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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer versus e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide .

Last updated on October 25, 2023. Published on May 20, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face primers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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 American Brand United States
Face Primer American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Power Grip Primer

Starts at $10.00
Shop

Buy Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide

Starts at $10.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 1.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 2.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 3.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emulsifying

Peg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.

As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Peg-150 Distearate

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 4.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 5.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: 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

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 6.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 4.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 10.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 9.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 13.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 15.

We don't have a description for Peg-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 15.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 10.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 17.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 16.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 18.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 17.

12
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 19.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 18.

13
What it does:
Community Rating: 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

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 20.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 14.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 22.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 12.

15
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.

Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.

Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.

Learn more about CI 19140

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer contains this as ingredient number 23.

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

26% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer 23 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review

e.l.f. cosmetics Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide 20 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review
AshN.'s Avatar'
Feb 14, 2024

I would say that this is a budget friendly dupe for the Milk Hydro Grip Primer with the additional benefit of Niacinamide for extra brightening. I feel that this helps my makeup stay well in place without drying my under eye area. I'm...

I would say that this is a budget friendly dupe for the Milk Hydro Grip Primer with the additional benefit of Niacinamide for extra brightening. I feel that this helps my makeup stay well in place without drying my under eye area. I'm also a fan of the dewy glow that comes after application.

Long-Lasting
Dewy
No Color

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