NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer
No public PFAS disclosures. Primer formulation not detailed by brand.
NARS does not publicly disclose PFAS content or manufacturing standards for this primer. Cosmetic primers often contain silicones and polymeric coatings, but specific ingredient transparency is absent here.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Ready-Set-Go Prime & Set Duo
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone, film-forming polymers (unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer is made of, ingredients and materials
NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer is formulated around silicone polymers and film-forming agents, which create a smooth base layer on skin. Silicone is inert and does not leach into skin under normal use; it sits on the surface and washes off with standard cleansing. The brand does not publicly disclose the full ingredient list or specify which film-forming polymers are used, limiting independent assessment of minor additives.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens (unspecified composition)
NARS does not disclose fragrance ingredients or allergen status. Silicone primers often contain fragrance compounds; sensitive or reactive skin may encounter undisclosed allergens.
Preservative system irritation (not detailed by brand)
No public ingredient list provided for this primer. Preservatives required to prevent microbial growth in emulsified silicone formulas may trigger contact sensitization in a small population; identity and concentration are unknown.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or testing reports document heavy metal contamination in NARS primers. Cosmetic manufacturers are regulated for lead in pigments, but brand-specific testing results are not publicly available for this product.
Source, FDA ↗Silicone film buildup on skin (non-toxic but functional concern)
Silicone is not absorbed and does not bioaccumulate. Repeated application without thorough cleansing may create visible residue; this is aesthetic rather than a health hazard.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public testing or regulatory action has identified these contaminants in NARS formulations. Risk is not established for this brand, though full ingredient transparency is absent.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
NARS does not publish detailed ingredient breakdowns or third-party safety certifications for this product. The brand has no public stance on formulation hazards like fragrance allergens or preservative systems. No recalls or established controversies specific to this primer are on record. Transparency on manufacturing standards or restricted substance testing is not available.
How it compares in its category
Silicone primers are the standard in this category and carry lower inherent hazard than water-based alternatives with higher preservative loads. NARS is a prestige cosmetics brand with general regulatory compliance but does not differentiate on safety disclosures. Similar silicone primers from other brands (e.g., Smashbox, Benefit) follow comparable formulation patterns with comparable disclosure gaps.
If you buy it
Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin before foundation; silicone does not require special removal beyond normal cleanser use. If redness, itching, or sensitivity develops, discontinue and patch-test on inner arm before reuse. Store at room temperature away from direct heat; silicone primers do not degrade from normal storage. A standard tube lasts 2, 3 months with typical application; discard if odor or separation occurs, indicating possible preservative breakdown.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- NARS has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer?
- mineral powder, silicones, mica
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen sensitization
- mineral powder, silica, mica, talc
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Talc inhalation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral pigments, glycerin, plant extracts, silicones
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.