nars Radiance 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. Water
2. Caprylyl Methicone
3. Dipropylene Glycol
4. Propanediol
5. Dimethicone
6. Butyloctyl Salicylate
7. Lactobacillus Ferment
8. Isododecane
9. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
10. Trisiloxane
11. Polysorbate 60
12. Trimethylsiloxysilicate
13. Dextrin Palmitate
14. Phenoxyethanol
15. C14-22 Alcohols
16. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
17. Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer
18. Panthenol
19. Fragrance
20. Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
21. Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
22. Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
23. Disodium EDTA
24. C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
25. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
26. Tocopheryl Acetate
27. Sodium Hyaluronate
28. Butylene Glycol
29. Pentylene Glycol
30. Tin Oxide
31. Potassium Sorbate
32. Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
33. Ethylhexylglycerin
34. Ascorbyl Palmitate
35. Mica
36. Red 4
37. Yellow 5

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains PEGContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Formulation view Water-soluble base combined with silicones and volatile solvents for a lightweight primer texture. Includes lactobacillus ferment, panthenol, and moisturizers to assist brightening and smoothing. Contains titanium dioxide and colorants. Suitable for all skin types as a makeup base, providing isolation and hydration. Formulator's note: The synergy of silicones and polyols provides excellent spreadability while balancing long-lasting makeup performance with freshness.

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

SKIN CONDITIONING

Caprylyl MethiconeLactobacillus Ferment

FRAGRANCE

Dipropylene Glycol

SOLVENT

Propanediol

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

HAIR CONDITIONING

Butyloctyl Salicylate

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Isododecane

Other ingredients

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerTrisiloxanePolysorbate 60TrimethylsiloxysilicateDextrin PalmitatePhenoxyethanolC14-22 AlcoholsHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP CrosspolymerPanthenolFragranceEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit ExtractDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl GlutamideDibutyl Lauroyl GlutamideDisodium EDTAC12-20 Alkyl GlucosideDipotassium GlycyrrhizateTocopheryl AcetateSodium HyaluronateButylene GlycolPentylene GlycolTin OxidePotassium SorbateHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic AcidEthylhexylglycerinAscorbyl PalmitateMicaRed 4Yellow 5

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

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

Caprylyl Methicone

Volatile silicone, fresh feel, does not absorb oil, used in foundations and cushions.

Dipropylene Glycol

Solvent for essential oils; better humectancy than PEG

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

Dimethicone

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

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Oil-soluble exfoliating emollient; avoid for aspirin-sensitive users and high-concentration leave-on products

Lactobacillus Ferment

Probiotic ferment filtrate for conditioning; complex mix, check allergens and preservative residues

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.

Trisiloxane

Used as anti-foaming and lubricant; provides silkiness, used at low levels.

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

Trimethylsiloxysilicate

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

Dextrin Palmitate

Modified polysaccharide ester for emulsifying and anticaking; mild cleanser; used in solid soaps or powders.

Phenoxyethanol

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

C14-22 Alcohols

Fatty alcohol blend for emulsion stability and texture; may contain myristyl alcohol, moderate comedogenic risk.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer

Film former and hair conditioner complex for styling and protection; wheat protein may trigger allergies.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Fragrance

Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components

Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract

Evodia fruit extract for skin conditioning; bitter, alkaloid-rich, avoid long-term acidic compatibility

Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide

Amide-based conditioning agent for hair luster; synthetic surfactant

Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide

Butyl lauroyl glutamide; film-forming agent for hair and skin conditioning, common in haircare.

Disodium EDTA

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

C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside

Non-ionic surfactant for mild cleansing and emulsification; plant-based glucoside, suitable for sensitive and baby skin.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate for moisturizing/soothing; inhibits 5-LOX, water-soluble, for sensitive skin.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Tin Oxide

Inorganic mineral pigment providing opacity and suspension; requires skin safety assessment, typically used in sunscreens or powder colorants.

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate

Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid

Bioactive marker in Evening Primrose Oil, antioxidant and soothing; used at low levels

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Ascorbyl palmitate, lipophilic Vit C ester, antioxidant; oxidizes, needs light/air protection.

Mica

Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required

Red 4

Synthetic dye for coloration; use within legal limits.

Yellow 5

Synthetic dye for color; known allergen, may irritate sensitive skin.

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