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Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe setting spray & powders. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original
Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray
Setting Spray & Powder
American Brand United States
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
Setting Spray & Powder
American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray
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.

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.
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.
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract comes from the cucumber. Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.

Chamomilla Recutita Extract Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Helps reduce irritation

Chamomilla Recutita Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant  •  5 Benefits

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Vitamin E  •  Antioxidant  •  Helps brighten skin

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Caffeine Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and anti-aging.

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.
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Emulsifying
Oil  •  Not safe for Fungal Acne

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Ppg-26-Buteth-26 Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Ppg-26-Buteth-26.

Disliked Full details ->
Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance  •  2 Concerns

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked 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 ->
Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
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.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

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.
Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Disliked Full details ->
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

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

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.

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.
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.
Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
3 Benefits

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Sodium Chloride Masking
3 Concerns

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0
Helps hydrate Dry Skin

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

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.

Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
0-2 / 0
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  Not safe for Fungal Acne

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of the Olive. In other words - olive oil.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance  •  Oil

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Masking, Tonic
Oil  •  EU Allergen

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.

Very Disliked 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.
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract.

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract Skin Conditioning

Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract comes from the Lotus Flower, Nelumbiumspeciosum.

Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract Refreshing, Tonic

We don't have a description for Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  2 Concerns

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil comes from the ylang-ylang flower, Cananga odorata.

Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA  •  4 Benefits  •  2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil Masking
Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil comes from the bitter orange, an orange native to Southeast Asia.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Cymbopogon Martini Oil Masking, Skin Conditioning, Tonic
Oil

Cymbopogon Martini Oil is the volatile oil expressed from the herb palmarosa, Cymbopogon martini, Gramineae

Unknown Full details ->
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil Masking
Oil  •  EU Allergen

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Michelia Alba Flower Oil Masking
Oil

Michelia Alba Flower Oil is an oil.

Unknown Full details ->
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  EU Allergen

Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.

Unknown 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.

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  EU Allergen

This oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Jasminum Officinale Oil Masking, Moisturising, Perfuming
Fragrance  •  Oil  •  EU Allergen

Jasminum Officinale Oil is obtained from the jasmine flower. The flower has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Limonene Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Linalool Perfuming
Fragrance  •  2 Concerns

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Very Disliked 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.

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
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
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Mixed

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning
Loved

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

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol
Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Ingredient Ratings

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

Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray
8
2
5
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
11
5
15
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

7 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
5 Routines
60% use in am
40% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray 15 ingredients

Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Dewy (1) Oily (1)
Ceci's avatar

Ceci

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Good but be careful with the eyes
Keeps the skin hydrated and plump but once I wasn't careful and sprayed too much so got into my right eye. I was...

Good but be careful with the eyes
Keeps the skin hydrated and plump but once I wasn't careful and sprayed too much so got into my right eye. I was out of home so had to run like Usain Bolt to the nearest fountain to wash my eye because it burned like hell 😭

emrose's avatar

emrose

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

I really wanted to like this, I love a lot of Rare Beauty products, however, I found that even after 1 use, it broke out my skin. I felt super oily...

I really wanted to like this, I love a lot of Rare Beauty products, however, I found that even after 1 use, it broke out my skin. I felt super oily and had several new pimples the next day. To be fair I had been trying some new products and some of the reaction could have been caused by the cumulative changes to my skincare routine. I also only tried it once. However, given the immediate oilly-ness and texture after using, I wouldn't recommend it if you have sensitive skin. Possibly might be better when using a very matte or dry power make up look.