Thread: Matte for Men Complete Face & Head Care Lotion

Intro: I've been dealing with oily, flaky, acne-ridden, combination-type skin for 10ish years now, and I recently discovered that just washing without moisturizing is just as bad for it as not washing at all. So, I started picking up moisturizers. I've been using Matte for Men for at least three months now, and this is what I have to say about it:

Packaging: Bland, but it isn't a designer fragrance so you can't expect too much.

Price: $28 for 2.5 oz, which is a bit on the pricey side

Burn/Bite: None, it is quite soothing.

Moisturising: It does a pretty good job, but the claim that it doesn't clog pores is untrue. I've had quite a string of blackheads recently that coincide with about three months since I started using it (dermatologists say that the affects of a change in your regimen aren't visible for 2-3 months).

Scent: It's unscented in that it doesn't try to smell like anything, but it does have a certain smell to it. It's very peculiar and hard to describe, but it's there. The more you apply, the more you'll smell it, and you'll be able to smell it on yourself pretty much all day, especially when you sweat. Luckily, it seems that only the wearer can smell it, as I've asked those around me before when I thought it smelled particularly strong and they either told me that they didn't smell anything or that they could only smell my cologne, and only that a little bit. Also, it seems to nullify the scent of any after shave or after shave balm already on your face, so if you like your aftershave I'd suggest you put it on your neck as well as your face.

Overall:
Positives - It gives your face a matte finish; it has an spf 25 to protect your skin from the sun and prevent wrinkles and other sun damage; it feels nice after you've shaved, and does even seem to incourage the healing of razor burn.

Negatives- It's pretty thick and doesn't absorb all that quickly; the matte finish won't last all day, especially if you sweat, and since it's so thick you won't want to reapply for fear of blackheads; it does clog pores; it smells kind of funny; it's a little on the pricy side (compare Billy Jealousy Combination Code at $26 for 3.5 oz); and here's the wierdest one: it glows under blacklight. I never took chemistry after 10th grade, so I can't tell you why, but it literally glows glowstick green under blacklight. Avoid (or at least wash your face before) going to dance clubs, bars, haunted houses, or work if you're a CSI, or your face will be bright green.

Conclusion: I'd go with Nivea or Aveeno before I went back. Matte finish on their moisturizers didn't last as long, but they didn't take as much of a toll on my face, wallet, or boogie. I'm trying something else when it runs out.

Can't believe I had a grammar error in the subtitle of my very first review. Bummer.

Just read your review of Matte For Men Lotion. Ive been using it for three years now and after trying a number of other products, I think it is quite simply the best. Its the only one that mositurizes, has SPF and takes away the shine all in one product. The others dont do as much so if you bought three different products to do what this one does...youd spend more money. Also MFM isnt sticky like the others.

I dont find it thick at all and it cetianly has no smell when it dries. I think it does have a light scent when I put it one, but I also think this is due to the spf inside. It goes away very quickly for me. My dermatologist recommended the product to me and Ive never gotten blackheads from it so it must be related to the nature of your skin or the fact that your using aftershave. Finally...the glow you mention. I looked at there website and they actually explain this on the FAQ page...its harmless and since the product is meant for outdoors...Im suspecting most of us arent in a "fun house" wearing it. A small price to pay for a product that works in my opinion.

Im very protective about this product (no pun intended) becuase I feel that they finally developed a men's product that works without forcing me to buy multiple products. I guess your opinion is your opinion...just saying I couuldnt disagree more!

I suppose it is possible that it works for you and not for me. My skin tends to be oily and generally bad, so maybe if your skin is naturally better than mine it would work. All I know is that by about 3 or 4 in the afternoon my forehead starts looking kinda greasy and is certainly not matte.

As for the glow, I read their thing and know it's harmless, but I'm a young guy so I still go out on the weekends. You'd be hard pressed (at least in my town) to find a party, club, or bar that doesn't have at least one blacklight to make you look ridiculous.

I'm getting ready to try Billy Jealousy's Combat Lines and I'll let everyone know how that turns out. It has an spf 30 and advertises a matte finish as well, not to mention that their whole line is award winning. It's more expensive ($10 more dollars for .5 more oz), but since it's a larger brand name it's sold at some online drug and skin stores, so you can find it on sale (got mine 20% off and free shipping so it wound up being cheaper than MFM). But we'll see, I suppose.

Yeah...I think products obvoiusly work differently on different skin. I have to say though...I have recommended the line to my friends and they like it as much as I do. You should defientely try their new organic soap...it seems to work very well on problem skin. Also...I think you are seeing the shine come back late in the day becuase the lotion isnt "waterprrof" which means sweat will eventually win out. I think this is a good thing because MFM isnt sticky (ie "waterproof")...I just re-apply some and all is well.

The glow happens without a lot of sunscreen products as my wife has experienced it with a number of her face lotions...again...for me this sint an issue. While MFM is a newer line...I noticed it is sold at a number of major stores and websites. ..although I order it off their site since they run some great specials.

Ive tried BJ...not a fan. Note that "award-winning" doesnt mean anything until you know the award it won! Having said all this...to each his own and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

ps- one last hing...try MFM antioxidant wash wash...that stuff rocks and may help clear up some of the issues you write about:

Antioxidant Daily Facial Cleanser - Matte For Men

Hmm... I just got my Billy Jealousy stuff today so I guess I'll see. Their cleanser has won awards from Men's Health, which I put some stock in personally as they've always seemed to be right about the things I followed up on. I don't know about the moisturizer yet.

As for applying more, I've done that before and that results in almost immediate giant (up to .75" in diameter), inflamed, red bumps, usually on my forehead. Seriously, the last several times I did that I had at least one honking, excrusiatingly painful zit by the time I washed up for bed.

Although, reflecting, it probably is just my problematic skin that has caused my problems with it. For instance, today I did nothing but go to the post office, watch tv, and play videogames (I'm a college boy on break and there's literally nothing else to do in my podunk home town besides antiquing), and my face was super oily by 2pm. The reason I mentioned Aveeno and Nivea in my review was because I honestly did get better results with their daily face moisturizers. What I notice is that both of those are lighter. It could be that MFM is just too thick for oily skin. Maybe we could say something like:

Works great for dry to moderately oily skin, but not recommended for very oily or problem skin.

Anyways, I suppose that's the virtue of the "average user review" function. Different results for different folks.

True...so true. I love steak...my wife likes hamburgers...