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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original versus Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist .

Published on May 21, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe setting spray & powders. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Setting Spray & Powder American Brand United States
Setting Spray & Powder American Brand United States

Setting Spray & Powder

Setting sprays and powders are often the last step of makeup. They are used to help makeup stay in place and last longer.

Setting Spray & Powder

Setting sprays and powders are often the last step of makeup. They are used to help makeup stay in place and last longer.

Price

Shop

Buy Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray

Starts at $31.00
Shop

Buy Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist

Starts at $27.00

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
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 E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema
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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

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original contains this as ingredient number 1.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original contains this as ingredient number 2.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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.

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original contains this as ingredient number 3.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original contains this as ingredient number 9.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original contains this as ingredient number 14.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

53% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
11% 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

Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray 15 ingredients

Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Dewy (1) Oily (1)
Ceci's avatar

Ceci

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Good but be careful with the eyes
Keeps the skin hydrated and plump but once I wasn't careful and sprayed too much so got into my right eye. I was...

Good but be careful with the eyes
Keeps the skin hydrated and plump but once I wasn't careful and sprayed too much so got into my right eye. I was out of home so had to run like Usain Bolt to the nearest fountain to wash my eye because it burned like hell 😭

emrose's avatar

emrose

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

I really wanted to like this, I love a lot of Rare Beauty products, however, I found that even after 1 use, it broke out my skin. I felt super oily...

I really wanted to like this, I love a lot of Rare Beauty products, however, I found that even after 1 use, it broke out my skin. I felt super oily and had several new pimples the next day. To be fair I had been trying some new products and some of the reaction could have been caused by the cumulative changes to my skincare routine. I also only tried it once. However, given the immediate oilly-ness and texture after using, I wouldn't recommend it if you have sensitive skin. Possibly might be better when using a very matte or dry power make up look.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 22 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray Original.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist.

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