Today, I have a review on the Verikos Ultra Matte Velvet Primer*, which is something I got from my bntgirls beauty box. It claims to cover pores and control sebum (oil), like a usual primer would.

Product Description: “Porous powder gives light and silky texture while absorbing excessive sebum from the skin to balance the moisture and oil of the skin. The oil-free primer tones the skin texture and corrects the skin tone without causing irritation Tocophery lacetate and Retinyl Palmitate removes harmful free radicals from the skin for healthier skin tone. Also, GLA from evening primrose oil and polyphenol from the green tea seed oil helps to protect the skin.”

Pretty lofty claims, if you ask me! Let’s see how well it fares.

First of all, this primer is not like the primers I’ve used in the past. It’s not very silicone-y and I was a little worried that it would feel heavy on the skin. However, if you work it into your skin well, it eventually sets to a velvety finish. There is also a slight tint to it, but it dries down transparent.

One thing, I feel, I should note as well is that it’s a 6-Free Formula, which means that it has no paraben, talc, artificial dyes, synthetic perfume, mineral oil, or alcohol. These are six major ingredients that are known to be harmful for the skin, and the elimination of which will help solve primary skin issues.

Now to the meat of the review! Here is a large photo of my face. I applied the primer on only one side of my face (as indicated on the photograph), and layered on the Graymelin CC Base Cream over my entire face as a base. I did this to compare sebum control, mostly.

As you can tell from the photograph, it’s pretty undetectable, which leads me to believe that it does little to obscure pores. I do think that maybe a heavier coverage foundation may make the difference more pronounced. There is no difference in ease of application of product over it.

Sebum Control System: “It contains a lot of sebum control powder to effectively control sebum and, therefore, helping the makeup stay put for a long time for you to maintain refreshed look until the afternoon.”

While I didn’t feel like it particularly help extend the longevity of my makeup’s wear (unlike how I feel about setting sprays, which are amazing!), it didn’t lessen the longevity of the makeup. I don’t have oily skin (more dry, really), so I can’t say I oiled up more on one side, but my makeup was intact by the end of the day, without powder, so I suppose that counts for something.

It also asserts that it contains Vitamin A & E, which it claims to help remove harmful free radicals, and also help to clarify skin, retain the skin’s moisture, and make it healthy.

All in all, I don’t particularly think it’s a necessary step in your routine, especially if you have mostly dry skin, like me. However, I do want to keep using it because of all the skin care benefits it claims to have. So far, I haven’t noticed anything different, but once I do, I’ll be sure to let you all know. 🙂

* This product was provided to me, free of charge, for review. All opinions are honest, unbiased, and my own. 🙂

I have no information regarding Verikos’s animal testing policy.

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