Cassie’s cautious: Hi Beauty Brains, wonderful site- I check it everyday! Today I have a question regarding using Monistat chafing gel as a primer for your makeup. I frequent other makeup blogs and one girl swears by this product as her makeup primer. She says the texture is the same as the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, as well as the Camellia Rose Skin Soothing Primer. It’s definitely a nice cheaper alternative to expensive primers. I’m concerned about trying something that it was not designed. What do you think about using Monistat Chafing Gel as face primer?
The Right Brain’s reassuring:
You’re smart to be cautious about proper product usage, Carrie, but in this case there seems to be little cause for alarm. This Monistat formula looks very suitable for use as a make up primer.
What are makeup primers?
Makeup primers are used to lay down a nice smooth surface that powders can evenly adhere to. And when it comes to forming smooth surfaces, it’s tough to find better ingredients than silicones. There are TONS of silicones to choose from but here are a couple of key ones:
Dimethicone: Forms a water proof barrier. Can feel heavy if not properly formulated.
Cyclomethicone/cyclopentasiloxane: Very lightweight spreading agent. Mostly evaporates after you’ve applied it.
Dimethicone cross polymers: These are dimethicone combined with another molecule and they can have many different properties depending on what that other molecule is. One type of cross polymer gives the powdery smooth finish that Monistat talks about.
Does Monistat make a good make up primer?
Let’s take a look at the main ingredients in Monistat as compared to makeup primers like the ones Carrie asked about.
Monistat Chafing Gel
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica
Smashbox Photofinish Primer
Cyclomethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer
Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer
Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Squalane
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Considering the similarity in ingredients, it’s not surprising that some women say Monistat performs well as a primer. It’s got the right kind of silicone goodies so if you like the way it works on your skin with your make up, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with using it on your face. Especially if it’s cheaper!
What do you think? Do you feel weird using products for other parts of your body on your face? Have you tried this product? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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just wanted to mentio that proactive oil free moisture contains:
Dimethicone
Crosspolymer
Cyclomethicone
and is a great primer that locks in the moisture that makeup can take from the skin =]
Am I the only one on the planet who finds the “cones” occlusive and pore-blocking? Everytime I use a formulation that is loaded with one (or more) I get clogged pores and breakouts. (and I am WAY passed the age that any of that should be happening). So, I avoid them totally. Anyone else with the same issue?
Yep, I’m with you, Ann. Every single time I put something with ‘cones in it on my face, breakout city! This is especially true of makeup primers…and I’ve tried many of them. I would love to find a primer without any kind of silicone, because it does do what it’s supposed to do (smoothes skin before foundation). I hear there’s one from LORAC that is water based.
I saw the post about monistat on the website discussed in the question and I have been wondering the same thing ever since! I’m so glad someone thought to send in this question, and thanks so much for the answer. The idea seems odd, but if it works, is safe, and is that cheap I’m willing to give it a try!
I’ve talked about clogged pore issues myself from using makeup primers on the forum of this website. And just like Ann, at my age I’m usually way past acne problems. It took me a while before I put “two and two together” but once I became suspicious, I did a search on the internet. Sure enough: Other people have the same problem.
Thumbs down from me on using makeup primers.
I also use this product on the palms of my hand when applying faux tan to help with the staining tanners can do.
im so glad this question helped, alot of people are against proativ as they say it apparently “bleaches” and dries out you skin. my skin has never felt better by using the moisturiser also as a primer and am known as the girl with the great skin, i even have people touching my skin telling me it feels like a babies bottom another thing i didn’t mention is that it contains sunscreen without any oil which is a great plus. because it is oil free even if i have the odd pimple it wont irritate the surface although i do dab methalayted spirits on the pimple for a few seconds before moisturising if this is the case
i use dermoligica’s special cleansing gel and nivea visages toner before the moisturiser
btw im trying that faux tanning idea =] thanks!
Another vote for clogged pores from ‘cones. Wish I could use them, but it just ruins my skin with breakouts.
I think anything that wont hurt your tender areas elsewhere should be ok for your face! K-Y Intrigue is pretty much pure dimethicone and at $20 a bottle I’ve used it to replace the Monistat product to reduce chaffing in the vulva area. I think I’ll try it as a makeup base!
