MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment Review

MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment has to offer:
 
  • Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment:
 

Very Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, due to the high content of Squalane (est. ≈50.0%) and Tocopherol (est. ≈3.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate (est. ≈6.0%), Bakuchiol (est. ≈4.0%), Tocopherol (est. ≈3.0%), and others.

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment to your skincare routine:
 

Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It’s Better When Paired with Some Humectants

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Bakuchiol, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Bakuchiol provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that Bakuchiol may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of MATTER OF FACT Barrier + Antioxidant Treatment to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution

Cons: 

  • May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
  • Ideally needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
22
11
6
4
3
2
Est. %
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Cholesterol
Function:
Origin:
Isododecane
Function:
Origin:
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Function:
Origin:
Bakuchiol
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
53.0
50.0
3.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 53.0 20
10.0
50.0
3.0
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
50
3
All occlusives 53.0 20
10.0
All occlusives
53.0
50.0
3.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 4 -
Total
0
Bakuchiol
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
4
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
6
4
3
2
All antioxidants 15 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
15
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
6
Bakuchiol
4
Tocopherol
3
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
2
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
All soothing 2 5 No
All soothing
2
2
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Squalane
Est. %50
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Cholesterol
Est. %22
Function
Origin
CholesterolAn emollient and important barrier repairing lipid, effective when combined with fatty acids and ceramides. Around 25% of the skin’s lipid layer is made up of cholesterol and it is found in the membrane of every single cell in our body.
Isododecane
Est. %11
Function
Origin
IsododecaneAn emollient derived from petroleum with high spreadability. It is often used as a replacement for oils and silicones because it leaves no residue behind on the skin. When a product is labeled as “oil-free” it may contain isododecane instead of heavier oils.
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Bakuchiol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
BakuchiolA newly discovered bioactive obtained from the seeds of Babchi. It boosts collagen production like retinol, but with fewer side effects. Its effects include reduced wrinkles and faded pigmentation.
Tocopherol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root ExtractAn extract derived from the thick roots of curcuma (turmeric), a famous yellow spice and a major ingredient in curry powder. It is used in skincare for its proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.