L’Oreal Men Expert Pure & Matte moisturising gel with anti-sebum complex contains oil micro-captors to help control shiny skin. Immediately mattifies skin with an anti-shine effect.
Features at a Glance
- Shine control for matte, healthy-looking skin
- Pure & matte with anti-sebum complex contains oil micro-captors to help control shiny skin
- Immediately mattifies the skin
- Anti-shine effect
- Healthy-looking skin
Pros
- The gel sinks into the skin especially after shaving, it does also sooth the skin and help reduce razor burn
- The gel is light and easy to apply, you don’t need that much as it seems to thin out as it heats up on your skin
- It feels fresh and clean as you apply it, the smell is quite nice and there is a little tingling sensation when you first apply, I think this might be the alcohol but it’s only light.
Cons
The price is a little steep for what is really a mid-range product. £9.99 50 ML | £19.98 per 100ML but L’Oreal do make quality, trustworthy products so it’s not too bad.
I would class this as an every day moisturiser, keep in your gym bag/car glove box and desk draw as I don’t think it does everything it claims – I will elaborate.
My Opinion
So I have used this moisturiser for a number of years and up until about 2 yrs ago, it was the only thing I used. It might that my skin has either changed or the product did because after awhile I wasn’t as impressed with the results as I used to be.
I am not saying it’s not good, it is, but I have found better moisturising products that suit my skin now.
I am not sure about its claims to reinforce the skin’s natural resistance, what does this actually mean? Also what is: ADS™ Active Defence System, a powerful soothing active ingredient, helps reinforce the skin’s natural resistance against daily aggression.
Ok, I understand your skin goes through a hell of a lot in a day but I never found I looked the same at the end of the day as at the beginning, no matter what product goes on my face.
Instead of this being a white cream, which we expect from most moisturisers, it’s actually a gel, a green one. No one said a moisturiser had to be white, we have just become to expect this. The gel actually has a quite nice feeling about it, the texture is smooth and easy to apply, the best I can describe it is like the sanitising hand gels you can get (without the medical smell).
As far as the claims the gel hydrates your skin then I’m not sure, as I said does feel good when you apply it but hydrating it for 24hrs, I don’t think so, especially for bald guys. It is, however, non-greasy, non-sticky and quickly absorbed into all areas of your face and head.
This is what L’Oreal says about the product
“Pure & matte moisturising gel. L’Oréal Men Expert Pure & Matte moisturiser is perfect solution to protects against shiny and oily skin. It mattifiers, leaving skin looking healthy.”
Price
RRP £4.99 – available to buy on Amazon – see link for accurate country-specific pricing. Product typically available for shipping Worldwide. Pricing subject to change at any time.
Ratings
| Protection: |  (4 / 5) |
| Price: | (4 / 5) |
| Average: | (4 / 5) |
Final thoughts
I can say from experience that I have tested this product every day for easily over 2-3yrs, so I hope I know a thing or two about it. I like this gel but it has some faults, I think these are mainly the claims from L’Oreal about what it does, 24hr hydration – maybe in lab conditions and maybe for men with hair and normal to dry skin.
If you’re a bald guy like me then yet again it feels like a brand claiming their product will be suitable for ALL men – not the case.
One irritation I found from using this gel was when my skin got wet, rain, sweat etc then the gel would become sticky until I rubbed it around my head again. Not a massive issue, as a bald guy you tend to wipe your head quite a bit during the day, the problem was more of the sticky feeling it left – I felt like I needed to wipe my face/head clean and then reapply.
Sounds like I am being quite negative here but these are real-world reviews, not ones made up to sell products. With over 20yrs knowledge trying different products I like to think I can give you an objective unbiased review.
I am still going to rate this product quite high and I would recommend trying it, I was happy with it for over 2 yrs and it comes from a respected brand who’s products I like. It does pretty much what it claims even if some of them are quite exaggerated and it’s not really that expensive.
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All well and good – but does the claimed mattifying effect work?
I’m bald and my scalp shines brightly, reflecting everything it can.
I’m less concerned with all the other characteristics – I need to drastically reduce the sparkly shine.
If not this product, can you recommend another?
Thanks for the help.
Regards,
Fred
Hi there Fred, thanks for the comment.
If you manage to read some of my other reviews you will see there are all kinds of products out there that offer a ‘mattifying effect’, some are better than of others and it not always about going for the most expensive one.
There are 3 that I have found to be really effective and I use these throughout the year. Like you I don’t like a shinny scalp, I know it’s all down to personal preference but mine it not to dazzle!
1. Matte for Men https://thebaldgent.com/review-matte-for-men-complete-face-care-lotion/ This really does the trick for me, if you read my review it might be the one for you. I tend to use this in the summer as it has an SPF 30 protection level, so going out in the sun you feel more protected. The people at Matte For Men are a really helpful bunch too.
2. Bull Dog Oil Control. https://thebaldgent.com/bulldog-oil-control-face-scrub-review/ This is my everyday moisturiser, it’s one of the cheaper ones so I tend to be quite liberal with it’s use. Have a read again of my review but it’s definitely worth trying.
3. Men-u http://www.men-u.co.uk/product/matt-moisturiser-100ml/ This I have yet to post my review. I have been using this for sometime and it’s every-bit as good as they say it is – I really like how light it is and how easy it soaks into you skin, esp on the top of your head. I will be using this more over the coming months and look out for my review.
I would say you need to try a few to find the right one(s) for you. I have been testing several over the years and the 3 above so far have been the best for me. Let me know what you think.
BTW – Top Tip. If you ever feel later in the day that you head feels a little greasy or looks shinny try to have some paper towels to hand, you know, the ones you find in rest rooms/toilets. These are simply brilliant for getting rid of excess oil and decrease the shine. I use them all the time in the summer months of hot office days. One towel and then a little bit of your fav moisturiser and your good to go – link example here