Versus

Exa Beauty Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer Versus Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer

Face Primer
Face Primer
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on January 10, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and fungal acne (malassezia) safe face primers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens 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.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

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

In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.

As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.

Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.

Learn more about Maltodextrin
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

8 Routines
88% use in am
13% use in pm
88% use every day
5 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% 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's avatar

MirandaMaheri

1 year ago
Review

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.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer 21 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Wren1358's avatar

Wren P

7 months ago
Review

returned. didn't do anything bad, just didn't seem that effective at minimizing pores or making foundation work better.