e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
by e.l.f. Cosmetics · makeup
Editor's Take
The grip is the point, and e.l.f. nails it; the catch is a very non-clean PEG-and-dye base under the gel.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 7.8 / 10
- Modern Tech: 6.5 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 2.3 / 10
- Sustainability: 6.9 / 10
The Verdict
Strong efficacy is the fair read here: PEG-150 Distearate and PEG-240/HDI Copolymer give foundation something tacky to grab, not just a slick silicone blur. Niacinamide, Glycerin, and Sodium Hyaluronate add a little skincare padding, so it is more useful than a plain gluey gel. The trade-off is the poor clean profile, with Polysorbate 80, multiple PEGs, Phenoxyethanol, and synthetic dyes doing normal mass-market work. Worth it for long-wear makeup adhesion, not for a strict clean-beauty shelf.
Full INCI list
Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-150 Distearate, Polysorbate 80, Niacinamide, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Water, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Menthol, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-9, 1,2-Hexanediol. May Contain (+/-): Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 5 (CI 19140).