e.l.f. e l f acne fighting putty primer

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Salicylic Acid
2. Water
3. Dimethicone
4. Propylene Glycol
5. Glycerin
6. Ceresin
7. Paraffin
8. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
9. Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
10. Trimethylsiloxysilicate
11. Polymethylsilsesquioxane
12. Tromethamine
13. Lauryl PEG-10 Trissilylethyl Dimethicone
14. Sodium Chloride
15. Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
16. Dimethicone Crosspolymer
17. Zinc Pca
18. Kaolin
19. Silica
20. Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
21. Triethoxycaprylylsilane
22. Disodium EDTA
23. Ethylhexylglycerin
24. Caprylyl Glycol
25. Phenoxyethanol
26. Titanium Dioxide
27. Chromium Oxide Greens
28. Yellow Iron Oxide

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains fragranceContains PEG

Formulation view BHA-containing matte primer, oil-in-water system with dimethicone, paraffin, and hydrogenated polyisobutene. Uses kaolin, silica, and zinc PCA for sebum control, with HDI crosspolymer to prevent caking. Preserved by phenoxyethanol. Ideal for oily skin, ensuring emulsion stability.

Key ingredients

ANTI-SEBORRHEIC

Salicylic Acid

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

HUMECTANT

Propylene Glycol

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTISTATIC

Ceresin

SKIN CONDITIONING

Paraffin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Other ingredients

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone CrosspolymerTrimethylsiloxysilicatePolymethylsilsesquioxaneTromethamineLauryl PEG-10 Trissilylethyl DimethiconeSodium ChlorideDimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerDimethicone CrosspolymerZinc PcaKaolinSilicaOryza Sativa Bran WaxTriethoxycaprylylsilaneDisodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerinCaprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanolTitanium DioxideChromium Oxide GreensYellow Iron Oxide

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Salicylic Acid

Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Ceresin

Mineral wax for thickening, film-forming, and emulsion stabilization; highly occlusive, non-allergenic

Paraffin

Paraffin wax for occlusion/viscosity control; inert/safe, may affect breathability

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Hydrogenated polyisobutene; petroleum-derived lubricant forming breathable film; high purity, low irritation/comedogenicity.

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Hydrophobic wax for anti-caking; improves slip in powders and cushions

Trimethylsiloxysilicate

Silicate powder, oil-absorbing emollient; insoluble, high levels feel powdery.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.

Tromethamine

pH adjuster, alkaline; precise dosing required

Lauryl PEG-10 Trissilylethyl Dimethicone

Silicone-based nonionic emulsifier/solubilizer; PEG+silicone system, stability testing needed.

Sodium Chloride

Salt for gel viscosity control; used as precipitant in soaps

Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer

Silicone/PEG crosspolymer for film forming and viscosity; low irritation; PEG debate at high conc

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer providing silkiness and viscosity control; for hair and skin; inert but hard to biodegrade.

Zinc Pca

Zinc salt for sebum control and antimicrobial; often paired with PCA sodium, high levels may cause sensitization

Kaolin

Kaolin absorbent and bulk for powders/masks; check for heavy metals and comply with EU colorant limits IV/119

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Oryza Sativa Bran Wax

Rice bran wax for conditioning and film formation; hydrophobic, low comedogenicity.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silane coupling agent at 0.1-0.5%; enhances inorganic filler adhesion, trace use, low toxicity, avoid direct contact with aqueous systems.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention

Chromium Oxide Greens

Green inorganic colorant for pigmentation; non-allergenic, used in color cosmetics

Yellow Iron Oxide

Inorganic yellow pigment for color and coverage; physically stable, generally non-irritating and non-comedogenic in cosmetics.

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