
Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer
Benefits
Promise: Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
The fast-absorbing formula helps to soften the appearance of fine lines.
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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
niacinamide | HIGH | ||
algae extract | LOW |
Promise: Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
The lightweight formula acts as both a primer and moisturiser, working to smooth and soften the complexion.
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: dimethicone, algae extract.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
algae extract | HIGH | ||
dimethicone | HIGH | ||
glycerin | HIGH |
Other benefit: Anti-blemish
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
niacinamide | HIGH |
Other benefit: Evens skin tone
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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
niacinamide | HIGH |
Other benefit: Exfoliation
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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
hydroxyethyl urea | HIGH |
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Anti-aging | |
Moisturizing |
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Potential irritants

Ingredient | Irritancy | Skin Benefit |
---|---|---|
decyl glucoside | ||
sodium polyaspartate | ||
caffeine |
Similar products & dupes
Smashbox - Photo Finish Primerizer | Exa - Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer | CoverGirl - Makeup Primer 100 | La Roche-Posay - Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen | Milani - Rose Lotion Primer | Ciaté London - Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer | J.Cat Beauty - H20 Fresh Dewy Hydrating Face Primer | SMASHBOX COSMETICS - SMASHBOX PHOTO FINISH VITAMIN GLOW PRIMER | Peter Thomas Roth - Skin To Die For Redness-Reducing Treatment Primer | VDL - Lumilayer Primer Fresh | Super Facialist - Skin Perfecting Primer | |
Price | |||||||||||
WIMJ similarity score | 82% | 77% | 73% | 73% | 72% | 71% | 71% | 71% | 71% | 69% | |
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Irritancy | ![]() IRRITANCY
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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Ingredients & concentrations
- niacinamide
- caffeine
- dimethicone
- glycerin
- hydroxyethyl urea
- sodium hyaluronate
- algae extract
- trehalose
- +4 more
Ingredient | Estimated concentration |
---|---|
40% - 60% | |
Plain old water | |
4% - 6.1% | |
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant | |
3.7% - 5.6% | |
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 | |
2.7% - 4.1% | |
An emollient that helps soften the skin | |
2.1% - 3.1% | |
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency | |
1.6% - 2.4% | |
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 | |
1.4% - 2% | |
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 | |
1.2% - 1.7% | |
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation | |
0.95% - 1.4% | |
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin | |
0.9% - 1.35% | |
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 | |
0.45% - 1.05% | |
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes | |
0.4% - 0.95% | |
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin | |
0.35% - 0.8% | |
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture | |
0.35% - 0.85% | |
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating | |
0.15% - 0.65% | |
Used to create a thicker product consistency | |
0.1% - 0.45% | |
A preservative | |
0.1% - 0.5% | |
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin | |
0.1% - 0.35% | |
Used to adjust the product's pH | |
0.05% - 0.3% | |
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together | |
0.05% - 0.3% | |
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture | |
0.05% - 0.15% | |
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 | |
0.05% - 0.2% | |
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products | |
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Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Final report on the safety assessment of PPG-11 and PPG-15 stearyl ethers
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Safety Assessment of Hydroxyethyl Urea As Used in Cosmetics