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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence versus Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion .

Published on June 06, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, dark spots 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 need an update? Let us know.

Face Primer American Brand United States
Essence French Brand France

Face Primer

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

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

Shop

Buy Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence

Starts at $19.00
Shop

Buy DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion

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 C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

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

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

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 Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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 Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 24.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 7.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, 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.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 19.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 16.

6
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.

Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.

Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,

Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.

Learn more about Citronellol

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 20.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 31.

7
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 21.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 30.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 23.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 20.

9
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 Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 25.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 7.

10
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

Sodium Benzoate 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 Benzoate

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 26.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 33.

11
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize 8-in-1 Primer Essence contains this as ingredient number 27.

Dior DIORSNOW Essence Of Light Micro-infused Lotion contains this as ingredient number 36.

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

41% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
34% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Alternatives

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