TL;DR — Quick Answer
Check the first five ingredients on the label. If you see dimethicone, cyclomethicone, or cyclopentasiloxane, the primer is silicone-based. If the first ingredients are water (aqua), glycerin, or hyaluronic acid, it is water-based.
SHEGLAM labels each primer clearly — the table below maps every primer in the lineup by base type so you can match it to your foundation before purchasing.
How to Read Primer Ingredients for Base Type
The base type of any primer is determined by its first five ingredients, listed in order of concentration. Here is how to identify each type:
Silicone-based indicators: Dimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethiconol, or any ingredient ending in "-cone" or "-siloxane" in the top five positions.
Water-based indicators: Water (aqua), glycerin, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera juice as the first ingredient, with no silicone derivatives in the top five.
This distinction matters because water and silicone do not bind. Layering mismatched bases causes pilling, separation, and patchy foundation coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Birthday Skin Primer silicone-based or water-based?
Birthday Skin is a silicone-based primer, rated 4.88 stars from 8,920+ reviews. Approximately 90% of buyers report optimal results when paired with silicone-based foundations. Using it under water-based foundations can cause patchiness unless a 60-second set time is observed between layers.
Is the Good Grip Blueberry+AHA Primer water-based or silicone-based?
Good Grip Blueberry+AHA is a water-based, silicone-free primer rated 4.80 stars from 2,800+ reviews. Approximately 93% of buyers report optimal results with water-based foundations. Using it under silicone-based foundations can cause pilling or balling, which is a base-mismatch issue, not a product defect.
Is the Melon Melt Primer water-based or silicone-based?
Melon Melt is a water-based serum primer rated 4.80 stars from 1,850+ reviews. The silicone-free, niacinamide-infused gel is designed for water-based foundation pairing. Approximately 90% of buyers report seamless layering with hydrating and dewy foundations without pilling.
Is the Glacier Glo Primer water-based or silicone-based?
Glacier Glo is a water-based primer rated 4.75 stars from 850+ reviews. The silicone-free formula uses sea water minerals for smoothing. About 88% of buyers report best results with water-based foundations, with the cooling sensation providing an added comfort benefit during application.
Is the Camera On Smooth & Blur Primer water-based or silicone-based?
Camera On is a silicone-based primer rated 4.91 stars from 12,450+ reviews. The pore-blurring, mattifying formula contains dimethicone as a primary ingredient. About 90% of buyers report best results with silicone-based foundations for a smooth, airbrushed finish lasting 6-8 hours.
