Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer Review

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer ($29.50) is busy getting mixed reviews so, I thought I’d share my thoughts on this hybrid moisturizer slash face primer. Yup, that’s exactly what this is! Clinique combines a lightweight moisturizer with a facial primer to provide all day hydration as well as oil control with a matte finish that blurs the appearances of pores and imperfections for a flawless finish.

Sounds interesting?

It is!

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer quite reminds me a bit of L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream. This is a cross between a moisturizer and a primer all-in-one. The formula is a hybrid moisturizer that acts to hydrate but at the same also sets to a matte finish that fills and blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines resulting in a smoother, more flawless finish.

This a contrasting formula that I felt sure wouldn’t work for my dry skin. But Clinique does market it for all skin types and hey, I was curious enough to try it. I like it, a lot. But it does require a little doctoring to use. Many of the reviews I read expressed how much it pilled on drier skin. A little goes a very long way in my experience which means I use moisturizer before applying it. Although it is supposed to act as a moisturizer of sorts, which it does well enough for Summer weather, there isn’t enough hydration here for drier skin especially when Winter sets in. In that case, I would recommend applying your normal skin care and before you apply your foundation apply a smidge of this and smooth it on gently. Right now my skin is behaving itself so, I’m not terribly dry and I can use this as a moisturizer should I like. But I still apply a lightweight moisturizer before it regardless. I feel if you apply to much you will run into the pilling issue so, a little does go a long way.

As a moisturizer it provides very light hydration. If you have combination or oily skin that moisture will be plenty enough to get you through the day. I used it as a lightweight moisturizer and I was quite alright with it. I didn’t feel dry or tight! It felt pleasantly hydrating through the wear plus it provided an excellent base for my foundation to adhere to. I don’t have visible pores but this has a knack for creating a very smooth surface on skin. I think the results are very visible once you apply foundation over it. Your skin appears smoother and if you have visible pores you’ll feel like it does a good job creating a base between your skin and foundation that makes your foundation look smoother which results in your pores appearing smaller or even less visible. I wouldn’t call the finish completely matte. If anything it has a velvety demi-matte finish. If you have super oily skin I think it might struggle a little mattifying shine and oil. However, if you’re like me and suffer a bit of shine it’ll do a good job curbing that.

I just felt my makeup looked smoother and more airbrushed when I was wearing this under it!

The actual formula is very creamy and feels like a cross between a lightweight moisturizer and a dimethicone-based primer. Think of a bit of a thicker, creamer version of Benefit POREfessional! It has absolutely no fragrance which is a plus for sensitive users. Speaking of sensitive! I kind of avoid silicone primers as they tend to make me a little itchy. Plus, hey, dry skin isn’t exactly a good candidate for such a formula. But I honestly had no issues with this making me itchy or feeling too heavy. It was very light and comfortable to wear.

I think the idea of Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is a good one. I thought my makeup looked good when I wore this under it!

It’s well worth trying out!

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is available now at Clinique counters or online at Sephora.com. Don’t feel like dishing out $29.50 for a large size? Try the sample size for $15 which also includes a 1 oz size of the new Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser that’s available at Sephora.com as well!