warned: it might break you out.
The bottom line, Aqua Gel wins the battle. I really love the cool and breezy feeling of Icy Gel but it doesn’t hold up to its mattifying claim. I am so disappointed with this product.
You might like it if…
- You have combination to oily skin type.
- You enjoy the icy cool sensation and the refreshing scent.
- You expect a little hydration with a non-greasy feel.
- You have super oily skin.
- You expect it to stop sweat.
- You expect it to control shine
- You over-do the quantity.
- It might break you out.
2.5/5
I purchased Hydrafresh Anti Shine All Day Hydrating and Mattifying Icy Gel from Agha’s superstore Karachi for PKR 650.
I tried it and it broke me out badly. I didn't work for me, as it claims it will.
ReplyDeleteI think all these creams/ gels and other skin products for oil control differ from person to person. i have been using icy gel from quite a while now and it keeps my skin oil free for atleast 5 6 hours( my skin is very oily). So personally i think that whoever uses it will have differebnt opinion about the results. as for me my quest for a perfect oil control product ended after using this product.
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked for you :) x
DeleteI have to say, the day i started using this product my life became a whole lot easier. perhaps the best oil control product i ever used.
ReplyDeleteBad it didn't work out well for you. Nice review sara!
ReplyDeletegreat review. too bad this won't work out for me either.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in using oil controlling aids artificially, as it proves that u try to mess up with ur glands functions. So when I was in pakistan I never used anything to matify apart from blotting papers as I used to have very oily skin. What do say Sara
ReplyDeleteHey shaz, you are right about the blotting papers. :)
DeleteWell, about this product, for someone it will work and for some, it won't. It's not just a matter of skin, it also depends upon the weather and most of all, humidity. Anti-shine products do exist and I have yet to explore them. :) x
Honest review once again from you. Loreal is promising often :)
ReplyDeleteI want to give this a try, I have a feeling that this might work well for me... ^_^ awesome review!
ReplyDeletei was planning to give this product a shot .. thanks for your honest review sara ..
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the first bit of information my heart skipped a beat. But it seems really disappointing. : ( It's not available in my area but this is kind of....meh.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for this for a long time, does anyone know where it's sold in London? or Can I get it online?
ReplyDeleteI've been using it since 2 months along with the essence serum. awesome results. my skin type is combination and sensitive. even some of my red acne spots are gone... it really gives supple skin texture. it's too good. but may be not for use after moist summers, can coz dryness during season change.
ReplyDeleteI've been using it since last 2 moths.i've combinatio and sensitive skin type. the gel has gr8 texture. superbly absorbs. gives fresh fell good tingling feeling.. more over that after using one month with the essence along it has reduced my red pimple spots also. really makes the skin supple and transperent.
ReplyDeletecons
ideal for use in moist warm climate during summers.
but can coz dryness during falls.not for dry climate