More than a Pro, Benefit The POREfessional resembles an amateur to me. You know those budding photographers who take awful shots and then slap a soft focus filter or something like that onto them in post-production, hoping that’ll hide all imperfections?
That’s exactly how Benefit The POREfessional “works”…
What’s In Benefit The POREfessional?
SILICONES
Like most makeup primers, Benefit The POREfessional is silicone-based. That’s pretty much all it contains…
Makes sense. Silicones are the quickest way to make large pores and fine lines look smaller. They do it by filling it every nook and cranny in your skin.
Plus, silicones also give slip to the primer, allowing it to glide smoothly on, and a velvety feel to the skin.
I know a lot of you don’t like to use silicones because you think they don’t allow the skin to breathe. That’s a myth.
Skin can’t breathe. It doesn’t have lungs. But it perspires. And silicones don’t get in the way of that. Thank theirspecial molecular structure, made of big molecules with wide spaces between them, for that.
The real problem with silicones is that their effect is only aesthetic. Remove them, and your pores and fine lines are still there, as big as before.
Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
FILM FORMERS
Film formers are another common ingredient in makeup primers. They work like this:
When they dry, they contract, providing a tightening effect. This results in a “blurred look” that makes pores, fine lines, and wrinkles look smaller.
But just like with silicones, the effect is temporary. Take them off, and your large pores are still there.
Texture
Its lightweight beige texture dries to a transparent, matte finish.
Fragrance
A synthetic blend of citrusy with a medicinal twist. Unpleasant, but it doesn’t hang around for long.
How To Use It
After skincare but before makeup. Reapply during the day as needed (no, it won’t ruin your makeup).
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Performance & Personal Opinion
Warning: Benefit POREfessional feels siliconey. I personally dig that familiar silky texture, but I know some people can’t stand it.
A silicone base is a blessing and a curse. Let’s start with the positives: silicones do help blur out every imperfection on your skin, so that both your pores and fine lines look smaller for a while.
Plus, they help your makeup last longer too. But only for a few hours. After that, you have to reapply everything (just on the areas where you need it).
The downside? There are two. First off, silicones don’t have any deeper benefits for your skin. They don’t hydrate it, fight wrinkles or anything like that. They’re more makeup than skincare, if you know what I mean.
Products high in silicones can also cause pilling. It’s probably happened to you before. You slather on primer, then follow up with foundation, concealer, and… what the heck is going on?
Everything is suddenly flaking on your skin! That’s pilling and it’s very common with this primer. Be careful what you layer on top!
P.S. Check out my tips on how to deal with pilling here.
Who Is This For?
Anyone looking for a quick fix to hide pores.
Who Is This NOT For?
- Anyone who hates silicones
- Anyone who wants something that reduces pores, not just their appearance
Packaging
Greenish tube. Pretty, hygienic, and practical.
Does Benefit The POREfessional Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| With the POREfessional quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! | True. |
| Silky, lightweight balm. | True. |
| The translucent formula of the POREfessional contains a vitamin E derivative known to protect skin from free radicals. | Notice how it doesn’t say it protects skin from free radicals. It only says that Vitamin E derivative it contains is known to do so. |
| Oil-free. | True. |
| Helps makeup stay put. | True. |
Price & Availability
$32.00/£29.00 at Asos, Cult Beauty, Escentual, Feel Unique, Sephora and Ulta
Do You Need It?
Only if you’re looking for a quick fix that masks large pores temporarily.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Becca Ever-Matte Powerless Priming Perfector ($39.00)
- Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner ($45.00)
- Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($54.00)
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Limonene, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, BHT. N?? 04932/N
I have used this one for some time now and while I agree with you that it is purely an aesthetic solution, it is a good enough product for me.
However, I tried the stay flawless 15 hour primer and hated it. It was extremely tacky, like putting lgue on your face. Did it help the make up last longer? Yes it did but it was almost impossible to APPLY and BLEND that make up!
Tirurit, the results are nice, I agree. It’s just that at this price point, and with a name like that, I expected something more.
Oh dear, that sounds awful! I haven’t tried that and will stay way away of it now. Thanks for the warning!
As always thanks for a very honest review. I actually prefer the old Mac skin face base primer which contains some skin benefits and the Max Factor Facefinity primer.
Vivella, my pleasure. Those are very nice indeed.
I haven’t used it, but it’s too expensive for what it does! There are other primers out there at much lower prices that fill in the pores! 😉 x
Stavroula, I agree. It’s not a bad product, but it is definitely overpriced.