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theBalm Priming is Everything - Neutral
theBalm

theBalm Priming is Everything - Neutral

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Phenyl trimethicone, Triethylhexanoin + 8 more
Works
What the product description says
“Priming is Everything .”
From product name

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: copernicia cerifera wax, helianthus annuus seed oil.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Phenyl trimethiconeKey active· OcclusiveEffect: HighA type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture~22–33%
TriethylhexanoinKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~7.3–11%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~2.8–4.2%
Copernicia cerifera waxKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~1.2–1.8%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~1.1–1.6%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.~1–1.5%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.5–1.15%
Tribehenin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.6%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.85–1.25%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.5–1.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
TriethylhexanoinHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~7.3–11%est.
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateUsed to thicken the product's consistencyMedium~2.1–3.1%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~1–1.5%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.85–1.25%est.
Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Phenyl trimethicone~22–33%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture

More about Phenyl trimethicone
Triethylhexanoin~7.3–11%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Triethylhexanoin
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~4.8–7.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products

More about Synthetic fluorphlogopite
Euphorbia cerifera wax~4.5–6.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Euphorbia cerifera wax
Candelilla cera~3.8–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Candelilla cera
Squalane~2.8–4.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate~2.1–3.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to thicken the product's consistency

More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate
Tribehenin~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Tribehenin
Silica~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Cetyl diglyceryl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Cetyl diglyceryl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone
Copernicia cerifera wax~1.2–1.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

More about Copernicia cerifera wax
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~1–1.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Cetyl alcohol~1.1–1.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation

More about Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl glycol~0.85–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Tocopherol~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.5–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Hexylene glycol~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol
Alumina~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products

More about Alumina
Magnesium oxide~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Magnesium oxide
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 dioxide
Ci 77891~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Iron oxides~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 oxides
Ingredient list view

Phenyl trimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Euphorbia cerifera wax, Candelilla cera, Squalane, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Tribehenin, Silica, Cetyl diglyceryl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl dimethicone, Copernicia cerifera wax, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Cetyl alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Hexylene glycol, Alumina, Magnesium oxide, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
theBalmPriming is Everything - NeutralYOUR PRODUCTXX RevolutionSecond Skin Complexxion Primer CreamSmashboxBe Legendary Prime & Plush LipstickFourth Ray BeautySelfie Ready
Match—8%5%4%
Price——$23.77—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 84 of 82 of 8
Key difference—C13-16 IsoparaffinCeramide NgNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Amended Safety Assessment of Triglycerides as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  2. 2
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  4. 4
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  6. 6
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
theBalm Priming is Everything - Neutral
theBalmPriming is Everything - Neutral
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.