Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer versus Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer .
Last updated on October 13, 2023. Published on March 27, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face primers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Face Primer
A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.
Face Primer
A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.
Price
Ingredient Info
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane • Dimethicone • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Trisiloxane • Silica • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Retinyl Palmitate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract • Propylene Glycol • Water • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Cola Acuminata Seed Extract • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 6.
Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl Palmitatee.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 8.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 8.
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.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetatee.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 9.
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.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about Silicae.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 10.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer contains this as ingredient number 5.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer 11 ingredients
emcan717_265
has a film over face
idk what's up with the formula, but it doesn't go into the skin at all and sits on top like a film of some sort. it makes my...
has a film over face
idk what's up with the formula, but it doesn't go into the skin at all and sits on top like a film of some sort. it makes my face oilier than it already is
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Face Primer.
See 12 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 13 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer.
See 13 alternatives