MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip Review

MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Review

Does MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip has to offer:
 
✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.

  

Key Benefits of MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip:
 

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate (est. ≈22.0%), Microcrystalline Wax (est. ≈4.0%) and Tocopherol (est. ≈2.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically rule out the possibility that Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were available to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy
   

Summary: MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip
, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.
 
That said, there are some things about MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip worth noting.
 
With its high occlusivity, MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.
 
If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it doesn’t contain any humectants. Regardless of your skin type, humectants are vital for optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, pairing MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, can be highly beneficial for your skincare routine.
 
If one of your main reasons for considering MAC Cosmetics MAC Prep + Prime Lip is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, its anti-wrinkle efficacy is questionable. None of the ingredients in this product provide substantial evidence of their anti-wrinkle efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Ceresin
Function:
Origin:
Polybutene
Function:
Origin:
Microcrystalline Wax
Function:
Origin:
Ozokerite
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Tribehenin
Function:
Origin:
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Function:
Origin:
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Isostearate
Function:
Origin:
Vanillin
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
29.0
22.0
4.0
2.0
1.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 29.0 20
10.0
22.0
4.0
2.0
1.0
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
22
4
2
1
All occlusives 29.0 20
10.0
All occlusives
29.0
22.0
4.0
2.0
1.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
0.3
All antioxidants 2.3 3 No
All antioxidants
2.3
Tocopherol
2
Vanillin
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %50
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Ceresin
Est. %11
Function
Origin
CeresinA naturally-derived wax often used to create solid products.
Polybutene
Est. %6
Function
Origin
PolybuteneA petro-based ingredient that thickens and hold products together.
Microcrystalline Wax
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Microcrystalline WaxA white, highly purified, solid substance consisting of petroleum hydrocarbons. It is used in skincare as a strong occlusive and emollient similar to Petrolatum, and also as a formula helper that thickens and stabilizes the product.
Ozokerite
Est. %3
Function
Origin
OzokeriteA petroleum based wax that comes in a variety of forms, all with different melting points and therefore different performance and feel. Overall ozokerite is often used for solid products like lipsticks.
Tocopherol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Ethylhexyl PalmitateA rich emollient without the oily after-feel, making it a popular replacement for mineral oil. It is derived from natural sources such as palm oil and palm kernel oil. Ethylhexyl palmitate is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Tribehenin
Est. %1
Function
Origin
TribeheninA soft, pliable wax that serves as an occlusive moisturizer and emollient. It improves the spreadability of skincare products, including the increased payoff of stick products, and imparts a pleasant, smooth feel upon application.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

A small peptide consisting of three amino acids with anti-wrinkle effects. Together with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, it is a part of the popular anti-wrinkle complex called Matrixyl™ 3000.

Disteardimonium Hectorite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disteardimonium HectoriteA clay ingredient that functions primarily as a viscosity controlling agent that thickens all types of formulas. Disteardimonium hectorite imparts a smooth, velvety feel, making it a luxurious addition to any formula.
Sorbitan Isostearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sorbitan IsostearateA mild yet powerful emulsifier primarily utilized to produce water-in-oil emulsions. It helps to create a particularly rich and substantial emulsion.
Vanillin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
VanillinThe main component of vanilla bean extract. It has a sweet fragrance and flavor.