J.Cat Beauty Instant Skin Brightening Tone-Up Primer H2O Shield Versus Max Factor X Miracle Prep Illuminating & Hydrating Primer
Updated on November 25, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both face primers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
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
J.Cat Beauty Instant Skin Brightening Tone-Up Primer H2O Shield 31 ingredients
Max Factor X Miracle Prep Illuminating & Hydrating Primer 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
J.Cat Beauty Instant Skin Brightening Tone-Up Primer H2O Shield 31 ingredients
Max Factor X Miracle Prep Illuminating & Hydrating Primer 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Panthenol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 17200, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Titanium Dioxide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Allantoin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caramel, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeTitanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
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