Smashbox Mini Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Face Primer
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 14 moreWorks well
“A lightweight, breathable, silicone-free primer that doubles as a moisturizer, delivering up to 72 hours of hydration.”
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:
algae extract, 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: algae extract, pantethine.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Yeast extractWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxyethyl urea, 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-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Algae extractWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains 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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Hydroxyethyl ureaWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: hydroxyethyl urea.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Rosa hybrid flower extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~5.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateGlycerin~4–4.8%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl isostearate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearatePpg-15 stearyl ether~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherNiacinamide~1.9–2.3%
- 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 NiacinamideHydroxyethyl urea~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients
More about Hydroxyethyl ureaSodium polyaspartate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
More about Sodium polyaspartateAlgae extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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
More about Algae extractCaffeine~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineLactobacillus ferment~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentYeast extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Yeast extractLycium chinense fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosa hybrid flower extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractVaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extractTrehalose~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePantethine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to hydrate the skin by improving its barrier funciton
More about PantethineSorbitol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetateCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolHdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a silky product texture and add volume to products
More about Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymerAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.4%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Propanediol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolNylon-12~0.15–0.3%
Silica~0.2–0.4%
Bht~0.05–0.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Isopropyl isostearate, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl urea, Sodium polyaspartate, Algae extract, Caffeine, Lactobacillus ferment, Yeast extract, Lycium chinense fruit extract, Rosa hybrid flower extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Trehalose, Sodium hyaluronate, Pantethine, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylyl glycol, Butylene glycol, Hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, 1,2-hexanediol, Xanthan gum, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Propanediol, Nylon-12, Silica, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| SmashboxMini Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Face PrimerYOUR PRODUCT | Estée LauderNutritious Radiant Essence Treatment Lotion | BANOBAGIMilk Thistle Repair Lotion | SuperdrugME+ Niacinamide Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 88% | 87% |
| Price | — | $31.50 | $21.42 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion with Ceramides for Normal to Dry Skin - UK VersionToo Faced Hangover Pillow Cream Ultra-Nourishing Night Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
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