This product seems to be the fanciest of Bioderma’s products, and it is also probably the most expensive. There is a lot of work behind it, 14 years of research at various research institutes in France. 

This product is intended for:

• ‘Damaged skin with superficial cutaneous lesionscaused by dermatological procedures, laser treatments, peelings or incisions or with first-degree burns
• Localised cutaneous irritation (sun, wind, cold, hormonal disturbances)’  (Bioderma.hk)

The backbone of this product is the Matricium technology, which ‘recreates an ideal cellular environment so that the skin regains its own regeneration capacities. It is exclusively made of elements that are naturally found in the skin and are essential to cell life, function and regeneration. The skin recovers its original biological function and is recharged with all the resources it needs for real cutaneous regeneration.’ (Bioderma.hk)

This product is actually a medical device in the category IIa. When I first read this claim, I thought that Bioderma were referring not to the actual liquid, but the ampoules in which it is contained. So I have looked up the definitions of medical devices according to the European Union, and products can be called medical devices in the category IIa if they ‘principally [are] intended to manage the micro-environment of a wound’ (European Commission). From all the definitions, this one only seems to fit the product. Technically, the solution is on a similar level as hydrogel dressings or silicone gels; hence, it’s more than just average skincare. 

This product is a mix of various elements, which we rarely see in regular skincare products. It is composed of ingredients such as amino acids, mineral salts, vitamins, nucleotides (building blocks of nucleic acids – DNA & RNA), and hyaluronic acid. The formula might seem only like a large heap of natural moisturising factors, but these ingredients are more than that. I won’t describe each of them, because I would do injustice to the ingredients, and I don’t know how this patented technology works to combine them. But the Matricium formula is about delivering key biomimetic ingredients, meaning elements that mimic biological processes, to the skin in order to restore and strengthen it. The solution is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and safe for all skin types. It is also without preservatives; this is why it’s packed in individual ampoules. Bioderma have conducted a study which proved that the Matricium stimulates faster skin recovery and increases skin’s density after a fractional laser procedure compared to skin untreated with it (Pubmed). It is safe to say that the product works, and it can deliver the claimed results. And how did it do in my experience? 

I have reached for this product on two different occasions. The first time was a few years ago when I stopped using tretinoin. My face adopted to tretinoin after a while, but I would always have reddened face, not too much but sometimes the problem would get worse and sometimes better. It stayed red even a few months after I’d stopped using tretinoin. As my face had failed to recover itself, I bought a box of the Matrcium, and it helped me a lot, I was happy with the results. It wasn’t a 100% reduction of the redness, but a significant one. 

The second time when I needed this product was this year. Last November, I had an IPL treatment during which something went wrong, and my face ended up looking sunburnt red. Of course, something went wrong, because that’s how lucky I am. Erythema usually develops after IPL treatments, but it subsides within two weeks, in my case, it didn’t. Shortly after the treatment, I saw a dermatologist, who said that my skin would return to normal within two weeks to a month, but it did not happen. Then after a month, I saw another dermatologist who said that the redness could stay up to three months, and it stayed longer than that. In the middle of winter, my face was red as if I had been sunbathing in a scoring sun or abusing my skin with sandpaper for days. Something terrible had happened during that treatment which had affected the blood vessels on my face because, in some places, my skin had patterns of broken capillaries, it was not a type of redness that you get from overusing exfoliating products. The situation was frustrating, and as two doctors hadn’t offered me anything that would help me, I decided to take the matters in my own hands and bought three boxes of the Matrcium. 

I am not lying, but after finishing the first box, the redness decreased a lot. I could see the differences between my face and parts of my neck, which had got the damage, but I missed while applying the product. I suppose during the first month I focused too much on my face and sloppily applied the solution on my neck. I evened out the differences during the second month, and after finishing the third box, I didn’t feel like I needed to use the product any longer. I would say that by May, the redness decreased about 50%, maybe more, my face was still pinkish, and it would get red with temperature changes, but I was pleased with the results. However, midsummer, my face took a step backwards, maybe it was the heat or the UV rays (even though I avoid the sun as much as I can), but the redness had returned. The situation wasn’t as grave as the first time, but again I had the sunburnt appearance mixed with dilated blood vessels. Once again, I have purchased three boxes of the Matricium. Now, as I am finishing the last ampoules of the product, my skin looks more regular anew. I couldn’t reach a total reduction of the redness, but the Matricium has made a tremendous difference in the look of my face. I hope I won’t have any relapses, but if I do, I will return to this product. Last month, I saw a doctor (not specifically concerning this issue), and I asked about the redness. She said that there was no hyperpigmentation and advised me to use azelaic acid as there isn’t a lot of redness left. I think my face is on the right path to recovery.  

Honestly, I love this product; it has saved my face twice. I don’t know what I would do without the Matricium this year, because the redness was unbearable. If you need something to repair your skin, of course, I don’t mean open wounds or anything similar, then I recommend checking out this product. It’s phenomenal for damaged skin, and it can also increase your skin’s resilience and overall thickness. 

As for me, I hope that the IPL didn’t cause any permanent trauma, and my skin will return to normal soon. I have learnt my lesson that saving a bit of money on treatments will result in more costs in the long term. And, from my experience, I urge you to get your IPL treatments only at places where medical staff perform them. 

Ingredients:

WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GLUCOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ALANYL GLUTAMINE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ARGININE HCL, SODIUM ACETATE, LACTIS PROTEINUM/WHEY PROTEIN/PROTEINE DU PETIT LAIT, SERINE, LEUCINE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, MANNITOL, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, RHAMNOSE, XYLITOL, VALINE, SODIUM PYRUVATE, LYSINE HCL, HISTIDINE HCL, PROLINE, CYSTEINE HCL, HYDROXYPROLINE, GLUTAMIC ACID, ASPARAGINE, THREONINE, INOSITOL, ADENINE, ALANINE, ASPARTIC ACID, GLYCINE, METHIONINE, TYROSINE, PHENYLALANINE, TRYPTOPHAN, LACTIC ACID, ISOLEUCINE, SODIUM SULFATE, FOLIC ACID, FERROUS SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, THIAMINE HCL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, NIACINAMIDE, ASCORBIC ACID, THYMIDINE, CYANOCOBALAMIN, THIOCTIC ACID, RIBOFLAVIN, SODIUM METASILICATE, ZINC SULFATE, ADENOSINE, GUANINE, DEOXYRIBOSE, RIBOSE, BIOTIN, AMMONIUM MOLYBDATE, AMMONIUM VANADATE, COPPER SULFATE, MANGANESE CHLORIDE. (Bioderma.hk)