MUA Pro Base Softening Facial Oil Stick

MUA launched a whole range of base products recently including concealers, powders, primers and setting sprays within their ‘Pro Base‘ collection. I got one of the concealers, a couple of the powders and the MUA Pro Base Softening Facial Oil Stick as it’s so unlike anything else I’ve tried before. Milk Makeup were the first mainstream brand that created chunky makeup and skincare products in a twist up format.

I’ve never tried anything from Milk Makeup before as it’s difficult for us to get our hands on their products here in the UK, especially now Sephora US no longer ships to the UK so the MUA sticks really appealed to me although Cult Beauty have recently launched Milk on their website. MUA have four different ‘Balm Sticks’ – Smooth, Set & Prime, Soothe & Cool, Makeup Remover and lastly the Softening Facial Oil Stick; all of which are £5 each.

“Solid facial oil: this primer oil is perfect at adding instant hydration to your complexion. apply after cleansing morning and evening for a soft and smooth complexion. For best results, use finger tips to work product into the skin.”

The MUA Pro Base Softening Facial Oil Stick is available from Superdrug and MUA’s website, and contains 27 grams of product within a white plastic tube, with a twistable base and the stick itself is a chunky clear stick which you can apply directly to the skin.

The use of facial oil within the name gave the suggestion that the stick was perhaps a skincare product, and as my skin is so super dry I really liked the idea of an easy to apply facial oil in a stick format which would sit nicely under my foundation.

The MUA Pro Base Softening Facial Oil Stick is completely clear and doesn’t add any colour to the skin. The stick doesn’t have a scent and the ingredients are as follows, and I don’t know anything about ingredients but from looking online I’ve found;

HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE (a synthetic polymer used as a skin conditioning agent), TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE (a film-forming agent and texture enhancer), C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE (versatile emollient ester suitable for use in skin care), CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE (lubricates the surface of the skin/hair, removes the appearance of dry patches and flakes and gives the skin a soft and smooth look), ISOSTEARIC ACID (a synthetically created fatty acid most often used as a binder in skin and beauty products), PHENYL TRIMETHICONE (a silicon-based polymer), DIBUTYL LAUROYL GLUTAMIDE, DIBUTYL ETHYLHEXANOYL GLUTAMIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN.

From looking at the ingredients I don’t think it can be seen as a skincare product, but I don’t think it’s necessarily bad for the skin as it doesn’t appear to be loaded with alcohol and silicones like many primers. It doesn’t blur the skin or improve the texture of my skin, but it does add shine.

I don’t find that it adds hydration to the skin but my skin is exceptionally dry. I’m not sure it’s a product I’d recommend as I don’t notice any improvements to my skin, skin’s texture or makeup but it’s affordable and I always like to try new products and product formats.

I’d love to know if you’ve tried any of the MUA Pro Base Balm Sticks?

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