As a card-carrying member of the oily skin club who also writes a blog (this November makes 12 years since I started it—yasss), I find it my duty to report on the moisturizers that are made with us in mind. Especially for those of us living in warmer climates or who live in areas where there are warm seasons. I’ve written a number of reviews on oil control products for oily skin—and one of my faves over the years was the Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15. It was my HG for the summer and kept my oily skin in check. Recently Murad launched the Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (it was sent to me for review consideration) so I decided to give it a whirl and see how it compares to its cousin.
Since the Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 no longer appears on the Murad site, I’d guess that Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 is its replacement. Typically higher SPFs tend to be heavier on oily skin, so my guess is that Murad found a way to make the newer one have a higher SPF (from 15 to 45) while still maintaining the oil-controlling benefits. I’d say they achieved this with the new formula.
While Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45 feels easier to glide on the skin than the SPF 15, it also feels just as weightless and helps to control the oil during the day as the SPF 15. Now of course you’ll still have some oil breakthrough—some is to be expected and the idea is not to completely obliterate the skin of its oils. Because that is actually counterproductive—when you rob the skin of all its oils, it goes into panic mode and produces MORE oil to compensate—so basically you did the most for NAUGHT. (See more things you should NOT do if you have oily skin here and things you need to know about oily skin after 30 here)
In case you were wondering what the PA++ and PA++++ mean, check this out.
I wore the Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45 out quite a bit since getting it and find it to be a nice replacement for the Oil Control Mattifier I’ve been used to. It sinks in immediately, feels like nothing on the skin, and doesn’t look ashy—all things I loved about the SPF 15. I’m happier that the SPF 45 has a slightly higher SPF (difference between an SPF 15 and SPF 45 is about 3-4%) and that the 45 mattifier is broad spectrum (meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays).
If you were wondering how it compares to the Olay Sun Shine Protection SPF 35, outside of ingredients and formulation (the Olay is a sunscreen while the Murad is an SPF moisturizer), I’d say they both do an amazing job of controlling shine and making makeup look good throughout the day. I personally (meaning for making my own decisions) would lean more on the Olay because of the price (about $20 for 1.3 fl oz vs $42 for 1.7 fl oz for the Murad).
I work in a penitentiary and it gets really arid hot here due to the location but Dr Murad’s OC 45 is a weapon I always carry with me. It blocks bad sun vibes and keeps my manly skin moisturized as well as keep the oily situation in custody. No more man downs. Thanks for the outstanding review Ms Gray…I always love you advice.