Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Matte Primer Versus Covergirl TruBlend Base Business Face Primer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Magnesium Sulfate
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingSapphire Powder
Vitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPantolactone
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Talc, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Retinyl Palmitate, Sorbic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Panthenol, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Sapphire Powder, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Pantolactone, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77288, Iron Oxides, CI 77289, CI 77510, CI 75470, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water