e.l.f. Cosmetics elf Blemish Control Putty Primer Universal Sheer
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Zinc pca + 1 moreWorks well
“With 1.8% Salicylic Acid, this primer diminishes the appearance of blemish and pores for a clear and smooth complexion.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Dimethicone, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks
“More Product Information”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, zinc pca.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, hydrogenated polyisobutene.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dimethicone~6.2–7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropylene glycol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCeresin~2.4–2.9%
Paraffin~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinHydrogenated polyisobutene~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneHdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a silky product texture and add volume to products
More about Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymerTrimethylsiloxysilicate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a nice product consistency and support the delivery of other ingredients
More about TrimethylsiloxysilicatePolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSalicylic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidTromethamine~0.6–0.85%
Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium chloride~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
Dimethicone crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerZinc pca~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaKaolin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinSilica~0.45–0.65%
Oryza sativa bran wax~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideChromium oxide greens~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Ceresin, Paraffin, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Salicylic acid, Tromethamine, Lauryl peg-10 tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone, Sodium chloride, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Zinc pca, Kaolin, Silica, Oryza sativa bran wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide, Chromium oxide greens, Iron oxides
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
.png)
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| e.l.f. Cosmeticself Blemish Control Putty Primer Universal SheerYOUR PRODUCT | SmashboxPhoto Finish Control Mattifying Primer Silkscreen Complex | First Aid BeautyHello FAB Pores Be Gone Mattifying Primer | NARSPore & Shine Control Primer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 73% | 72% | 70% |
| Price | — | $39.49 | $32.12 | $36.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Betaine | Colloidal Oatmeal | Oleanolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Crème Shop Universal Blend Color Correcting Primer - Infused with Cica SerumCOVER FX Mattifying Primer + Acne Treatment
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.