Max Factor Illuminating and Hydrating Primer
Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 9 moreWorks well
“Illuminating and Hydrating Primer”
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.
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, cyclopentasiloxane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide
Evens skin toneAcetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
“Formulated with glycerin and niacinamide that hydrate skin and improve skin tone over time.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, 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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Allantoin + 1 moreMay help
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Cyclopentasiloxane~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneWater~12–17%
Glycerin~4.6–6.9%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone crosspolymer~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerSodium chloride~2.4–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTitanium dioxide~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideAcetyl glucosamine~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineDiethylhexyl carbonate~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diethylhexyl carbonateNiacinamide~1.1–1.6%
- 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 NiacinamideEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamatePeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeAllantoin~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinAluminum hydroxide~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideBenzyl alcohol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBht~0.4–0.9%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCaramel~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.35–0.8%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethicone/methicone copolymer~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Ethylparaben~0.1–0.35%
Methylparaben~0.05–0.3%
Panthenol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg-10 dimethicone crosspolymer~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateIngredient list view
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium chloride, Titanium dioxide, Acetyl glucosamine, Diethylhexyl carbonate, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Allantoin, Aluminum hydroxide, Benzyl alcohol, Bht, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Caramel, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/methicone copolymer, Disodium edta, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Peg-10 dimethicone crosspolymer, Propylparaben, Tocopheryl acetate
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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.
| Max FactorIlluminating and Hydrating PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | EssenceHydro Hero Primer | MilaniRose Lotion Primer | VDLLumilayer Metal Cushion Primer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 61% | 60% |
| Price | — | $9.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 5 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol | Isomalt | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugatesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamineonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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