NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer Versus Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence
Updated on May 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe face primers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
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
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer 54 ingredients
Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer 54 ingredients
Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-35
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Trehalose
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingSea Salt
Abrasive
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-35, Mica, Trehalose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Carrageenan, Sea Salt, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77491, CI 14700, CI 77891, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
HumectantRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Algae Extract
Emollient
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Betaine, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Yeast Extract, Sorbitol, Algae Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Polysorbate 80, Parfum, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycerinTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
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