Shine-free but fresh.

Any day is a good day to talk about a new moisturizer. Whether you have normal, dry, or oily skin, moisturizers are still vital to your daily skincare routine because they help keep your skin hydrated and taken care of. Of course you'll need the right kind of moisturizer for your skin type because they're not exactly a one-kind-fits-all kind of product. Thankfully I have a normal skin type which means I get to experiment with anything I find interesting. Today I have something that caters more on the oily side of the spectrum.

 The First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil Free Mattifying Gel is a non-comedogenic gel moisturizer that provides oily or acne-prone skin with the perfect balance of hydration and oil control. Some of its key ingredients include FMLT SeboCure (a proprietary blend that help absorb sebum, reduce greasy skin, and discourage future blemishes from forming), Zinc PCA and Lecithin (they help diminish shine and reduce the appearance of pores), Salicornia Herbacea (it helps boost skin’s hydration levels that's also rich in anti-oxidants), and Ceramide 3 (it protects the skin’s barrier). 

Though it is mainly for oily skin types, it is also good for normal, combination, dry, and sensitive skin types. This product is allergy-tested and free of artificial fragrances and colorants. Most importantly, it is cruelty-free.

Formula is quite like a loose gel- a bit jelly-ish but still has a bit of fluidity in it. When you tap the product, it breaks and turns to a proper water-based moisturizer, even feels like one on the skin. The product easily spreads out and trust me- a little squeeze of product goes a long way. When I first tried this out, my usual amount of moisturizer turned out to be a bit too much so I really recommend squeezing out bit by bit to avoid wasting it. 

Applying it on the skin is pretty satisfying because it feels watery and cooling, in a way. It doesn't get absorbed right away so you have to work it into your skin until it gets dry to the touch. Now, here's where the magic (or weirdness, depending on how you feel about it) begins: when it starts drying down, you'll feel a bit of tackiness on the skin. When it fully dries down, it legit feels like the same finish as a silicone-type kind of primer. It has this dry, almost powdery feeling. But get this- while it feels powdery matte to the touch, the skin still feels very moisturized and hydrated. Mind. Blown! It's honestly a weird, confusing feeling and it's one of those love it or hate it scenarios. It's my first time experiencing this and it's honestly a freaking trip.

I tested this moisturizer with a semi-matte foundation and silicone-based primer and I gotta say, it turned out to be a great trio. Since the FAB moisturizer dries down, it didn't move or shift my base and since it's also moisturizing, my skin didn't feel parched at all. Based on product reviews I've seen online, some users found this product a good primer since it does resemble the texture of a silicone primer and some even praised it for keeping the oils away. Personally, I found the same with me except with the ever stubborn and oily T-zone. But other than that it pretty much kept my face shine-free without making it look too matte and flat.

If you have very oily skin, this may not work fully or at all on you. While it does mattify the skin and reduces shine and greasiness, its oil control isn't that strong. But I'll tell you this- it excels with hydration. It's similar to water-based moisturizers that just boost the hydration of the skin. If you have dry skin, this may also be a hit or miss, especially for those with prominent dry patches. Normal and combination skin are well-matched with this product.

Overall, a surprisingly fantastic moisturizer that gives superb hydration to the skin. Yes, the finish may be a bit weird and confusing but it does the job well in hydration and making sure your skin looks shine-free without looking flat and dull. I also like that it can, in a way, double up as a primer! I love finding a good dual purpose product!