Woodruff, A, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of a 2% salicylic acid cleanser for improvement of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Published 2013 April 1. Mármol I, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Jiménez-Moreno N, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, Rodríguez-Yoldi MJ. Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(6):1137. Published 2017 May 25. doi:10.3390/ijms18061137 M: It's OK, E. I've tried two primers recently that have really been working for me – so much so that I've been using them every day. Let me tell you about them. First: Garnier Perfect Blur. A dinky tube of smoke and mirrors. Milani M, Sparavigna A. The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.

Curnow A, Owen SJ. An Evaluation of Root Phytochemicals Derived from Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus as Potential Natural Components of UV Protecting Dermatological Formulations. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7053897. doi:10.1155/2016/7053897 Zamil DH, Khan RM, Braun TL, Nawas ZY. Dermatological uses of rice products: Trend or true?. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(11):6056-6060. doi:10.1111/jocd.15099 Consider Your Individual Needs: Like any skincare product, choose your blurring primer based on your unique skin concerns. For example, if you’re oily and acne-prone, opt for a lightweight, water-based primer with non-comedogenic and blemish-fighting ingredients like Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer. Conversely, if you’re dry or combination skinned, adding a blurring primer with hydrating and moisturizing benefits to your routine—like Charlotte Tilbury WONDERGLOW Instant Soft-Focus Beauty Flash—can help up those essential moisture levels while imparting its pore-minimizing magic. The best blurring primer overall is the DHC Velvet Skin Coat on account of its pore-minimizing, blemish-diffusing, skin-enhancing effects that simultaneously mattify and moisturize. If you're on a budget, consider the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime, and if you can swing the steeper price, the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer is truly amazing. Bamford E, et al. Mesoporous magnesium carbonate for use in powder cosmetics. International journal of cosmetic science vol. 43,1 (2021): 57-67. doi:10.1111/ics.12670

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M: He is. It's the makeup equivalent of putting on sheer nylons. It's still your legs and you can still see the varicose veins and the lumps. But overall, you look better.

I am a huge fan of silicone based primers and can happily say that the newGarnier Perfect Blur rank very highly on my list. Both are affordable, more than do what they claim to and are well priced. If pores, excess oil and lines are your problematic areas I urge you to give them a whirl. Suh S, Pham C, Smith J, Mesinkovska NA. The banned sunscreen ingredients and their impact on human health: a systematic review. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(9):1033-1042. doi:10.1111/ijd.14824 E: So I did, and it was all better. However, initially I only used it as a highlighter, ignoring the bit where it says "PRIMER" in fat capitals on the tube. It is a good highlighter. No Edward Cullen-esque supernatural glow.

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E: Well, the tube does say it is "Concentré de lumière". Concentrated light (Facegoop Science Disclaimer: unlikely). So I gave it a shot and I looked marginally less haggard, I think. I tried to compare the two sides of my face like in this advert, but it was a complete disaster, like an impossibly hard "spot the difference" puzzle. I am sorry. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. Published 2017 Dec 27. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180

E: Well. First, it sat in my handbag for several weeks because I was afeared. Then when I opened it I had to put in a distress call to you: "M, THIS IS JUST SOME SCUMMY PEARLESCENT WATER IN A TUBE, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?" (the hot weather and extended stay in my handbag had separated it).M: I thought he was more like the knowledgeable caretaker. Ooooh, he's seen things all right. He has seen. THINGS.

Garnier Ultimate Blends promises to care for your hair and the planet. The eco-friendly hair care range caters for every hair type, with cleansing shampoos, light-weight conditioners and intensely nourishing hair masks as well as its first solid Shampoo Bar range, with zero plastic waste. Piazza S, Martinelli G, Vrhovsek U, et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(6):1119. Published 2022 Jun 5. doi:10.3390/antiox11061119 Schagen S. Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics4020016

Zheng Y, Wan M, Chen H, et al. Clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of an antioxidant optimized 1.5% salicylic acid (SA) cream in the treatment of facial acne: an open, baseline-controlled clinical study. Skin Res Technol. 2013;19(2):125-130. doi:10.1111/srt.12022