Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer Versus Covergirl TruBlend Base Business Face Primer - Color Neutralizing
Updated on January 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face primers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils or parabens
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 The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Covergirl TruBlend Base Business Face Primer 51 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Covergirl TruBlend Base Business Face Primer 51 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Cola Acuminata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Water, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Magnesium Sulfate
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Geraniol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Punica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingSapphire Powder
Vitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPantolactone
HumectantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Talc, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Retinyl Palmitate, Sorbic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Panthenol, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Sapphire Powder, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Pantolactone, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77288, Iron Oxides, CI 77289, CI 77510, CI 75470, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
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 SilicaRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetatePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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 The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer 15 ingredients
Covergirl TruBlend Base Business Face Primer 51 ingredients
Reviews
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