I’ve been using the MAC Oil Control Lotion for the past few months and was all ready to get my review on for it, when I spotted in Boots’ new range, Your Good Skin, a product called the Anti-Shine Base Lotion I decided that I had to try it and see if the two Oil Control Primers compared because Boots’ own brand was bound to be a cheaper alternative.
My makeup artist at my wedding introduced me to MAC’s Oil Control Lotion, I’d heard of this and never really paid all that much attention to it, presuming it was a moisturiser she used it as a primer on my wedding day (as well as my makeup trial) and my base stayed pretty matte all day so I was curious to get my hands on one of these to try out for myself at home.
MAC’s comes in a travel size which I was tipped off by my MUA was much better so if you are thinking of buying I recommend the ‘sized to go’ version of this over the nicer packaged one with a pump as it is significantly more expensive. Boots’ option is the same price as the MAC’s for reference, although as I’m writing this is it is on an introductory offer for 33% off, but long term these are going to be the same price, but you are more likely to catch the Boots one on a deal at some point.
| MAC Oil Control Lotion (Travel Size) | MAC Oil Control Lotion (Full Size) | YGS Anti-Shine Base Lotion | |
| Bottle Size | 30ml | 50ml | 30ml |
| Price per Bottle | £10.00 | £25.00 | £9.99 |
| Price per ml | £0.33 | £0.50 | £0.33 |
Whilst the Your Good Skin one in theory is a little nicer packaged (in the 30ml sizes atleast), it does have a pump, for a range targeted at 25-35’s I feel personally like the line looks a little dated, and doesn’t look as luxe as what they were probably aiming for. The Botanics revamp, a much cheaper line from Boots’ looks more premium than this new line in my opinion.
Ingredients at a Glance
MAC Oil Control Lotion Ingredients
Spring Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 40, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Apple Fruit Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Quaternium-22, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Ceramide 3, Citric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben
Boots YourGoodSkin Anti-Shine Base Lotion Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Alcohol denat., Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Methyl methacrylate cross-polymer, Dimethicone, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylyl glycol, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Ascorbyl glucoside, Bisabolol, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Sphinganine, Citric acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Camellia sinensis leaf extract.
Matching Ingredients:
Aqua – Water…
Dimethicone – A smoothing silicone
Phenoxyethanol – A preservative for cosmetics
Tocopheryl acetate – Form of Vitamin E
Fragrance – Neither of these have a scent, so I suppose it’s a balancing fragrance for other ingredients
Citric acid – In small amounts effects the pH balance of the skin
The MAC one I’ve been using pretty much as my daily go-to for the past month or so now, I’d used it the odd time a few times when I first bought it but never really paid that much attention to how much of a difference it made. I don’t think alone this creates the smoothest base for makeup – whilst this does contain silicones it doesn’t create the smoothest finish, this is a very thin and liquidy lotion.
The area I get most oily is my T-zone and there’s an incredible difference throughout the day when I’ve used this vs when I don’t. I use this is a first step primer and then layer with something more smoothing that will make my makeup look better, this just helps it last longer. This is going to be a firm favourite for me for years to come and I’m surprised how long this little bottle seems to be lasting, I think because it’s so thin it spreads quite far. 
Your Good Skin is a thicker formula when it comes out of the pump, however it’s the kind of cream which has a high water content and feels very thin on the skin and not like a heavy layer in the slightest – I’m definitely using more ml per use with this over MAC’s, the lotion doesn’t spread as far and sinks into the skin much quicker. Sadly it’s not very effective for me as an oil controller, with or without another primer this just doesn’t deliver and I see myself getting much oilier no slower than I would do without it. My T-Zone feels pretty oily by midday and by mid-afternoon the shine starts visibly.
Sadly this just doesn’t leave me impressed in the slightest, I’ve used this every day for two weeks hoping that I’d maybe see a gradual improvement but there’s been no change in performance, I’m now itching to get back to my new MAC favourite.
I’ve heard Soap and Glory do a similar Oil Control Primers to this which I’m tempted to try when I run out of MAC’s – I’m not sure whether I’ll continue to use the Anti Shine Lotion one up, especially under makeup although I may be tempted to keep it aside for next summer to see if it fares better on warm no makeup days.
If you suffer with oily skin and have some recommendations of similar Oil Control Primers or potions please let me know in the comments!
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Oh my gosh, how have I not tried that Mac lotion?? It sounds like all my wishes in one little tube!!!! My sweaty Bangkok face will never have known matte like it! x
I wish I’d had used this when we were in KL! Definitely worth a try!
I actually haven’t used any of these before, thanks for sharing
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Never heard of this brand before! Not sure I’m a fan of the packaging! Definitely want to try Mac’s though! Xxx
Just launched in Boot’s in the past month, the packaging is a big turn off for me, I did get the mask to try from the range but haven’t had a chance to properly try it yet.
MAC’s is worth a try – may be a help in the humidity of KL!x
Macs lotion sounds great. I’ve not seen this but as I get shiny skin, this could help xx
Definitely worth a try! x
I sometimes use the Murad Oil Control Mattifier (I have a travel size I got on a kit) as a primer in my oily areas and it works pretty well.
I like the Make Up For Ever Step 2 mattifying primer a lot as well (since I only use it on my t-zone, a travel size can last me close to 6 months). Soap & Glory’s One Heck of a Blot primer is good too.
Lately I’ve been loving the Cane + Austin mattifying primer but it’s SUPER expensive $56 US). And the closest Sephora to me that carries it is almost 100 miles away in Orlando! The sample I got in July is almost done. I need to go back for another soon.
I think that S&G one is the one which I’ve heard about. I’ve never heard of Cane and Austin, not sure if we can get it here! If anything makes me completely matte all day I’d be willing to fork out for it! I’m placing a Sephora order soon so I may see if they have any kits for Christmas etc containing it! x
Your review sounds amazing! I definitely have to try that MAC product. Have a great day
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
I need to give a go to this MAC product