Benefit the POREfessional Matte Primer for dry sensitive skin
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone
Vinyl Dimethicone Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the products alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate mattifying benefits for your dry and sensitive skin, as silica and dimethicone absorb excess oil and blur pores, but cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone can create an occlusive effect that may worsen dryness.
- While the formula is free of harsh ingredients and poses no irritation risk for your dry and sensitive skin, its primary function is mattifying, which is not ideal for addressing dryness or flakiness.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this primer is highly regarded by users with oily and combination skin for its ability to instantly blur pores and create a smooth, matte canvas for makeup. It excels at extending makeup wear and reducing shine. Individuals with very dry skin or those sensitive to silicone-based textures may find it less suitable.
Highlights
Instant pore blurring Mostly Mentioned
- “Blurs pores instantly”
- “skin looks smoother”
- “pores look minimized”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “Keeps oil down”
- “prevents shiny face”
- “great for oily skin”
Extends makeup wear Often Mentioned
- “Makeup stays put”
- “held on for hours”
- “foundation doesn't move”
Velvety skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels like velvet”
- “smooths out skin”
- “soft finish”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “Sucks out moisture”
- “too drying”
- “causes dry patches”
Expensive for size Sometimes Noted
- “Somewhat pricey”
- “expensive for size”
- “not worth cost”
Not for dry skin Sometimes Noted
- “Discourage if very dry”
- “not for dry types”
- “felt too heavy”
Pore coverage limits Rarely Noted
- “Doesn't fill all”
- “still noticeable pores”
- “not dramatic enough”
Sources: lovi.care, musingsofamuse.com, reddit.com, ipsy.com, reviewstream.com, projectvanity.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Benefit The POREfessional Matte Primer for dry sensitive skin?
Lovi advises caution because while it absorbs oil and blurs pores, its heavy mattifying ingredients can worsen dryness and flakiness on dry skin. A makeup primer for this skin needs hydrating and soothing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to provide moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this primer a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone make this primer a poor fit because they can create a barrier that may worsen dryness, while its focus on absorbing oil does not address dry or flaky skin. A product of this type for dry sensitive skin needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as well as soothing components like Centella Asiatica.
What does Cyclopentasiloxane do for dry sensitive skin?
Cyclopentasiloxane acts as a lightweight base that spreads smoothly without causing irritation or stinging on sensitive skin. It is very unlikely to cause any skin reaction, making it gentle enough for dry and reactive skin types.
What does Dimethicone do for dry sensitive skin?
Dimethicone helps protect dry sensitive skin, though it may show varying performance compared to other protectants. This type of product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients that support the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Where does this primer go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This primer is a poor fit for dry sensitive skin because its mattifying ingredients can worsen dryness, though it poses no irritation risk. A makeup primer of this type needs hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin and rich, nourishing oils or butters to comfort and protect dry skin.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You should exercise caution using this primer with retinol on dry and sensitive skin because its mattifying ingredients may worsen dryness and flakiness. When combining them, apply your retinol treatment first, let it absorb, and then use this makeup product last. Dry skin needs a product that brings moisture and strengthens the barrier with ingredients like ceramides and nourishing hydrators.
How often should I use this primer?
This primer is a poor match for your dry and sensitive skin because its mattifying ingredients may worsen dryness and flakiness. A product of this type needs nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin soft and smooth.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This primer is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on dry sensitive skin since it is free of harsh ingredients, but its mattifying formula does not help with dryness or flakiness. A product for this skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients and nourishing oils to keep the face soft and smooth.
Is this primer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Isododecane, Polysilicone-11, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C30-45 Olefin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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