Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer versus e.l.f. cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer .

Last updated on October 13, 2023. Published on August 24, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe face primers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 Canadian Brand Canada
Face Primer American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy High-Spreadability Fluid Primer

Starts at $10.00
Shop

Buy Illuminating Face Primer

Starts at $8.00

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

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

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.

D5 is 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 Cyclopentasiloxane

The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer contains this as ingredient number 2.

e.l.f. cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 1.

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.

The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer contains this as ingredient number 5.

e.l.f. cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 4.

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.

The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer contains this as ingredient number 6.

e.l.f. cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer contains this as ingredient number 5.

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

14% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet
0% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
60% are disliked or very disliked
33% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 7 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer.

See 7 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to e.l.f. cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer.

See 31 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...