Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating
Works for
MoisturizingLinoleic acid, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
“A cocktail of gentle ingredients ensures the primer is kind to the skin, nourishing as it enhances the staying power of your makeup.”
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, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Evens dark spots & discoloration: Consumers agree this primer helps reduce hyperpigmentation”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Rosa centifolia flower extract, Rosa multiflora fruit 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~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~4–4.8%
- 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~3.2–3.9%
- 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 triglyceridePyrus malus fruit extract~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractIsododecane~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoatePpg-51/smdi copolymer~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a thicker product cinsistency and can help products stay on the skin longer(for example, in lip products)
More about Ppg-51/smdi copolymerRosa centifolia flower extract~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Contains essential oil. Can be irritating
More about Rosa centifolia flower extractRosa multiflora fruit extract~0.95–1.15%
Rhododendron ferrugineum extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Maris aqua~0.55–0.85%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyurethane-35~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate~0.45–0.7%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerEthylhexyl olivate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl olivateDipropylene glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolLinoleic acid~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidPhospholipids~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsPhytosterols~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsSorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.3–0.5%
Acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPpg-8-ceteth-20~0.25–0.5%
Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
More about Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymerSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Squalane~0.25–0.5%
- 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 SqualaneMethylpropanediol~0.2–0.35%
Tetrasodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Sodium citrate~0.15–0.25%
- 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 citrateCitric acid~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMica~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaPhenylpropanol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolIron oxides~0.05–0.1%
- 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, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Isododecane, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Ppg-51/smdi copolymer, Rosa centifolia flower extract, Rosa multiflora fruit extract, Rhododendron ferrugineum extract, Maris aqua, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-35, Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Ethylhexyl olivate, Dipropylene glycol, Linoleic acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, Xanthan gum, Ppg-8-ceteth-20, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Squalane, Methylpropanediol, Tetrasodium edta, Sodium citrate, Citric acid, Caprylyl glycol, Mica, Phenylpropanol, Iron oxides
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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.
| Laura MercierPure Canvas Primer IlluminatingYOUR PRODUCT | Lune+AsterHydralift Primer | Pacifica BeautyMatte Greens Skin Solve Primer | SmashboxPhoto Finish Illuminate Glow Primer Silkscreen Complex | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 33% | 31% |
| Price | $39.00 | $18.00−$21.00 | — | $39.58+$0.58 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Tarte Glowtion Skin Perfector PrimerLORAC Dewy Canvas Prep Moisturizer + Primer
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
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