Hyaluronic acid and I became BFF last winter.
I don’t think my skin could have survived the freezing London weather without it. My skin was always dry and flaky before I added a hydrating serum with HA to my skincare routine.
I know, I know, I should have done it before (in fact, you should use HA even if your skin isn’t so dry), but you know what’s it like: you never think you need something until you REALLY need it.
Moving on…
I’m totally crazy about hyaluronic acid now, so I was really excited to find a makeup primer that uses it as a blurring ingredient. I’m talking about Deciem Hylamide HA Blur Prismatic Blurring Surface Hydrator.
What’s In Hylamide HA Blur?
SILICONES TO BLUR SKIN AND HYDE IMPERFECTIONS
If you read UK beauty blogs, you know that everyone is raving about Hylamide HA Blur because finally someone came up with a primer without silicones that gets the job done, and done very well.
That’s BS. If you think this stuff is silicone-free, you obviously haven’t taken a look at the ingredient list or worse, you don’t know how to spot silicones in there.
Truth is, this primer is full of silicones. Out of the first 10 ingredients, 8 are silicones!
In fact, it’s mostly the silicones that make it so good at blurring imperfections. Silicones fill in fine lines and wrinkles, smooth out pores, and just make skin look better, almost flawless.
They don’t even suffocate skin. They have a particular molecular structure made up of large molecules with big gaps in between. Your skin can still perspire through these gaps.
The real catch? The airbrushing effect of silicones is only temporary. As you take off the primer, your wrinkles and large pores are still there.
Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you oily skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Oily Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
HYALURONIC ACID TO BLIND IMPERFECTIONS AND HYDRATE SKIN
Deciem says this primer features hyaluronic acid in a power form to create tiny little prism spheres that refract light and lock in moisture.
The refracting light is what blurs imperfections. The light that hits your pores become so intense, your eyes just can’t see the imperfection anymore. Just a smoother layer of skin.
HA may very well work that way, but, there are so many silicones here that it’s hard to tell how much it contributes to hiding imperfections.
The lock in moisture part, though, is spot on. I’m obsessed with hyaluronic acid because it is SO hydrating. It can attract from the environment, and bind to the skin, up to 1000 times its weight in water.
It deeply hydrates skin, and hydrated skin looks glowy and plump, which makes wrinkles look smaller and the whole face younger. Basically, it’s another way it helps blur out imperfections.
Hyaluronic acid is something everyone can use, too. Yes, it’s a godsend for dry skin, but it also works well for oily skin, because it hydrates without adding any more oil to the skin.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
Texture
Super smooth.
Fragrance
It smells like apples, and I’ve never been a fan of apples. Or better, I like eating apples, I just don’t like the way they smell. But, at least the scent is so subtle, I can put up with it.
P.S. There’s no added fragrance here. What you’re smelling is the ingredients.
How To Use It
You can use it in four ways:
- Apply it over liquid foundation.
- Apply it under liquid foundation.
- Mix it with liquid foundation.
- Alone without makeup.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Deciem Hylamide HA Blur is one of the best primer I’ve ever tried. Not only it blurs out my large pores and fine lines, but it also helps to keep my skin hydrated all day long.
It’s basically a primer with REAL skincare benefits. What’s not to love about that?
It’s very versatile, too. You can use it alone on no makeup makeup days to smooth out the skintone. You can use it as a base for foundation, just to help it even out and hydrate skin. You can even use it on top of makeup to blur out problematic areas if your foundation and concealers alone aren’t enough.
I like to use it only on special occasions. My skin is pretty good (that’s what happens when you have the right routine in place), but it’s good to have the extra smoothing boost when you need it.
One more thing: it has a matte finish. If you have combination or oily skin, you can count on it to keep the shine at bay for a few good hours.
Related: How To Deal With Very Oily Skin
Who Is This For?
It’s suitable for all skin types.
Who Is This NOT For?
If you don’t like silicones, this isn’t for you.
Packaging
It’s pink (and white). Need I say more?! The tube doesn’t fail to catch your eyes and it’s practical, too.
Does Hylamide HA Blur Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Instead of relying on older silica technologies, HA Blur uses an unusual new form of Hyaluronic Acid powder base for its blurring approach. Hyaluronic Acid has never been used for this purpose before and renders HA Blur compatible with all makeup and all skin types, while the blurring effect is exceptional. | It’s true it uses a new blurring technology with hyaluronic acid, but it’s also loaded with silicones. |
| It’s so compatible with makeup that you can apply under or over foundation, or mix it with any liquid foundation for an ultra-high-definition skin finish. | True. |
Price & Availability
£10.00 at Deciem
Do You Need It?
Yes, yes, yes! If you’re looking for a blurring makeup primer, this is one of the best out there.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
caprylyl methicone, aqua (water), peg-12 dimethicone/ppg-20 crosspolymer, hexamethyldisiloxane, polysilicone-11, cyclopentasiloxane, isodecyl neopentanoate, vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, cyclomethicone, peg-10 dimethicone, sodium hyaluronate, pseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharides, sodium salicylate, adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer, methyl methacrylate/peg/ppg-4/3 methacrylate crosspolymer, tocopherol, acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, silica dimethyl silylate, laureth-12, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, isohexadecane, polysorbate-80, dimethicone, cyclohexasiloxane, cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer, vp/va copolymer, cyclotetrasiloxane, amodimethicone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, citric acid, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol¸ ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin.
Love this review though it’s worrying how people can’t read the ingredient list! I’m a huge fan of the old HA too so I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
Sophie x
http://www.thescientificbeauty.com
Sophie, I know, right? There are so many silicones here, I don’t know how people didn’t notice even one! It’s crazy.
Haven’t gotten the chance to test this one out, but would love to. Your review was much helpful!
It’s funny how people mistake Silica for Silicone ^^ As this primer is Silica-free.
Isabel, glad you find it helpful. It’s a great primer, I’m sure you’ll like it.
That’s true. That may have deceived a few people. Although, like Sophie said, that’s a worrying thought.