Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Hydrating Serum Primer
Works for
MoisturizingBetaine, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks
“Flawless Start Hydrating Serum Primer”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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).
Anti-agingNiacinamide ~0.45–0.65%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
“Elizabeth Arden, Flawless Start The Hydrating Serum Primer is a deeply hydrating formula that restores smooth skin and a youthful glow.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Benzophenone-4, Parfum + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Propanediol~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolIsononyl isononanoate~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateBetaine~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineMethylpropanediol~2.4–2.9%
Pentylene glycol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAlchemilla vulgaris extract~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has astringent properties. In other words, it might be able to interact with keratin in the uppermost layer of the skin to reduce swelling and create a temporal tightening effect. It can be irritating
More about Alchemilla vulgaris extractAmodimethicone~1.2–1.5%
Benzophenone-4~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritating
More about Benzophenone-4Butylene glycol~0.75–1.1%
- 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 glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCarbomer~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCastor oil/ipdi copolymer~0.55–0.85%
Citric acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDisodium edta~0.5–0.75%
Glycerin~0.5–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinLecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinNiacinamide~0.45–0.65%
- 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 NiacinamideParfum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumRosa hybrid flower extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium citrate~0.3–0.6%
- 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 citrateSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Soluble collagen~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Soluble collagenThymus serpyllum extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetateTrisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool~0.2–0.4%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.2%
Ci 17200~0.1–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Isononyl isononanoate, Betaine, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Alchemilla vulgaris extract, Amodimethicone, Benzophenone-4, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Carbomer, Castor oil/ipdi copolymer, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Glycerin, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Parfum, Rosa hybrid flower extract, Sodium citrate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Soluble collagen, Thymus serpyllum extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Trisodium edta, Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, Linalool, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium metabisulfite, Sorbic acid, Ci 17200, 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.
| Elizabeth ArdenFlawless Start Hydrating Serum PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | ilsoER Firming Serum | BloomeffectsTulip Dew Drops | NUXESuper Serum [10] + Gua Sha Free | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 94% | 94% |
| Price | — | $24.13 | $55.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Retinol | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Alcaligenes Polysaccharides |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Ampoule Firming Pore TighteningSKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Product summary
"Elizabeth Arden - Flawless Start Hydrating Serum Primer" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (soluble collagen 0.30% - 0.55%, sodium hyaluronate 0.30% - 0.55%, glycerin 0.50% - 0.80% and betaine 3.00% - 3.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 24.25£ up to 705.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 50.00CA$ in Canada and for 43.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Benzophenone 4: An emerging allergen in cosmetics and toiletries?pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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