Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer - Always an Optimist Collection Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer
Updated on October 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face primers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer - Always an Optimist Collection 30 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer - Always an Optimist Collection 30 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Propanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantParfum
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Silica, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Talc
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceresin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 WaterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer yet.
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 SilicaCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer - Always an Optimist Collection 30 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer - Always an Optimist Collection 30 ingredients
Didn't do anything
Didn't do anything on my combination skin, not for pore minimizing or longevity of my makeup. I find that it actually makes my makeup slides off faster on my nose during the day.
So I don’t hate it. It just doesn’t make any noticeable difference. Maybe my pores are just too large.
e.l.f. cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer 27 ingredients
as a primer, its quite good, however it can break you out but i feel that if you prep your skin well beforehand it will lessen the risk of clogging your pores. just make sure to clean your face well at night when using this
