If you’d take a peek into the makeup kits of any big name makeup artist or model, chances are you’d find a tube of Embryolisse moisturizer. This industry favourite has been making waves since it was created in 1950 by a French dermatologist. Now, more than 65 years later I was bound to find out its secrets. Or at least those of its successor for normal to combination skins: the Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion.
One thing Embryolisse really got down is to not fill our heads with promises (they can’t keep). Many brands will stack up promises until there is no more space left on the packaging, which can often lead to disappointment for its users. The Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion keeps it simple and promises only 2 things: 1) moisturize and 2) stay matte. It was specifically formulated for normal to mixed skin types (aka my skin) and is enriched with apricot oil to tone and boost the skin, and also contains antioxidant vitamin E. Biosaccharide derived from sugar acts like a micro-sponge to help moisturize the skin while a natural derivative of corn starch absorbs excess sebum and reduces shininess.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyl, Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Polymethylmetacrylate, Corn Starch Modified, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopentyldiol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Fragrance, Edta, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tropolone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxyide.
The Embryolysse Hydra-Mat Emulsion has a cool gel-like texture that neither feels too oily or too dry when applied. Instead, it leaves the skin quite soft and prepped for makeup. You can use it as a moisturizer or as a primer before applying your base. It definitely tones any shininess around my t-zone down and balances it out with the rest of my face. I actually prefer to use this as a primer on my oily zone alone.
Does it stay matte all day? Unfortunately not. After a good 4-6 hours (which is actually good during summer for me), some oils do surface, but nothing a blotting paper can’t handle. Overall I’d say this is an ok moisturizer for the price, but an even better primer. I wouldn’t pay over € 20 for this though, so scoop one up when you’re in France, because the $40 price tag in the US is just ridiculous. If you’re on the oily side and you want to get really matte, try the La Roche-Poday Effaclar Mat instead. I might try out the original Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre next.
Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion (40 ml) – € 25,50 / £ 22 / $ 40
Available at the pharmacy, Embryolisse website, Sephora,..
Disclaimer: Product was purchased.
REALLY oily gal here. So I guess I should look at LRP first.