A Minimalist's Take on Skincare

When it comes to my skin-care routine, I'm a minimalist through and through. When I first got into beauty, I was all about having a multistep routine. Initially, I thought the more products, the better. After plenty of trial and error (and lots of pimples and rashes), I learned I was very wrong. These days, I'm all about a streamlined three- or four-step process — nothing that takes more than four minutes to complete.

The Struggle for the Perfect Moisturizer

I have dry, acne-prone skin, and moisturizer is always one of the toughest products for me to test. I need something thick and hydrating that will get rid of flaky patches, but anything too rich clogs my pores and leaves me with acne, or worse: some kind of weird skin issue. For that reason, when I find a moisturizer I like, I stick with it. For, like, years. I honestly despise trying anything new because, frankly, I don't want to f*ck my skin up. That being said, when two of my editor friends told me about the Matter of Fact Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer ($72) and couldn't shut up about how good it was, I decided to try it out for myself.

About the Matter of Fact Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer

Matter of Fact's Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer is a rich cream that hydrates skin and addresses dullness, as well as uneven tone and texture. The key skin-care ingredients include a four percent peptide and hyaluronic acid blend to hydrate and smooth skin, niacinamide to brighten, hexylresorcinol to lighten dark spots, and bakuchiol, a retinol alternative, to decrease the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It's formulated for normal, dry, and combination skin types. It comes in one size: 50 milliliters, or 1.6 fluid ounces. It's vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free.

My Experience with the Matter of Fact Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer

This is the first skin-care product I've ever tested with bakuchiol as a main ingredient, and I was surprised by how much my skin loved it. I've been steering away from topical retinol lately, and not only is bakuchiol considered a great alternative, but it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Initially I was nervous that my skin would find using this moisturizer every day irritating, but it actually had the opposite effect. My skin has never looked better.

In addition to being dry, my skin is acne-prone. If it doesn't like a product, it tells me immediately, usually in the form of acne or contact dermatitis. This moisturizer didn't cause any breakouts or other skin concerns, and although it's thick and hydrating, it doesn't leave a greasy residue behind or feel too heavy.

I haven't noticed my hyperpigmentation lightening or my fine lines and wrinkles going away just yet, but I'm honestly happy with the results so far, which is enough to get me to permanently add this product to my routine.

How to Use the Matter of Fact Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer

Matter of Fact recommends using this moisturizer once or twice a day, in the morning and/or at night. The brand also says it can be applied before or after serums.

I use this product in the morning and at night. I start by cleansing my skin with a gentle face wash (my current favorite is the Rhode Pineapple Refresh), then go in with a vitamin C serum. After that, I follow up with the Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer. I use just one pump, which is enough to cover my entire face and neck. Then I finish everything off with SPF.

What to Consider Before Trying the Matter of Fact Maximalist Age-Defying Moisturizer

This moisturizer is rich, which means it's thick and ultra-hydrating. My skin is extremely dry, so this product is perfect for me, but if you have oily skin, I'd suggest testing out a sample before committing to the full-sized product since it's on the pricey side at $72. This moisturizer leaves my skin looking glowy, but if you're already dealing with an oily sheen, you might want to look for something different.

Rating: 5/5