Oily Skin? You’re Going to Like This!

Lightweight hydrator that blurs out pores and preps skin for makeup application? Umm, yes please!

For the last week or so, I’ve been falling in love with Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer.* It’s probably one of the most unique skincare products that I’ve used in a long time. It’s a very specific product but not necessarily suitable for all skin types. You sort of need to know how to make it work for your skin.

This is what Clinique says about their Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer:

This oil-free moisturizer instantly blurs imperfections, provides all-day hydration, and controls surface oil for skin that looks naturally perfected with a matte finish. The lightweight formula is great to wear alone, under foundation, and for touch-ups throughout the day. It’s the ideal way to give your skin the moisture it needs, and the forgiving retouch that blurs the look of pores and fine dry lines.

This multitasking moisturizer can be used three ways:
-On clean skin for an instant filter and all-day hydration.
-As a perfect primer for foundation, tinted moisturizers, or powder. Let moisturizer absorb fully before applying makeup over it.
-Throughout the day, over makeup, as needed.

WHAT I LOVE:

-it’s fragrance-free, which is always a huge plus for me
-mattifies skin which means that it works nicely with oily skin
-doesn’t irritate my skin
-works well under makeup
-a little bit goes a very long way
-blurs out pores
-I actually like using this on TOP of my foundation as well. I take a very small amount, rub it between my fingers and gently press it around my nose, cheeks and chin, where I get oily (I like to do the same thing with my Benefit POREfessional primer. If your skin gets super oily during the day, try doing this!)

WHAT I DON’T LOVE:

-okay, this product is definitely not suitable for all skin types, if you’re dry, this will not provide you with enough moisture
-this actually feels a bit more like a primer- think POREfesional on steroids
-you have to be careful about how much product you use- apply too much and it will pile on on your skin

I’m definitely in love with this moisturizer, but I know that not everyone will get along with it. I love how well it works under makeup so much that I really think of it more as a rich primer, rather than a moisturizer. Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is a very unique product, you sort of need to figure out how to make it work for your skin. If you have dry skin, I’d recommend using a light moisturizer and then gently pressing a small amount of HydroBlur into your skin and your makeup will look flawless.

Three other products from the Clinique Pep Start range are: Pep Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser, Pep Start Quick Cleansing Swipes and Pep Start Eye Cream. The cleanser is not something I’d usually reach for as I don’t like physical exfoliators, but this one is really gentle and doesn’t irritate or scratch my skin and leaves it feeling very refreshed. The wipes are perfect for refreshing your skin before applying makeup or just as a mid-day pick-me-up, perfect for traveling (definitely not meant to remove makeup though-they’re not moist/saturated enough). I’m also really loving this eye cream, too- the packaging is fantastic. It’s formulated with glycerin, squalane, and dimethicone- all three are great for retaining moisture. Will this immediately brighten and perk up your skin? No, but it will moisturize it nicely and prep it for concealer application.

Clinique Pep Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is definitely my favorite product from this range. Sephora also sells this Pep Start Sampler-Kit for $15.00 if you’d like to give it a try without getting full-sized products.

*this post contains PR samples