MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer - Mattifying Primer
Works for
MoisturizingSodium hyaluronate, Pentylene glycol + 4 moreWorks
“Combination, and Oily Highlighted Ingredients. . Hyaluronic Acid.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzyl benzoate + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicatePentylene glycol~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~2.6–3.9%
Parfum~1.6–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLactic acid~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidBenzyl benzoate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateButylene glycol~1–1.5%
- 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 glycolBenzyl salicylate~0.8–1.25%
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractCichorium intybus root extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneSanguisorba officinalis root extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateBht~0.05–0.2%
Tocopherol~0.01–0.1%
- 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 TocopherolCinnamomum cassia bark extract~0.01–0.05%
Zingiber officinale root extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractIngredient list view
Water, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Pentylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Lactic acid, Benzyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, Benzyl salicylate, Avena sativa kernel extract, Cichorium intybus root extract, Limonene, Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hyaluronate, Bht, Tocopherol, Cinnamomum cassia bark extract, Zingiber officinale root extract
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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.
| MAKE UP FOR EVERStep 1 Skin Equalizer - Mattifying PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | Peter Thomas RothFirmx 360 Eye Renewal | Heir AtelierFace Primer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 36% | 32% |
| Price | — | $99.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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