Dermalogica is a salon brand which offers a wide range of skin and body care products.

~Matte Block~

Dermalogica offer a few different products which are designed to protect your skin from the sun. This review discusses the 'Oil Free Matte Block'.

Matte Block is designed for use by those who are prone to breakouts and excess oil on the face. It contains no artificial colour or fragrance. Matte Block is marketed as being an oil free moisturiser which can be used daily and throughout the year. It contains spf20 and has a formula which will leave the skin with a matte finish and no powdery coating or texture.

The active ingredients include octinoxate, octisalate and titanium dioxide. Matte Block should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure or prior to going out during the day as it protects the skin from sun and day light in general. Matte Block is presented in a small, round bottle which is basic in appearance and blends in with the other products in this range. It has a nozzle dispenser concealed by a screw on lid.

Matte Block can be purchased from www.pure-beauty.co.uk priced at £25.95. It is also stocked by www.beautyflash.co.uk priced at £27.99 and www.dermalexpert.co.uk priced at £26.75. This is only available in a 50ml size.

~My Opinion~

My sister has oily skin and made a purchase of this Matte Block last summer as she was able to buy it at a discounted price. At full price it is very expensive but it does last. Anyway, my sisters skin is more sensitive that my own and more often than not, she takes a reaction to new products. After a few uses of matte block, she came to the conclusion that it wasn't for her as her skin didn't feel normal when she used it. This wasn't the fault of the product and is more down to the fact that she has inherited my Dads awkward skin genes!

Anyway, I was given the remainder of this Matte Block. I always try to ensure I wear a day cream with a least some spf in it - especially during the warmer (and rare) months we get up here in Scotland. My skin is mostly dry through the year but is prone to breakouts of oiliness at random times. Oil on my skin makes it feel awful and icky so I used this Matte Block during those times. It is perfectly gentle on the skin to be used daily and those with oily skin all of the time would benefit from such a product.

~Using Matte Block~

Matte Block flows freely from the bottle and has a thin and lightweight consistency - somewhere in between a milk and a lotion. There is a faint aroma to it which I cannot put my finger on but it doesn't last long when on the skin. This product is very easily spread across the skin and makes me think of applying a thin sunlotion. It is incredibly cooling and gentle and a tiny dribble is sufficient to coat my full face in an even layer of product.

I mainly concentrate on my t-zone area as this gets the most oily during a breakout. I do apply it all over my face though and have noticed any dryness around my chin and mouth isn't made worse or better by using this product. The lotion sinks in without too much massaging and doesn't feel like it is clogging my pores - it is light and kind to my sensitive skin.

Once soaked in, the surface of my skin feels quite nice. Dermalogica claim that this lotion will absorb the excess oils and this is a very true account given my usage of this product. My t-zone area is instantly refreshed and any shiny/oily texture and appearance disappears instantly allowing me to apply my make up and not need to touch up shiny bits with mattifying powder. The lotion dries quickly and leaves a smooth surface to my skin. My skin feels moisturised but not to the same level as when using a cream for dry skin and looks healthy.

SPF20 is decent enough for the slightly warmer days but I would recommend an additional sun lotion for during the really warm months. I can wear this and feel my skin is being protected but I wouldn't rely on it for wearing on holiday.

I do feel this product is very expensive for what it actually is. It does perform well and leaves my skin shine free throughout the day but I do feel other products are just as good and come with a much cheaper price tag. That being said, a little goes a long way and a 50ml bottle would last for quite some time. I have since used my bottle up but won't be repurchasing due to the price.

Thanks for reading :)