Does anyone know if dimethicone/monistat formula/ky intrigue is safe to use under your eyes? That’s were I would most benefit from a primer bfr concealor but there doesn’t seem to be much info on the internet. Thanks!
Considering Monistat contains Dimethicone which “can be heavy” according to this website and the Smashbox does not, could this be something that causes breakouts/oilier skin than usual?
Anything with “cones” is extremely clogging. As a make-up artist I prefer to use waterbased primers…why would you want to use something synthetic on your skin if you didn’t have to? Lorac’s aquaprime makeup primer is a good choice its oil,frag,silicone and paraben free and contains sodium hylorunate to plump lines and won’t slide your make-up around like most silicone based primers. One try and you will see the difference!
Ana: Thanks for your comments but please check your facts next time. Silicones are not generally pore clogging. Look it up in any reference that provide comedogenicity ratings for cosmetic ingredients.
If silicones aren’t very comedogenic, is there a reason why they cause breakouts on certain skins?
Thanks for the details on the ingredients, now I understand why some primers feel heavier!
THANK YOU! I think I have finally seen the light! I have struggled with break-outs for years & I too am past the age to be dealing with them! All I have ever used has been oil-free, non-comedogenic, etc, etc, etc. Never thought about the “cones” but am starting to see that a lot of stuff I use has dimethicone & I have to wonder. So now I am searching for products without any “cones” to do a test on myself & see if my problem skin clears up. Any ideas on good products with no “cones”?
I recently have read about Monistat Bikini Chafing Gel being a make up primer. So, this evening I went to walmart and purchased it (for about $6 with tax) and tested it out. I put a TINY amount on one hand, and none on the other, then tried some swatches of eye shadows. You really can tell a difference. I tried it on my face as a primer before my foundation and it does make my skin feel smooth and hydrated. It is still in the testing phase but so far i give it two thumbs up!
I also use a little of the Monistat Soothing Care on my hair to smooth the fly aways after I dry it. Just put a little in your palm,rub your hands together and smooth it through your hair as you would any anti-frizz product. It doesn’t leave a greasy feeling like the hair products do.
It seems to me that, while silicone-based polymers may not be known for clogging pores, they are known creating a barrier that seals moisture in and keeps substances (like your makeup products) out. Is it possible this effect could have the unpleasant side effect of trapping dirt, bacteria, and oils on the surface in causing eruptions? If that is the case, maybe it would help to take extra care prior to using the chafing gel or other silicone containing products by cleaning your skin well perhaps with a toner or astringent. If that doesn’t help, then maybe only spreading the gel/primer in areas that need extra help like around your eyes or around your mouth where there may be fine lines instead of all over the face.
@ Carol: Great tip! That makes a lot of sense because dimethicone is sometimes added to shampoos and other haircare products as it coats the hair adding to manageability and softness.
would this be safe for use as an eye makeup primer ? many products that are ‘safe’ for your face are unsafe for use around the eye area . is this product any different ?
I use Jane Iredale’s Absence Control Primer product. I use it overtop of my moisturizer and/or liquid foundation (I use Jane Iredale’s Dreamtint and sometimes switch it up to her Pressed powder foundation spf 20).
You can apply the primer with the included sponge and/or your foundation brush. It goes on nice and clear and smooths the skin. It doesn’t cause any outbreak on my face. Just go to http://www.janeiredale.com and view the product description.
Safeway has Biore skin boosting serum 1/2 off right now. Formula’s similar to a lot of light primers. Feels tacky after it dries. It contains fragrance though + some ingredients that might irritate certain sensitivities(but doesn’t everything have ingredients that irritate some and not others?)…
It’s on sale ’till next month, just $4.99 + tax.
Smoothes skin but makes it feel tacky after drying. Should hold on to make up well.
I just noticed that my makeup primer, my hair serum, and my personal lubricant all have the same first two ingredients: cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone. They all work very well. I might try simplifying and just using the personal lubricant for everything, since it’s unscented.
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FOR THOSE WHO ARE LEARY ABOUT USING THIS AS A MAKE UP PRIMER….DO IT! ITS THE BEST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE OILY PRONE SKIN. I PROMISE THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! I RATHER SPEND $6 VS $28 AT MAC ANYDAY!
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