What's In My Jar
M.A.C Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip
M.A.C Cosmetics

M.A.C Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients
Edit

Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Ethylhexyl palmitate + 4 more
Strong evidence
What the product description says
“A color-free lipstick base that adds light moisture, smooths, and refines the look of lips.”
Source: Sephora CA

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: palmitoyl tripeptide-1, cyclopentasiloxane.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Hero· EmollientEffect: HighA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.55–1.25%
Ethylhexyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~1.4–2.1%
CyclopentasiloxaneKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~23–34%
TocopherolEffect: LowPure 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~1.1–1.7%
Tribehenin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~1–1.5%
CeresinEffect: Low~4.8–7.1%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Tocopherol
Strong evidence

This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

TocopherolKey activeEffect: HighPure 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~1.1–1.7%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Tocopherol
Moderate evidence

This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-1. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Key activeEffect: MediumA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.55–1.25%
TocopherolEffect: LowPure 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~1.1–1.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
No flagged irritants in our database
Low risk
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~1.4–2.1%est.
Edit
Alternatives
The closest match we found
peptide lip tint raspberry jelly
Rhode peptide lip tint raspberry jelly
Closest match53% match
View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Cyclopentasiloxane~23–34%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane
Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate~7.5–11.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate
Ceresin~4.8–7.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Ceresin
Polybutene~3.6–5.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Polybutene
Microcrystalline wax~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax
Ozokerite~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Ozokerite
Tocopherol~1.1–1.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Ethylhexyl palmitate~1.4–2.1%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Tribehenin~1–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Tribehenin
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.55–1.25%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency

More about Disteardimonium hectorite
Sorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan isostearate
Vanillin~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vanillin
Ingredient list view

Cyclopentasiloxane, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Ceresin, Polybutene, Microcrystalline wax, Ozokerite, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Tribehenin, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Disteardimonium hectorite, Sorbitan isostearate, Vanillin

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 10/26/2026 16:12 GMT
$18.94
Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
M.A.C CosmeticsPrep + Prime LipYOUR PRODUCTRhodepeptide lip tint raspberry jellyPeter Thomas RothInstant FIRMx Collagen Bounce StickPaula's choicePro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Match—53%52%50%
Price$18.94—$23.48+$4.54$24.00+$5.06
Shared key ingredients—2 of 31 of 31 of 3
Key difference—Lactic AcidLactic AcidPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper
Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
M.A.C Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip
M.A.C CosmeticsPrep + Prime Lip
Buy on Amazon$18.94 · as of 10/26 16:12 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$18.94 · as of 10/26 16:12 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.