Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Face Primer Versus Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer
Updated on May 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both face primers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Face Primer 41 ingredients
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer 21 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Face Primer 41 ingredients
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, CI 77220, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyl Avocadate, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Zinc PCA, Isohexadecane, Silica, Nylon-12, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxyapatite, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 80, Salicylic Acid, Coconut Acid, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Oxide
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica Silylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogen Dimethicone
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Silylate, Parfum, CI 77492, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Magnesium Carbonate, Maltodextrin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, CI 77491, Hydrogen Dimethicone, CI 77499, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 CrosspolymerPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 TocopherolThis 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Face Primer 41 ingredients
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer 21 ingredients
Reviews
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Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Face Primer 41 ingredients
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