Review: Bioderma Sébium Mat Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid

      I picked up the Bioderma Moisturising Mattifying Fluid on a whim last time I was at my favorite pharmacy here in Paris. I wanted something that would help control my oily skin without drying it out.

                            

The Moisturising Mattifying Fluid claims to be "Long-lasting moisturizing and anti-shine skin care for combination or oily skin." It's supposed to work by neutralizing "the reflection phenomenon though the unique action of original microparticles (silica and micropearls). Your skin reflects less light (optical correction)." It also is supposed to absorb your excess oil and regulate sebum secretion "thanks to its seboregulating agents (zinc gluconate, vitamin B6) working in synergy." It claims to improve the quality of your skin's sebum to prevent any clogs in your pores. It has "keroregulating agents (AHA esters)" to speed up cell turnover and "tighten the pores." It's supposed to be quickly absorbed, a good base for makeup that does not flake, and "skin remains clear, soft and perfectly matte all day long."

Here are the ingredients (I like that there's no alcohol denat.): 

This stuff is like a gel cream in consistency, and it feels really nice and cooling once you smooth it on the skin. It also smells amazing and really fresh, almost like watermelon. It hydrates beautifully without making me oily. Like it claims, it doesn't flake.

Although it doesn't make me oily, it doesn't control oil either, if that makes sense. I think for those people that use a mattifying SPF or that don't wear sunscreen (even though you should) this would just be the perfect daytime moisturizer for a non shiny finish and great makeup base, but it's not going to do anything to stop oil production or counteract a greasier sunscreen like the one I'm using at the moment. So that said, I don't think it really is all that it claims to be as far as oil production control. It doesn't really do anything for the appearance of pores either. I can't comment on the quality of my sebum, because usually, although I am oily, my skin doesn't clog that much because I take such good care of it.

I do like this for nights I'm going out and just want something to hydrate my skin that doesn't have SPF in it that I can wear under makeup. It's probably not going to be a repurchase once I finish it since I don't think it lives up to the claims, but I don't regret buying it either. 

If you're looking for a non SPF daytime moisturizer, this is a good one. If you want a mattifier, look elsewhere.