PRODUCT REVIEW
MAC Prep + Prime Skin
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $38.84
More options from: $27.00
Price as of 5/11/2023 2:53 GMT.
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Cheaper alternatives
Revlon - Exclusive PhotoReady PRIME PLUS Perfecting and Smoothing Primer
Price: $13.54
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
dimethicone
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
saccharide isomerate
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
sodium hyaluronate
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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Anti-oxidation
camellia sinensis leaf extract
1.7% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
caffeine
0.4% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
scutellaria baicalensis root extract
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Enhance and even your skin tone with the Prep + Prime Skin from MAC .
morus bombycis root extract
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that might contain arbutin, a compound that has skin-lightening properties. Might have some anti-oxidant activity. Is unlikely to be effective though in the concentrations typically used in skincare products
camellia sinensis leaf extract
1.7% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
50/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 4
Potential irritants
morus bombycis root extract
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
A plant extract that might contain arbutin, a compound that has skin-lightening properties. Might have some anti-oxidant activity. Is unlikely to be effective though in the concentrations typically used in skincare products
scutellaria baicalensis root extract
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Reduces irritation,
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
1.5% -
1.9%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
hypnea musciformis extract
0.95% -
1.15%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Similar products & dupes
| MAC - Prep + Prime Skin |  Estée Lauder - The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer + Finisher |  e.l.f. - Poreless Putty Primer Universal Sheer | Revlon - Exclusive PhotoReady PRIME PLUS Perfecting and Smoothing Primer |  Smashbox - Photo Finish Primerizer |  Tula - Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer |  DOMINIQUE COSMETICS - Blur & Moisture Serum Primer |  THE ROUTE - The Girlfriend - Skin-Loving Glow Primer |  Peter Thomas Roth - Skin To Die For Redness-Reducing Treatment Primer |  Dolce & Gabbana - Secret Veil Hydrating Radiant Primer |  Benefit - The Porefessional Hydrate Face Primer Mini | |
| Price | |||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
41%
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33%
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31%
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30%
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28%
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28%
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27%
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27%
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26%
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25%
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| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
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Other:
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Other: | Common:
Other:
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Other: | Common:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
camellia sinensis leaf extract
1.7% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
cyclopentasiloxane
6.3% -
7.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
Show more
Potential irritants
morus bombycis root extract
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
A plant extract that might contain arbutin, a compound that has skin-lightening properties. Might have some anti-oxidant activity. Is unlikely to be effective though in the concentrations typically used in skincare products
scutellaria baicalensis root extract
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Reduces irritation,
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
1.5% -
1.9%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
hypnea musciformis extract
0.95% -
1.15%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Show more
All ingredients
cyclopentasiloxane
6.3% -
7.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
dimethicone
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Sucrose, Isopentyldiol, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Algae extract, Morus bombycis root extract, Hypnea musciformis extract, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Poria cocos sclerotium extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Amorphophallus konjac root powder, Laminaria saccharina extract, Algae extract, Caffeine, Tocopheryl acetate, Butylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Magnesium myristate, Unknown, Propylene glycol, Unknown, Dimethicone, Saccharide isomerate, Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Alumina, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Polyethylene, Phenyl trimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides, Ci 77163
Sources
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Physiological and Whitening Effects of Morus alba Extracts
- Safety Assessment of Vitis Vinifera (Grape)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Assessment of anti‐inflammatory activity of Poria cocos in sodium lauryl sulphate‐induced irritant contact dermatitis
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis Risk of Common Topical Traditional Chinese Medicines Used for Skin-Lightening: A Pilot Clinical Trial with 30 Volunteers
- Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants
- Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasis
- Improvement of skin barrier dysfunction by Scutellaria baicalensis GEOGI extracts through lactic acid fermentation
- Safety Assessment of Scutellaria baicalensis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Brown Algae-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- The effect of laminaria saccharina extract on suppressing pigmentation in in-vitro system
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Public Report: 2-Butenedioic acid (2E)-, di-C12-15-alkyl esters (INCI Name: Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate)