Primers With Silicone
Description
November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
Primers containing silicone can give a particularly smooth look to the face and can provide a good surface to help some kinds of foundation to perform better.
Women with aging skin may find that silicone-based primers can help to blur their wrinkles or other textural issues, even if no foundation is used on top of it.
They tend to work especially well with silicone-based makeup but may be used with some other kinds of makeup as well.
However, oil-based foundations (such as the Kosas Tinted Face Oil or the Jones Road What The Foundation) likely should not be used over silicone-based primers since they tend to slide right off that kind of surface.
While exposure to silicone is not often a skin irritant, silicone-based primers put a tight coating on the skin that can trap sweat, dirt and bacteria underneath.
This can eventually lead to worsened issues with breakouts, eczema, inflammation, or increased general reactivity to other substances.
I thus believe that it may be best for most people who want to wear silicone-based primers and foundations to do so only on occasion and to take particular care to make sure they are completely removed rather than left on the face longer than necessary.
Because silicones repel water, doing a “double cleanse” by starting with a cleansing oil or balm to remove the silicones and then following that with a regular cleanser to remove the oil may be necessary.
Despite the fact that I like the way that silicone-based primers blur the wrinkles on my face, I pretty rarely wear them due primarily to the fact that I feel that they are difficult to thoroughly remove from my skin even when I use oil-based cleansers and that my skin quality tends to decline as a result.
In addition to the silicone-based primers listed on this page, there are some green primers (intended to neutralize facial redness) listed on the Color Correctors page of this website.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Fashion Fair Skin Priming Serum ($37)
Honest Everything Primer Glow + 2HA ($23)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Bobbi Brown Face Base ($66)
Jane Iredale Smooth Affair ($50)
Mineral Fusion Hydrating Primer ($28)
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas ($54)
♦ Not Yet Tried:
Mineral Fusion Illuminating Primer ($28)
Tarte Sea Glotion Skin Protector Primer ($32)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Honest Everything Primer Glow + 2HA ($23)
√ Bobbi Brown Face Base ($66)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Note: This section contains affiliate links, which means that Living Clean in a Dirty World may receive a commission if readers click on these links and then purchase products. Living Clean in a Dirty World also may accept product review samples but receives no other compensation from companies mentioned on this website.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base – $66
♥ Lisa’s Choice
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Grapefruit Oil, Geranium Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Silicone Level: High
The Bobbi Brown website describes this product as “Skincare made for makeup. Our bestselling multivitamin-enriched moisturizing primer for the face instantly nourishes, plumps, and preps skin with healthy hydration to improve the look of foundation. It’s full makeup prep in one step, blending the performance of a primer with the cushion of a face moisturizer. A blend of Vitamins B, C, and E helps replenish and condition skin with essential nourishment. A moisturizing complex of Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, and Shea Butter helps instantly hydrate, plump, and prep skin for a fresh, healthy-looking glow. Rich yet lightweight and fast-absorbing texture cushions skin and grips foundation for smooth, flawless makeup application. Grapefruit and Geranium leave a light, uplifting scent on skin.”
This moisturizing primer from Bobbi Brown contains skincare ingredients plus a moderate amount of silicone.
It thus adds some extra hydration for those with drier skins (and may even function as both a primer and a moisturizer for those with more normal skins).
The silicone in the product consists of cyclopentasiloxane, which is on Credo’s “dirty” list. (EWG does not consider this form of silicone to be any worse than dimethicone, on the other hand.)
The moisturizers in the product include shea butter, squalane and sodium hyaluronate.
In addition to the silicone, ingredients in the product considered to be problematic by EWG include PEG-40 stearate and PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate (polymers with the potential of being contaminated with hazardous substances such as 1,4-dioxane); sodium hydroxide (which is lye); and chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol (synthetic preservatives).
Some other potentially problematic ingredients derived from botanical sources are included, apparently to help to preserve the product as well as to give it a mild citrus/floral type scent.
Despite the fact that this primer contains a long list of questionable ingredients, I have rather liked using it and might be inclined to do so on a regular basis if I felt the need to rely on a silicone-based product.
Unlike the primers with high levels of silicone, this one feels less like I am putting an inpenetrable mask of silicone on my skin and more like I am giving my face just a little bit of protection along with some moisturizing benefits.
I do not feel that the product has irritated my face at all and I also kind of like the smell of it.
Although it contains geranium oil, that seems to be different than the rose geranium oil that consistently bothers my skin.
As with many Bobbi Brown products that I have tried, I think the ingredient list could be cleaner without sacrificing the performance, though.
Although the jar size for this is quite large, Sephora currently is offering a “limited edition” version containing half an ounce of product and costing only $24.
I hope the company continues to offer the smaller size since selling the product only in large tubs makes it impractical for many people who only want to use silicone-based primers on an occasional rather than daily basis.
Size: 1.7 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.5 Stars (2500 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Cyclic Silicone, PEG, Essential Oils, Natural Fragrance, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol)
Think Dirty Rating: 8 (red)
EWG Product Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (3), PEG-40 stearate (3), Grapefruit peel oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Geranium flower oil (4), PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate (3), Sodium hydroxide (4), Limonene (5), Citronellol (4), Geraniol (4), Linalool (3), Chlorphenesin (3), Phenoxyethanol (4). (Also contains: Dimethicone Crosspolymer)
Fragrance Ingredients: Grapefruit peel oil, Geranium flower oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
All Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Shea Butter, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Yeast Extract, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Geranium Flower Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Tetrasodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Fashion Fair Skin Priming Serum – $37
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: High
The Fashion Fair website states, “This serum-primer was specifically designed by Dr. Caroline Robinson to even tone and texture, boost radiance and prep darker skin for seamless, glide-on makeup application. A potent blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid and skin-brightening actives smooths lines, plumps skin and helps fade the appearance of dark spots over time. Suspended powders instantly blur and mattify, for a day-to-night, photo-like finish. Peach-tinted hue and fragrance- free serum is perfect for all skin tones and types.”
Although Fashion Fair is a company with a target market of women with darker skin than mine, I purchased a bottle of this primer and have been impressed by it.
In particular, I feel that using it by itself on my face has blurred my wrinkles in a way that looks entirely natural, allowing me to just touch up my face with concealer without feeling the need to put on liquid foundation at all.
Unlike many primers, this one does not make my face look more shimmery and instead makes it seem that I am not wearing any makeup at all.
In addition, I have felt like this primer (which does not include any cyclic silicones) feels more natural on my face than many primers, rather than giving me the feeling that my skin has been coated in Saran wrap.
Although I don’t feel that my skin has been irritated by this product, I have found it to be unusually difficult to remove without a lot of scrubbing, to the point that I am hesitant to put it on my face at all.
While the product does not contain any cyclic silicones, it does contain several preservatives (including some that are on Credo’s “dirty list”).
A few artificial colors are used, apparently to give the product more of a flesh-toned color.
I think that the color of the product is one reason that it worked well for me without needing to put foundation over it and don’t think that it is too dark for me.
Size: 1 oz.
Fashion Fair Rating: 4.4 Stars (65 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbates)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Polysorbate-60 (3), Aloe vera (3), Polysorbate-20 (3), Sodium hydroxide (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #40 (6). (Also contains Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Citric Acid.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Citrus unshiu peel extract
All Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Coconut Oil, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Niacinamide, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Polysorbate-20, Mica, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Biotin. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Yellow 5, Red 40.
Honest Everything Primer Glow + 2HA – $23
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: Low
The description of this product on the Honest website states, “A Hyaluronic Acid infused illuminating primer that preps, brightens and hydrates your skin for a smooth, dewy canvas. This glow-getting primer leaves your skin smooth, radiant and ready from your everyday look to glam. Infused with glow giving Mica to brighten the skin’s appearance, while the blend of Watermelon, Apple and Lentil Fruit Extracts plus two types of Hyaluronic Acid provide hydration for a fresh, healthy-looking complexion.”
This hydrating primer from Honest is mildly opaque and surprised me by being more effective at reducing the redness of my skin than virtually all the other primers that I have tried (including the green ones).
In addition, it includes only a small amount of dimethicone (silicone) and feels pretty good on my skin.
The product seems to contain quite a bit of mica and gives my skin a shiny look that works okay under makeup but that I do not find appealing at all on its own.
That is too bad as far as I am concerned, since otherwise I might use this product without foundation on occasion when my skin is feeling irritated.
(While Honest does make a matte primer without the shine, it seems to be designed primarily for oil-control purposes and thus seems like it would be inappropriate for me.)
If I were looking to wear foundation every day and wanting to wear something under it to make it last longer, this product might be a good one for that.
It looks very pretty with foundation over it, is hydrating, is reasonably priced, includes just a small amount of silicone, and has not irritated my skin at all.
It seems to have allowed my makeup to last longer as well.
I have heard a few people object to the smell of this product, but I think the smell is slight and not bothersome to me.
Size: 1 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.0 Stars (44 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Sodium Benzoate)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Sodium lactate (3), Sodium benzoate (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate)
Fragrance Ingredients: Watermelon fruit extract, Lentil fruit extract, Apple fruit extract
All Ingredients: Water, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Shea Butter, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Propanediol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Lentil Fruit Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Hectorite, Cellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Jane Iredale Smooth Affair – $50
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (3 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: High
The description of this product reads, “This skin-quenching primer prepares the skin so makeup goes on easier and lasts longer. It also helps maintain skin’s youthful appearance and minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines while bringing out your natural radiance.”
This silicone-based primer with some skincare ingredients is one of Jane Iredale’s more popular products.
In addition to quite a lot of silicones (including cyclic ones), the product contains some coconut-derived ingredients, some oils, some fruit extracts, and a few other botanicals.
In addition to the silicones, EWG flags as problematic citrus extracts (which I suspect are used as preservatives) and zinc PCA (which supposedly helps to control acne and other skin irritation).
The website copy suggests that the product can be mixed with liquid foundation for sheerer coverage, applied as an eyelid primer, or used as a hand and body moisturizer.
The idea that this primer may be gentle enough to be used in the eye area does seem to have some potential benefit since products sold as eyelid primers tend to be on the expensive side and often contain undesirable ingredients. (I’ve not yet tried it for that purpose since I had given my bottle to a friend before reading that.)
My experience with the Jane Iredale primer is that it puts a noticeable layer of silicone with a slightly opaque finish on my skin.
It seems to me less shiny that most of the silicone-based primers that I have tried and thus possibly more appropriate for use on its own without foundation over it.
I have not found that the product has irritated my skin at all or that it has any kind of noticeable scent.
For those who want a primer that contains a high silicone content, this could be a good one to consider.
Ellen’s Comments: “I like this primer a lot.”
Size: 1.7 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.6 Stars (1099 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Cyclic Silicone, PEG, Natural Fragrance)
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (3), Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer (3), Aloe vera (3), Grapefruit extract (4), Zinc PCA (3), Grapefruit peel extract (4). (Also contains: Dimethicone/Vinyl, Dimethicone Crosspolymer)
Fragrance Ingredients: Apple fruit extract, Grapefruit fruit extract, Bitter orange fruit extract, Grapefruit peel extract, Orange peel extract, Honeysuckle flower extract
All Ingredients: Water, Coconut Alkanes, Polysilicone 11, Dimethicone/Vinyl, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Apple Fruit Extract, Pectin, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Maltodextrin, White Tea Leaf Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Grapefruit Extract, Bitter Orange Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Radish Root Extract, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Olive Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Zinc PCA, Sodium Ascorbate, Royal Jelly, Tocopherol, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Orange Peel Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum
Mineral Fusion Hydrating Primer – $28
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (3 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: Low
The description of this product on the Mineral Fusion website states, “Like a tall drink of water for your skin, Mineral Fusion’s Hydrating Primer replenishes lost nutrients and moisture, quenching your skin’s thirst for cushiony bounce and glow. An ultra-calming blend of Aloe, Lavender, and Cucumber soothes dehydrated skin and fills in lines for a flawless foundation setup. Helps encourage firmer, more youthful skin with a blend of wrinkle-fighting, collagen-boosting peptides and natural antioxidants.”
The most noteworthy component of this primer for me is that it has a pretty strong natural floral scent that I am guessing is from the chamomile and arnica montana extracts.
Lavender extract also is listed as an ingredient, though I am not smelling much of that.
While I think the smell is pleasant, those who do not like floral scents may want to avoid this one.
The other ingredients in the primer consist mostly of a variety of processed or synthetic moisturizers; a little bit of silicone; some emulsifying wax; and some preservatives (including phenoxyethanol, which can be irritating to some people).
The silicone used is cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, which I think would automatically put it on Credo’s “dirty list.”
Although EWG does not like the fact that the exact type of wax is not specified, I think that Mineral Fusion’s quality in general is good enough that the wax they are choosing is likely fine.
In general, this product feels more like a wax than a silicone coating to me.
My face seems to have done fine with this product in terms of not being irritated by it, but I’m not sure that it’s been all that helpful in terms of making my makeup perform better.
Ellen’s Comments: “The smell of this product puts me off. The texture is nice. It feels good and is tacky. I put Chanel Les Beiges over it and it seemed to dilute the foundation somewhat.”
Size: 1 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.3 Stars (32 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Phenoxyethanol, PEG)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Emulsifying wax (4), Aloe vera juice (3), Rosa canina oil (3), Phenoxyethanol (4). (Also contains Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Ginkgo biloba extract, Lavender flower extract, Matricaria flower extract, Arnica montana flower extract
All Ingredients: Mineral Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Emulsifying Wax, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Dimethicone (also known as cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone), Hexyl Laurate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Lavender Flower Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, White Tea Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. *Certified organic.
Mineral Fusion Illuminating Primer – $28
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Rosemary Oil, Calendula Officinalis Oil, Matricaria Oil, Cedarwood Bark Oil, Geranium Oil, Orange Oil
Silicone Level: Moderate
The description of this product on the Mineral Fusion website reads, “Show off your natural glow. With actual gold flecks in the mix, Mineral Fusion’s Illuminating Primer brightens your look with the perfect amount of shimmer and shine for a natural glow. Its pretty looks go skin deep: Vitamin C and Orange Fruit Oil help promote radiant, brighter, more even-toned skin, while wrinkle-fighting, collagen-boosting peptides minimize the appearance of fine lines over time.”
I have yet to try this product.
Size: 1 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.2 Stars (70 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils, Gold)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Gold (4), Aloe vera (3), Geranium flower oil (4), Orange oil (5), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Gingko biloba fruit extract, Rosemary leaf oil, Calendula officinalis flower oil, Matricaria flower oil, Cucumber fruit extract, Cedarwood bark oil, Geranium flower oil, Orange fruit oil
All Ingredients: Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Flax Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract*, Olive Leaf Oil*, Rosemary Leaf Oil*, Shea Butter*, Borage Seed Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil*, White Tea Leaf Oil*, Gold, Matricaria Flower Oil*, Aloe Vera Leaf Oil*, Cucumber Fruit Extract*, Cedarwood Bark Oil*, Geranium Flower Oil, Mineral Water, Pentapeptide, Panthenol, Orange Fruit Oil, L-Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Tocopherol. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Mica, Titanium Dioxide. *Certified organic.
Tarte Sea Glowtion Skin Perfector Primer – $32
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (3 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: Low
The description of this product on the Tarte website states, “Get a lit-from-within glow with this instant complexion perfector! Channel your best lighting anytime, anywhere. Inspired by the magical glow effect of bioluminescence. Emits a natural luminous glow onto skin (no glitter!). Micronized pearls reflect light to blur imperfections. 4-in-1 complexion perfector. Prime – lights up skin & works as a makeup magnet to improve & extend foundation wear. Perfect – wear alone to diffuse imperfections for a fresh, radiant look. Glow – add to high points of face to instantly brighten. Nourish – bio-lumi blend promotes better bare skin.”
