Glossier Priming Moisturizer Balance Oil-Control Gel-Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneNiacinamideStrong evidence
“Niacinamide improves the look of pores and uneven skin tone while willow bark extract smooths skin and marine extract absorbs shine.”
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Dimethicone + 10 moreStrong evidence
“Priming Moisturizer Balance Oil-Control Gel-Cream”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Sodium salicylate + 1 moreStrong evidence
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsMedium 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%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerPropanediol~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPyrus malus fruit extract~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractPentylene glycol~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.4–2.1%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePseudoalteromonas ferment extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~1–1.5%
- 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 NiacinamideBambusa arundinacea stem extract~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.55–1.25%
- 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 DimethiconeSalix nigra bark extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
More about Salix nigra bark extractTamarindus indica seed gum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Tamarindus indica seed gumSqualane~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneHydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.7%
Isononyl isononanoate~0.3–0.75%
- 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 isononanoateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.75%
- 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 crosspolymerGlyceryl citrate/lactate/linoleate/oleate~0.15–0.7%
Potassium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Carbomer~0.15–0.55%
- 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 CarbomerGlyceryl caprylate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateGlyceryl polyacrylate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin
More about Glyceryl polyacrylateTocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- 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 TocopherolPolyglyceryl-3 caprate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 capratePolyglyceryl-4 cocoate~0.15–0.55%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePolysorbate 60~0.1–0.35%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateSodium salicylate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
The salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic products
More about Sodium salicylate1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.15%
Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Propanediol, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Pentylene glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Niacinamide, Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Dimethicone, Salix nigra bark extract, Tamarindus indica seed gum, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isononyl isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Glyceryl citrate/lactate/linoleate/oleate, Potassium hydroxide, Carbomer, Glyceryl caprylate, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 caprate, Polyglyceryl-4 cocoate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Sodium salicylate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol
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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.
| GlossierPriming Moisturizer Balance Oil-Control Gel-CreamYOUR PRODUCT | AHCFace Cream Aqualuronic Hydrating Triple Hyaluronic Acid | First Aid BeautyHydrating Dewy Gel Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides | Cos De BAHAHyaluronic acid gel cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| Price | — | $42.78 | $38.00 | $12.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Cyclopentasiloxane | Colloidal Oatmeal | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Glossier - Priming Moisturizer Balance Oil-Control Gel-Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Glossier - Priming Moisturizer Balance Oil-Control Gel-Cream ticks this box. Glycerin and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (dimethicone, squalane, caprylyl glycol, glyceryl caprylate and pentylene glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: vitamin eIrritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Glossier" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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