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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer versus Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer .

Last updated on October 22, 2023. Published on February 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both face primers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Face Primer American Brand United States
Face Primer French Brand France

Face Primer

A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.

Face Primer

A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.

Price

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
oil-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 (2)
Exfoliators (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 21.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 2.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer 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.

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 6.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

This silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.

According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.

Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 32.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 42.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 17.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 46.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 8.

7
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer contains this as ingredient number 51.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

31% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
24% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 18 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 16 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer.

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