Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Mattifine 12hr Shine-Control Primer Versus Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobionic Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydroxyapatite
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveNylon-12
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Coconut Acid
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingParfum
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, CI 77220, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Acetyl Glucosamine, Zinc PCA, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxyapatite, Silica, Nylon-12, Polysorbate 80, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Coconut Acid, Salicylic Acid, Parfum, BHT, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Zinc Oxide
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
BHT
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77891, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Mica, CI 77492, Limonene, CI 77491, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate