Bare Minerals · Foundation & Primer
bareMinerals Prime Time Original Foundation Primer
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
bareMinerals says it no longer produces any products containing intentional PFAS ingredients, including Teflon-type coating. We record that as an unverified brand claim.
Brand says: “bareMinerals says it no longer produces any products containing intentional PFAS ingredients, including PTFE.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Mineral pigments, silica, dimethicone
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What bareMinerals Prime Time Original Primer is made of, ingredients and materials
bareMinerals Prime Time Original is formulated with mineral pigments, silica, and dimethicone (a silicone conditioning agent). Mineral pigments are inert oxides and iron oxides that do not bioaccumulate; silica is a thickening and texture agent; dimethicone is a non-penetrating film former used widely in cosmetics to smooth application. This combination is typical of mineral-based primers and does not involve synthetic dyes, talc, or known allergen carriers.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic contaminant)
Dimethicone and silica are not raw materials typically contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during synthesis, though trace contamination in any cosmetic is theoretically possible depending on supplier and manufacturing. No specific testing or contamination report is on record for this primer.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Iron oxides and mineral pigments used in bareMinerals formulations have not been reported to contain lead, cadmium, or arsenic above cosmetic safety limits. No regulatory action or recall on record for this product.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are listed in the known ingredient composition of Prime Time Original. Standard cosmetic preservatives in mineral primers do not typically include formaldehyde donors.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
BareMinerals' mineral primer line explicitly positions itself as talc-free. No talc or asbestos presence has been reported for this product line.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Prime Time Original is fragrance-free, reducing the risk of contact dermatitis from essential oils or synthetic fragrance compounds common in other primers.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Bare Minerals markets itself as a mineral cosmetics brand with a stated commitment to PFAS avoidance, and a PFAS-free claim is on record for this line, though independent verification of that claim is not in the public domain. The brand does not report significant safety controversies in the foundation or primer segment. Ingredient disclosure is available on packaging and the company website, which supports consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Mineral-based primers like this one are positioned as alternatives to synthetic silicone-heavy or talc-containing primers. The dimethicone content is standard for slip and wear; silica load is moderate compared to heavy-texture primers. Compared to water-based or oil-based primers, mineral primers carry lower concern for phthalates and have no documented history of microplastic shedding in this formulation type.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent separation of mineral pigments over time. Primers are not heated during normal use, so thermal degradation is not a concern. Replace if the product shows color change, separation, or odor change, which signals degradation. Discontinue use immediately if redness, swelling, or itching develops; patch test on inner arm before full face application if you have sensitive skin.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Bare Minerals has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More foundation & primer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.