e.l.f. Cosmetics Prep & Hydrate Balm
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Vitis vinifera seed oil + 6 moreWorks
“This convenient, versatile water based primer stick instantly hydrates skin to help improve skin texture and to prep skin for makeup application.”
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, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, theobroma cacao seed butter.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propylene glycol~4.5–6.8%
- 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 glycolBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneGlycerin~2.6–4%
- 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 GlycerinSodium stearate~2.5–3.8%
Portulaca oleracea extract~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTocopheryl acetate~1.1–1.6%
- 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 acetatePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilVitis vinifera seed oil~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilTheobroma cacao seed butter~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterButyrospermum parkii butter~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterParfum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCitric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCi 42090~0.05–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glycerin, Sodium stearate, Portulaca oleracea extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium chloride, Citric acid, Ci 42090, Ci 19140
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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. CosmeticsPrep & Hydrate BalmYOUR PRODUCT | LORACDewy Canvas Prep Moisturizer + Primer | LancômePrep & Hydrate Primer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 32% | 19% |
| Price | — | $37.00 | $43.65 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5Portulaca oleracea (purslane)mdedge.com
- 6
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