Bulldog Oil Control Moisturiser Review – For Bald Heads, Too!
Bulldog Oil Control Moisturiser
Oil Control Moisturiser made by Bulldog aims to moisturize, soothe, and provide a mattifying effect. It did all of these very well, and I was impressed, but some guys with very dry skin might need a stronger moisturiser.
Pros
Very good at reducing oily skin
A mild moisturiser that's not greasy
A good mattifying effect to reduce bald head shine
Nice, mild and refreshing woodsy scent
Very good price point
Soothes any soreness after shaving
Cons
It may not be best suited for very dry skin
The Oil Control Moisturiser made by Bulldog was one of those cheaper cosmetic products that I expected not to be that good.
Again, I was proven wrong, as I have been in the past with some of these big brand products. It’s a very good moisturiser that does what Bulldog says it should, including mattifying and keeping oils under some kind of control.
I’ve been using and reviewing a number of moisturisers that are suitable for my balding bonce and started to turn to some that are not designed primarily for bald heads and don’t come from a brand that is all about the no hair look (like Bee Bald or Bald Brothers). It opened the door to many creams to try that are just as suited for the balding gent or even better than some.
While it has some great points, it’s not going to be best suited for every bloke who requires a moisturiser as some may need more oils.
Features and Description
The Oil Control Moisturiser is just that, designed to reduce oily skin or control it while moisturising. It is also supposed to mattify, which is important for some of us guys that dont want to show off a shine.
The product description says nothing about applying it on bald heads, but that’s my main reason for testing and reviewing it. If it’s good for the face, then most products are good for the head.
The tube is stubby and fat with a standard pop cap design. We get 100ml/3.3fl-oz of cream, which is similar to some others, while others may come in a 150ml/5fl-oz tube.
Ingredients
If you are looking for the free-from, etc., marketing stuff, then Bulldog states it is vegan-approved; the fragrance is 100% natural, and 95% of natural origin ingredients are used.
Here’s a list of the important ingredients and their functions:
- Aqua (Water): Solvent; forms the base of the product.
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Emollient; provides a smooth feel and helps with spreadability.
- Tapioca Starch: Absorbent; helps control shine and provides a matte finish.
- Glycerin: Humectant; attracts moisture to the skin.
- Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water: Astringent; helps to tighten pores and soothe the skin.
- Sodium Polyacrylate: Thickener; enhances product texture and stability.
- Pentaerythrityl Distearate: Emulsifier; helps blend oil and water components.
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative; prevents microbial growth.
- Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate: Emulsifier; stabilizes product formulation.
- Carbomer: Thickening agent; increases viscosity.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): Antioxidant; protects skin from damage and supports skin health.
- Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract: Exfoliant; contains salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation and skin soothing.
- Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Extract: Antimicrobial; helps purify and refresh the skin.
Other ingredients like alcohol, fragrance components (Limonene, Linalool), and preservatives (Dehydroacetic acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate) are important for formulation stability and sensory aspects. Still, they are secondary to the main ingredients listed above.
Here’s an overview of potential concerns for the listed ingredients:
- Alcohol: Can be drying or irritating, especially for sensitive skin types.
- Phenoxyethanol: Generally considered safe, but can cause irritation in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.
- Fragrance (Parfum): May cause allergic reactions or irritation in sensitive skin; fragrance components like Limonene and Linalool are potential allergens.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Can be irritating if used in high concentrations; typically used to adjust pH.
- Carbomer: Generally safe, but can cause irritation in some formulations if not properly neutralized.
Most other ingredients are generally regarded as safe for topical use. However, individual reactions can vary based on skin type and sensitivities. Always conduct a patch test if trying a new product!
You can see any ingredients in the full official list below if you are sensitive to any of them.
Aqua (Water), C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Tapioca starch, Glycerin, Sorbitan stearate, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel) Water, Sodium polyacrylate, Pentaerythrityl distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Alcohol, Carbomer, Benzoic acid, Parfum (Fragrance)**, Tocopheryl acetate, Dehydroacetic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Salix alba (Willow) bark extract, Limonene, Linalool, Juniperus communis fruit extract, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate.
Scent
I really like the subtle scent, and it’s better than a few other creams I have used.
It has a fresh, mild, woodsy smell to it, and there is a tea tree oil type of scent. Well, that’s what my nostrils tell them anyway!
Using The Cream
I did use the cream on my face a couple of times. However, the main purpose for using it was to see what it was like after shaving my head and as a moisturiser for the head that can mattify.
For my head, I used an amount the size of a large almond, which is not a lot. I did add some extra on most occasions, but still not a lot.
The texture is quite runny and not a hard type of cream.
Over the three weeks of testing this cream, I also tested and used an electric head shaver (Manscaped Dome Pro), and the shaver, on the first few uses, left a little soreness. The cream relieved that soreness very quick, which could be due to the witch hazel.
The mattifying effect was very good and one of the best I have used. The effect lasted for many hours as well.
It absolutely felt and looked like it did what it should. My skin was soothed, mattified, and looked less oily.
I have taken photos before and after applying it on my head, but it is very difficult to see any difference as I was not shiny to start with.
While it does moisturise, it may not be enough for guys with dry skin. Very dry skin will need something that provides more oils rather than reduction.
I did use it on my face after shaving on a few occasions, and it was a good kind of after-shave balm, which kept my skin less oily while soothing it.
Value For Money
We get our money’s worth with this stuff, or at least I have.
In the US, a tube costs around $7, and I bought a tube on Amazon for under a fiver (less than £5).
Basically, it’s a bargain product!
If you like the cream, then you can buy them in two or multipack to save money the next time you make a purchase.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)
You can see the verdict, as said above, but in short, it is great stuff.
Very good at mattifying and soothing the skin while moisturising mildly. Now, this is great for someone like me who has quite oily skin and likes that matte effect, but it might not be the best for guys with dry skin.
If you shave your head frequently like me, then you might enjoy the soothing feeling after applying the Oil Control Moisturiser by Bulldog.
Sometimes, these big brands do have a great product at a very good price point.
