PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 6 moreWorks
“Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Anti-agingAscorbic acid ~0.2–0.35%Under-dosed
“Hydrating hyaluronic acid helps preserve skin's most youthful qualities, and diminishes the look of pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.4–5.4%
- 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 GlycerinC13-15 alkane~4.2–5.1%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateEthylene/acrylic acid copolymer~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-16 alcohols~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product's texture
More about C12-16 alcoholsSodium polyacrylate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylatePalmitic acid~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidSodium potassium aluminum silicate~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateHydrogenated lecithin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSilica~0.6–0.95%
Disodium edta~0.4–0.65%
Sodium hydroxide~0.35–0.65%
Parfum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolysorbate 60~0.3–0.6%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePoloxamer 338~0.25–0.5%
Peg-8~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Tocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 TocopherolCirsium eriophorum callus extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mica~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaAscorbyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateAscorbic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.3%
- 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 acetateTitanium dioxide~0.2–0.4%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.1–0.15%
- 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 oxidesCi 77491~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, C13-15 alkane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, C12-16 alcohols, Sodium polyacrylate, Palmitic acid, Sodium potassium aluminum silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Silica, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Poloxamer 338, Peg-8, Tocopherol, Cirsium eriophorum callus extract, Mica, Ascorbyl palmitate, Ascorbic acid, Citric acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides, Ci 77491
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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.
| PAT McGRATH LABSSublime Perfection Hydrating PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | SuperfluidB.L.U.R. Primer Moisturizer | Makeup RevolutionHydrate Primer | SmashboxPhoto Finish Primerizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 35% | 32% |
| Price | $45.00 | — | $9.36−$35.64 | $21.42−$23.58 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Panthenol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Essence Hydro Hero PrimerStila One Step Prime
Product summary
"PAT McGRATH LABS - Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.20% - 0.35%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.25% - 0.50% and glycerin 4.40% - 5.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 59.00CA$ in Canada and for 45.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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