Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
- Exfoliation
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
"Smashbox - Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (1.90% - 2.30%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.30% - 0.55%, trehalose 0.30% - 0.60%, faex 0.50% - 0.75%, lactobacillus ferment 0.65% - 0.95%, algae extract 1.20% - 1.50%, hydroxyethyl urea 1.60% - 1.90% and glycerin 4.00% - 4.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Smashbox" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 72.33CA$ in Canada, for 86.71A$ in Australia, for 33.48$ in the United States, for 47.62£ in the United Kingdom and for 330.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
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.
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
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
Anti-blemish
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer
Source: From product name
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, faex.
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
Yeast extract. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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
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
Helps to hydrate the skin by improving its barrier funciton
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
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
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer | Current | $14.85 | |
 Exa Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer | 83% | $34.00 | |
e.l.f. Power grip primer | 81% | $10.00 | |
REVOLUTION SKINCARE I Heart Revolution Tasty Watermelon Serum Primer | 76% | $10.00 | |
I Heart Revolution Tasty Watermelon Serum Primer | 76% | $10.00 | |
 La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen | 75% | $40.99 |
Key Actives
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
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
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
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
Helps to hydrate the skin by improving its barrier funciton
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
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
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Yeast extract. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Potential irritants
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
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.
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Comedogenic ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the skin
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
All ingredients
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
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
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
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
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
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
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
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
Yeast extract. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
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.
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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
Used to create a silky product texture and add volume to products
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
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, Faex, 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
- Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmetics
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- 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
- Application of sodium polyaspartate in skin care products
- The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging
- Comparison of clinical and histological effects between lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa and tea tree oil for the treatment of acne: an eight-week double-blind randomized controlled split-face study
- Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applications
- The natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation inhibits melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase activity and downregulating melanosome transfer
- Evaluation of dermatological effects of cosmetic formulations containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract and vitamins
- Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroactive Properties of Selected Fruit Extracts
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders
- Public Report: 2-Butenedioic acid (2E)-, di-C12-15-alkyl esters (INCI Name: Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate)
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols