Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer

Versus

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer Versus REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face primers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer

Face Primer

American Brand United States

REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide

Face Primer

American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer 18 ingredients

REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide 23 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer 18 ingredients

REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide 23 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Silica Abrasive, Absorbent

Exfoliant • 2 Concerns

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Disliked Full details ->

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Liked Full details ->

Mica Cosmetic Colorant

May worsen Eczema

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from the stem of the Prickly Pear cactus. The stem is rich in polyphenols, a potent source of antioxidants. It is anti-aging and soothing properties.

Unknown Full details ->

Niacinamide Smoothing

Niacinamide • 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Loved Full details ->

Spirulina Platensis Extract Skin Protecting

Spirulina Platensis Extract comes from the alga called Spirulina platensis. It has wound-healing, antioxidant, and soothing properties.

Disliked Full details ->

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Masking

2 Benefits

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf is a plant material from the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae

Liked Full details ->

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Trehalose Humectant, Moisturising

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

Loved Full details ->

Maltodextrin Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

Liked Full details ->

Sodium Citrate Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Mixed Full details ->

Sodium Carbonate Buffering

We don't have a description for Sodium Carbonate.

Disliked Full details ->

Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Mixed Full details ->

Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Liked Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Water, Glycerin, Silica, Propanediol, Mica, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Niacinamide, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Glycereth-26 Humectant

0 / 0

Glycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Mixed Full details ->

Niacinamide Smoothing

Niacinamide • 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Loved Full details ->

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Oil • Not safe for Fungal Acne

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds from the tea plant. This is the same plant we get green, black, and oolong tea from.

Liked Full details ->

Methylpropanediol Solvent

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

Mixed Full details ->

Panthenol Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Helps reduce irritation

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract Skin Conditioning

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract comes from the microalga, Chlorella vulgaris. It is hydrating and contains antioxidants. Studies also show Chlorella Vulgaris may help in rebuilding collagen and elastin.

Liked Full details ->

Glucose Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms. In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.

Loved Full details ->

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->

Fructooligosaccharides Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Fructooligosaccharides is an alternative sweetener. It is often derived from the blue agave plant.

Liked Full details ->

Fructose Humectant

Fructose is fruit/plant sugar. It can be found in apples, figs, and honey.

Liked Full details ->

Hydrogenated Lecithin Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.

Liked Full details ->

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.

Unknown Full details ->

Yeast Ferment Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Yeast Ferment Extract.

Disliked Full details ->

Tromethamine Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

Liked Full details ->

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

3 Benefits

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Liked Full details ->

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Mixed Full details ->

Sodium Phytate

Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.

Liked Full details ->

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment Antimicrobial, Antiseborrhoeic, Cleansing

We don't have a description for Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment.

Liked Full details ->

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0-3 / 0-3

Vitamin E • Antioxidant • 4 Benefits • May cause irritation

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Niacinamide

Smoothing

Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer 18 ingredients

REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide 23 ingredients

8 Routines

75% use in am

13% use in pm

88% use every day

9 Routines

89% use in am

11% use in pm

89% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer 18 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 1 rating

MirandaMaheri

4 months ago · Unsure Skin

Review

LOVE THIS. recently overhauled my entire makeup routine to be FA safe & this was replacing my Milk HydroGrip Primer. its AMAZING. similar texture...

LOVE THIS. recently overhauled my entire makeup routine to be FA safe & this was replacing my Milk HydroGrip Primer. its AMAZING. similar texture to the milk one but no silicones! high quality packaging.