You know, I am that annoying person that loves to talk about your skin. Your products, your concerns,your everything. Of course I am very polite and restrained and will not offer unwanted advice. *cough*
I am just curious.
And I like to gift skincare, be it for birthdays or Christmas, so I need the background information!
A very polite and subtle way to make a suggestion, don’t you think? You don´t? Oh well.
The best thing about shopping for Christmas skincare is that I usually happen to discover a treat for myself. As you do when browsing the skincare isles. Last year I picked up some goodies for my sister and -voilà- a bottle of REN Clarimatte T-Zone Balancing Gel Cream for myself.
What REN Skincare claims:
A light gel moisturiser that leaves skin matte, balanced and hydrated. Combats the appearance of oiliness, blemishes and breakouts and protects against free radicals. Actively balances combination skin by minimising oily T-zone and hydrating drier areas.
A complex blend of actives helps reduce and normalise sebum production, and therefore shine, minimises the appearance of large pores, offers antimicrobial properties to minimise breakouts and blemishes while protecting skin against free radicals.
Facts:
Prize and size
One bottle contains 50 ml and retails for 52 $ on Sephora here or for 22 GBP on the REN website here. My German readers can buy it off Douglas here for 28 €.
I started using it in January and used it, with a break throughout the hot summer months, for around five months. There still seems to be a decent amount left.
Texture and smell
Despite being called a gel cream, the product looks and feels more like a regular cream to me. It is white, more firm than runny, but incredibly lightweight once applied. And, my major selling point when it comes to moisturizers, sinks in almost immediately.
The scent is soothing, a Lavender note that I personally really like.
Application and effects
Be warned, one pump is way more than you will need, so press lightly. Half a pump was enough for my face and neck. Due to the fact that it sinks in so quickly, it worked well under makeup and left my skin feeling hydrated, but not greasy. It did help with any dehydration I had, but had no significant effect on shine.
Favorable ingredients:
- Glycerin: Hydrating
- Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract: Salicylic Acid (BHA)
- Oryzanol (Rice Bran Oil): Brightening
- Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants, Omega-3 and -6
- Bisabolol: Hydrating
- Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil: antibacterial, controls sebum production
- Tocopherol: Vit. E, antioxydant
- Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil: Antibacterial
- Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Symbiosome Extract: Antioxidant
- Cassia Alata Leaf Extract: Antioxidant, antibacterial
- Crataegus Oxyacantha Stem Extract: Antioxidant
- Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract: Soothing
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory
Unfavorable Ingredients:
- Limonene, Linalool: Naturally occurring in essential oils potentially irritating
Does it live up to its claims?
Most of them.
The gel cream did a great job at balancing my combination skin, I did not get oily when wearing that and it is packed with antioxidants and blemish-fighting ingredients. The only thing it is not for me is mattifying.
Would I repurchase?
Yes.
Rich enough for me throughout winter, full of good ingredients and hydrating where I need it. Plus it doesn’t break the bank, which is always a bonus.
Who do I recommend it to?
People with combination oily skin looking for a daytime moisturizer, especially when they are acne-prone.
This will not be rich enough for anyone with dry skin, and normal skins could prefer it in the summertime.
Do you like talking skincare to people outside the blogging world? Come on, I cant be the only one!
Oh, by the way, have you seen my latest Vlog?
https://youtu.be/WcTRVBJ6g-8