e.l.f. Cosmetics Illuminating Primer Mist
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate + 3 moreWorks well
“Illuminating Primer Mist”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideMay help
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Rosa damascena extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~6–9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSodium hyaluronate~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateNiacinamide~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideTocopheryl acetate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCucumis sativus fruit extract~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractRosa damascena extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractSodium chloride~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePotassium chloride~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium chloride~0.55–1.35%
Calcium chloride~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
More about Calcium chlorideGlycerin~0.4–0.9%
- 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 GlycerinXanthan gum~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium citrate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citratePpg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol ether~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Ppg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol etherCoceth-7~0.2–0.75%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilCyclodextrin~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier
More about CyclodextrinHydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.45%
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTin oxide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideMica~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.25%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77491~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl acetate, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Rosa damascena extract, Sodium chloride, Potassium chloride, Magnesium chloride, Calcium chloride, Glycerin, Xanthan gum, Sodium citrate, Ppg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol ether, Coceth-7, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Tin oxide, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Ci 77491
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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. CosmeticsIlluminating Primer MistYOUR PRODUCT | ARIUL7 Days Vitamin Mist Phyto-6 Complex | mixsoonCollagen Toner Pad | AXISDark Spot Correcting Glow Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 94% | 94% |
| Price | — | — | $18.00 | $14.03 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Adenosine | Dipeptide-4 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3%Manyo Galac Niacin 3.0 Essence
Product summary
"e. L. F. Cosmetics - Illuminating Primer Mist" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-blemish, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.90% - 4.40%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.40% - 0.90% and sodium hyaluronate 4.00% - 6.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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