STEP 8 OF 9 IN THE CLARITY RITUAL

The Mattifier : Zinc Oil-Control Gel

zinc oil-control gel moisturiser

A lightweight, oil-free gel that delivers hydration to oily and blemish-prone skin, leaves a fresh finish within seconds, and helps keep surface shine in check.

4.6 (15 reflections)
€50
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Made fresh once you order
  • Dispatched within 2 working days
  • Free EU shipping over 90 €

Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.

On the skin

What this bottle brings

  • 01

    Hydrates oily skin without added shine

  • 02

    Absorbs fast to a fresh finish

  • 03

    Supports balanced, less shiny-looking skin

The Mattifier : Zinc Oil-Control Gel

Why this exists

Oily and blemish-prone skin is often told to do less, skip moisturiser, and rely on mattifying products alone. That approach overlooks a common surface pattern: when skin lacks enough water in its upper layers, it can respond by producing more sebum, which shows up as extra shine. This gel is formulated to address that imbalance directly, providing moisture without an added lipid layer. Zinc PCA sits at the centre of the formula because it contributes both humectant support and sebum-regulating action, while aloe juice, hyaluronic acid, and humectants help maintain a comfortable water level at the surface. The result is hydration designed for skin that wants lightness, not weight, and balance rather than blanket occlusion.

Inside the bottle

The key actives

01

Zinc PCA

Zinc PCA

Contributes humectant support while helping to regulate surface sebum for a more balanced finish.

02

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Provides a light, polysaccharide-rich base that feels fresh on skin without adding heaviness.

03

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Binds surface moisture to keep oily skin feeling comfortable without a lipid layer.

04

Watercress Extract

Nasturtium Officinale Flower and Leaf Extract

Adds antioxidant and purifying support within the hydration-focused gel structure.

05

Rhamnose-Glucose-Glucuronic Acid Complex

Rhamnose · Glucose · Glucuronic Acid

Supports natural moisture retention pathways for a smoother, more resilient surface feel.

On the skin

Completely liquid-gel on the fingertip. It spreads easily and disappears into the skin in under twenty seconds. The finish is clean, fresh, and non-greasy, with no film or added shine.
The Mattifier€50

Where this sits

Your place in The Clarity Ritual

From first cleanse to final seal, this is step 8 of 9 in the full Clarity Ritual : the lightweight moisturiser that balances oily skin without weight.

  1. Step 1The Clean Slate Blemish Purifying Face Wash
  2. Step 2The Purify Salicylic Purifying Toner
  3. Step 3The Draw Purifying Pore Clay Mask
  4. Step 4The Balance Oil-Free Hydrating Gel
  5. Step 5The Clarity Pigment Perfecting Serum
  6. Step 6The Eraser Targeted Dark Spot Treatment, 1% Kojic
  7. Step 7The Spot Targeted Blemish Concentrate
  8. Step 8The Mattifier Zinc Oil-Control GelYou are here
  9. Step 9The Restore Blemish Care Moisturiser

Build it as a ritual

Build yourClarity Ritual

Add the steps you don't already use. Your bag updates in real time. Rewards apply at checkout, automatically.

The Clean Slate Blemish Purifying Face Wash

€40

The Purify Salicylic Purifying Toner

€35

The Draw Purifying Pore Clay Mask

€50

The Balance Oil-Free Hydrating Gel

€50

The Clarity Pigment Perfecting Serum

€45

The Eraser Targeted Dark Spot Treatment, 1% Kojic

€40

The Spot Targeted Blemish Concentrate

€40

The Mattifier Zinc Oil-Control Gel

€50

The Restore Blemish Care Moisturiser

€40

Complete the ritual. Qualifying orders enjoy Complimentary Shipping, a Complimentary Candle and 10% OVESSI Reward.

Selected ritual subtotal €0
Estimated checkout total Includes The Clarity. €0

Rewards apply automatically at checkout. Complimentary Shipping over €90. Final price calculated by Shopify at checkout.

The application

How to layer this

  1. 1

    Cleanse first

    Apply to clean skin after cleansing, morning and night. Use it as the moisturising step in your ritual before SPF in the daytime.

  2. 2

    Layer lightly

    Smooth a small amount over the face and allow it to settle. It is designed to give hydration without the feeling of a heavy cream.

  3. 3

    Follow with SPF

    In the morning, finish with your SPF after the gel has absorbed. At night, it can stand alone or sit beneath a richer step if you prefer more comfort.

What to expect

On the skin, over time

  1. Day 1

    The gel feels cool and light on application, then disappears quickly. The surface reads refreshed and balanced rather than coated.

  2. Week 1

    Midday shine may feel less pronounced, with a more consistent surface feel through the afternoon. Skin should still feel comfortable, not stripped.

  3. Week 4

    The skin can feel more stable overall, with less frequent excess shine and a clearer sense of balance. Hydration feels easier to maintain without heaviness.

The deeper detail

The formulation, the provenance, the standard

Formulation

The base is Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, organically sourced, which provides an anti-inflammatory, polysaccharide-rich carrier in place of a simple water phase. The gel structure is created by Sclerotium Gum, which delivers a smooth, non-sticky film and provides moisture-retention function without adding any occlusive weight.

Zinc PCA is the regulating active. As the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, it combines the sebum-balancing properties of ionic zinc with the NMF-replenishing function of PCA. Sodium Hyaluronate binds surface moisture and delivers the smooth, comfortable skin feel that oily skin often loses when it avoids richer creams. The Rhamnose-Glucose-Glucuronic Acid complex mirrors the skin's own hyaluronic acid synthesis pathway, supporting natural moisture retention at a structural level.

