Versus

Hourglass Cosmetics Vanish Airbrush Primer Versus Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Blurring

Face Primer
Face Primer
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on January 23, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face primers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

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
Abrasive, Absorbent

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 Silica
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
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

18 Routines
83% use in am
17% use in pm
94% use every day
14 Routines
93% use in am
7% use in pm
79% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hourglass Cosmetics Vanish Airbrush Primer 20 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Long Lasting (1) Matte (1) No Color (1)
chlolands's avatar

chlolands

1 year ago
Review

Didn't believe in primer until I tried this, makes even the worst makeup look good. Feels soft and silky on the skin while absorbing all oil.

#long-lasting
#matte
#no color

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer 21 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Long Lasting (1) Matte (1)
tamaragutierrez's avatar

tamara

3 months ago
Review

SOMEONE COOKED HERE SO BADDD I NEED TO GIVE THEM MY FIRSTBORN 😭 i use this on my t-zone and i swear it leaves me matte the entire day! shout out tjmaxx because i definitely would not have spent nearly $50 for this

#long-lasting
#matte