I have yet to try this product.
Size: 1.35 oz.
Sephora Rating: 3.8 Stars (31 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Polysorbate, Phenoxyethanol)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Polysorbate-60 (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Citric Acid.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Water, squalane, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dipropylene glycol, glycereth-26, betaine, dipentaerythrityl hexa C5-9 acid esters, triisostearin, 1,2-hexanediol, cetearyl olivate, mica, sorbitan olivate, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, C14-22 alcohols, dimethicone, carbomer, tromethamine, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, ceramide NP, polysorbate 60, niacinamide, triethylhexanoin, xanthan gum, cetearyl alcohol, hydrogenated polydecene, phospholipids, cholesterol, sorbitan isostearate, phytosphingosine, betula alba juice, glutathione, tin oxide, silica, sargassum pacificum thallus extract, propanediol, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, citric acid, opuntia ficus-indica callus culture extract, titanium dioxide, iron oxides.
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas – $54
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (3 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Natural Fragrance
Silicone Level: High
The Tatcha website states about this product, “The Liquid Silk Canvas is inspired by bintsuke, the thin layer of soft wax geisha melt into the palm of their hands and massage onto their skin as the last step of their skincare ritual. In addition to creating a smooth, poreless canvas to help their makeup last all day, it protects the skin from makeup and pollution while holding moisture in, all at once. The Liquid Silk Canvas is a multi-tasking, skin-protecting, makeup-perfecting face primer. This featherweight makeup primer does the following for your face and eyes. Blurs – Nourishing silk extracts hydrate the skin and instantly diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections, creating the perfect canvas before makeup application. Primes – Silk powder allows makeup to glide on more evenly and last longer, creating a poreless appearance and minimizing excess shine with a soft focus finish. Protects – This protective barrier derived from botanicals acts as an added layer between makeup and skin, helping to minimize the clogged pores that can lead to breakouts. Anti-pollution natural active ingredients fight immediate attack from environmental stressors and help support the skin’s barrier to act against future attack, visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles and dullness. Enhances – Pink and gold pearl help brighten and even skin tone for a healthy look.”
The box states that the product is made in Japan and that it is formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA or TEA.
It contains at least seven different kinds of silicone and (perhaps even more than other silicone-based primers that I have tried) puts a shiny and seemingly inpenetrable barrier on my skin.
EWG objects primarily to the presence of fragrance in the ingredients list as well as to the silicone, giving the product a quite high rating of 7 (red).
Although I would be happier if the company elaborated on exactly what natural fragrances were being used, I feel that the product has virtually no scent at all and certainly have not been bothered by the scent.
Other ingredients listed as mildly problematic by EWG are distearyldimonium chloride (a quaternary ammonium salt that apparently is used to give a silky feeling to the product) and phenoxyethanol (a preservative).
I don’t think that the product bothered my skin at all on the few occasions that I tried it.
I would be disinclined to use it myself because I do not like having this much silicone on my face though.
Ellen’s Comments: “Very nice primer. Good blurring, seems to even skin tone a bit. Minimal smell.”
Size: 1 oz.
Awards: In Style Best Primer 2022
Sephora Rating: 4.4 Stars (1680 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Cyclic Silicone, Natural Fragrance, PEG, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol)
Think Dirty Rating: 8 (red)
EWG Product Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (3), Dimethicone (3), Natural fragrance (8), PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone (3), Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer (3), Distearyldimonium Chloride (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isopropyl Alcohol)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural fragrance, Tara gum fruit extract
All Ingredients: Saccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Rice Ferment Filtrate*, Cyclopentasiloxane, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Water , Propanediol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Silk Powder, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Yeast Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Disodium Edta, Zinc Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides. *Hadasei-3.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Tarte Sea Quench Hydrating Primer – $32
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Bare Minerals, Bobbi Brown, Credo, Fashion Fair, Honest, Jane Iredale, Mineral Fusion, Pharmaca, Sephora, Smashbox, Tarte, Tatcha, Ulta, and Vitacost.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