Nasturtium Officinale Flower and Leaf Extract (Watercress, organically sourced) contributes glucosinolate-derived antioxidant and purifying activity; its position in the INCI confirms it is present at a meaningful level. Glycerin and Betaine provide the humectant layer, while Propanediol and Butylene Glycol ensure the gel distributes evenly and absorbs without drag. The fragrance is light and fresh: citrus and floral notes from natural essential oils declared in full in the INCI.

Provenance

A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.

Cruelty-free. Vegan. Gluten free. Natural certified (Ecocert COSMOS Natural).

From our community

Reviews and reflections

4.6
Based on 15 reflections
  • 10
  • 4
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Verified

    stays matte all day

    Keeps my face matte all day.

    Daisy R. Nottingham · Oily · 18-24 · 29 Apr 2026
  • Verified

    alright but not enough

    The gel texture is nice and I get why oily skin would love it, but on my drier cheeks it's not cushioning enough for evening. Fine under SPF though. Works better in warmer weather than winter for me, so I'd say it's more of a summer thing.

    Maeve O. Bath · Acne-prone · 35-44 · 17 Feb 2026
  • proper help in humidity

    In Singapore humidity this has been brilliant. The gel spreads easily, keeps me hydrated without that extra gloss I hate. Under SPF it behaves well and keeps my combination skin looking more even through the afternoon.

    Marta E. Atlanta GA · Sensitive · 55+ · 12 Jan 2026
  • Verified

    my weekday fix

    I reach for this before work because it suits my forehead which turns shiny by lunchtime. Feels fresher than a basic gel and the finish is neatly matte without looking flat. The aloe and watercress are a nice touch. Only thing I'd change is a slightly bigger bottle tbh.

    Josiah J. San Diego CA · Mature · 55+ · 3 Dec 2025
  • Verified

    Yes

    Gives enough moisture and keeps my skin looking tidy. I used it under sunscreen on a humid morning and my forehead stayed less shiny by lunch, though the gel feels a bit tacky at first.

    Olivia R. Atlanta GA · Mature · 25-34 · 29 Oct 2025
  • Verified

    Gloss under control

    Ordered after a bit of hunting, it keeps the shine down evenly and still feels comfy on the skin.

    Eleanor E. Bath · Mature · 35-44 · 17 Oct 2025
  • Verified

    calm clear finish

    Very light, disappears fast, leaves a fresh surface. Hydrates without that clogged feeling I get from heavier creams. As someone with blemish-prone skin I appreciate that it works and doesn't mess with my SPF.

    Eleanor I. Sheffield · Acne-prone · 25-34 · 7 Oct 2025
  • good daytime gel

    Hydrates without any shine. I can layer it with SPF no problem. Price is bit steep for 50ml though.

    Ian N. Seattle WA · Mature · 55+ · 4 Oct 2025
  • Lasts ages on skin

    Lasts ages on my forehead, keeping shine down properly for hours under moisturiser.

    Tahira P. Newcastle · Mature · 45-54 · 19 Sep 2025
  • Verified

    deffo recommend

    Keeps midday shine calmer, clean finish.

    Mia L. Brighton · Combination · 45-54 · 2 Aug 2025
  • Verified

    lasts ages

    A pea-sized amount covers my whole face and it keeps shine down through most of the day. I use it after moisturiser and the gel feels a bit tacky at first but settles well.

    Rachel D. Los Angeles CA · Combination · 35-44 · 18 Jul 2025
  • Lasts longer on cheeks

    This gel keeps cheeks shine-free for hours and feels comfortable, though I did expect a bit more product.

    Rose P. Edinburgh · Sensitive · 25-34 · 20 May 2025
  • Verified

    right in the middle

    I usually end up choosing between shine and tightness. This sits right, comfort without extra sheen. Good under makeup.

    Brady A. Portland OR · Combination · 25-34 · 22 Mar 2025
  • surprisingly elegant

    Expected something functional and dull but this feels more polished. Disappears quickly, no shine, sits neatly under sunscreen. For a gel aimed at blemish-prone skin it's more refined than I thought.

    August E. San Diego CA · Oily · 25-34 · 15 Feb 2025
  • fresh not sticky

    Completely liquid-gel, easy to spread. Feels cool then leaves a fresh surface with no film. Citrus scent fades quickly which i like.

    Anwar W. Manchester · Combination · 25-34 · 4 Jan 2025
The Mattifier€50

Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.

  • Made fresh
  • 2-day dispatch
  • UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days

In case you wondered

Frequently asked

Is this suitable for oily skin?
Yes. It is formulated specifically as an oil-free gel for oily and combination skin that wants hydration without added shine.
Will this feel heavy or greasy?
No. The texture is designed to absorb quickly and leave a fresh, clean finish with no film.
Can I use it under SPF?
Yes. Apply it after cleansing and before your SPF in the morning once it has absorbed.
Can I use this at night as well?
Yes. It works in both morning and night rituals, especially if you prefer a light moisturising step.
Does it replace a moisturiser?
It is a moisturising gel, but a very lightweight one. If your skin feels dehydrated or you want more comfort, you can layer a richer product on top at night.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
The Mattifier€50

Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.

Vegan · Cruelty-free · Full INCI on every product · hello@ovessi.com