Is Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Shine Any Good For Bald Heads?
Loreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Shine Moisturizer
The Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Shine Moisturizer had a pleasant scent and reduced scalp dryness while also mattifying my head for at least a few hours. I could easily do without the cooling effect, even though that was felt on the face and not very much on my head.
Pros
An easy-to-use top cap that locks for travel purposes
It reduces shine and seemed to for a few hours after applying
A small amount goes a long way
It had no greasy effect left after or while using it
It reduced scalp dryness
The scent is fresh and not overpowering
Cons
The ingredients list is not very free from friendly
I don't like the cooling effect much, but that was felt only on the face. Other may want this effect
One of my latest and ongoing men’s grooming product testing campaigns is finding good moisturizers for bald heads that can possibly reduce shine.
While Loreal states this gel -Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue is for applying to the face and neck, I was sure it would be fine for my balding head, too.
Unlike other moisturizers I have tested and reviewed previously, like the Bee Bald Smooth Daily Moisturizer and Headblade HeadLube Matte Moisturizing Lotion–it’s not primarily promoted for bald heads. Still, I would not let that put you off, and if it’s supposedly good for the face, then it should be good for the head.
I did try this out on my face; however, I don’t generally use face moisturizer. As it supposedly works well on tired oily skin (mine can be oily), I tried it on my face. I mainly wanted to see how this would work as a head moisturizer and if its mattifying effect worked, though.
Features and Description
As Loreal is a big brand, they know how to push the marketing spiel. Things like Air-Gel Technology and Hydra Energetic, Tested Under Dermatological Control, and Anti-Shine Quenching Gel are some of the wordings found on the box and bottle.
Basically, it’s a type of cooling gel that moisturizes and hydrates the skin and can also reduce shine.
The push cap design, which can also lock, is a nice feature, and it works well when only needing to squirt a little out of the bottle. The lock is going to be useful for those who travel.
Ingredients
I do not see anything on the box or website ticking any of the cruelty-free, free-from, and not tested-on-animals (this is something Loreal does not do now, apart from China–as their law requests animal testing) boxes.
As the gel provides a cooling effect, my guess is this comes primarily from the peppermint leaf extract.
Dimethicone is a common moisturizing ingredient, and Isononyl Isononoate is an emollient skin-softening agent. Carbomer is one of the ingredients that create a gel effect, and the caffeine included is said to promote reducing wrinkles and has various beneficial properties like antioxidants.
Im not going to go into detail about all the ingredients. However, it is worth mentioning that the gel also contains parfum, which could be an irritant for some users, and other ingredients might not be suitable for some men with sensitivities.
Aqua / Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Det., Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononoate, Mentha Piperita Extract /Peppermint Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Caffeine, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica Silylate, Maris Aqua / Sea Water, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccite, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5, Ci 42090 / Blue 1, Lilool, Parfum / Fragrance. (FIL B54683/1).
Scent
Loreal does not state what the scent is. I get a fresh perfumy fragrance, which I can’t identify as a certain scent, but it kind of smells like an antiperspirant/deodrant spray.
When I used it on my face, I could smell the scent, but not much when I applied it on my head. The scent soon wears off after applying it.
Using Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Shine
I used the energetic stuff from Loreal for just over 2 weeks and applied it on my head most days. I only used it on my face three times.
I made sure I shaved my head and showered first on a few occasions to get a good shine going.
I found I only needed to use a small amount. A little goes a long way, as they say! The push top was easy to use without any dribbles coming out after using it.
When applied to my head, I did not feel the cooling feeling, unlike when I applied it to my face. I can’t say I liked having the cooling feeling on my face anyway, but other guys might like it, and it’s not extreme.
Here are some of the effects the gel had and did not have on my skin:
- It did reduce the dryness on my head after showering, and that stayed with me for the day.
- The matte effect or shine reduction was apparent as soon as I applied it, which is standard for most moisturizers. It did keep my skin dimmed down for many hours after.
- I’m not sure about the anti-fatigue aspect or how I even measure that!
- My skin was possibly less oily for longer. It seemed to be, but I cannot vouch for that 100%.
The gel is non-greasy when applied, as stated by Loreal.
You can see in the before and after photos below how it mattifies the head (it is very hard to see any difference). I would keep in mind that all moisturizing creams will initially mattify somewhat.
Value For Money
The Men Expert Hydra Energetic Gel costs around $13 (USD), £11 (GBP, or €9 (EU). When comparing with others, I would say the price is fair, but keep your eye open for price reductions in-store and offline.
The 50ml/1.69 Fl Oz will last for weeks even when using it daily.
Final Thoughts – Verdict
I quite liked the fresh scent, and it reduced the shine, which seemed to last. The non-messy lock cap was worth noting, as some do leak out of the tubes and get a bit messy.
It had a better mattifying effect than the last product I used and reviewed, which was Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Moisturizer.
If you like the idea of having the cooling effect, then this gel ticks that box for you.
It’s not as mattifying as Zero Shine by DermiMatch, but nothing has beat that as yet, and most won’t–I think–as that Zero Shine stuff mattes the heck out of my balding bonce rooftop.
The bottom line–it’s one to consider if those ingredients are all okay for your skin type.
