Power Grip Primer

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is worth buying if you want a budget-friendly primer that helps makeup last longer and adds light hydration. At $10 for 0.811 oz—or $12.33 per ounce—it delivers a sticky, makeup-gripping finish, a 4.4/5 rating, and a huge 28,900 reviews, which is impressive for a drugstore primer.

So, if you're wondering whether Power Grip Primer lives up to the hype, my answer is yes for most people—especially if you like a tacky primer that helps foundation hold on better through the day. It's not the best fit for everyone, but for dryness, longer wear, and overall value, it's one of the stronger options in the drugstore aisle.

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer review: quick summary

• Product: e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
• Category: Foundation
• Subcategory: Primer
• Price: $10.00
• Size: 0.811 oz
• Price per oz: $12.33
• Rating: 4.4/5
• Review count: 28,900
• Texture: Gel-based
• Key claim: Gripping formula that extends makeup wear
• Highlighted skincare benefit: Hyaluronic acid for hydration
• Targets: Dryness
• Best for skin types: All skin types
• Clean beauty: Yes
• Cruelty-free: Yes
• Vegan: Yes
• Brand positioning: Eyes Lips Face offers quality beauty at incredible prices in the drugstore tier

Where to buy it right now

1. Amazon: $9.68 (in stock)
2. Walmart: $9.84 (in stock)
3. CVS: $10.00 (in stock)
4. Target: $10.00 (in stock)
5. Ulta: $10.00 (in stock)

Honestly, Amazon has the lowest listed price at $9.68, which is $0.32 less than the standard $10.00 retail price. Walmart is close behind at $9.84, or $0.16 less.

What is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?

Power Grip Primer is a gel-based gripping primer with hyaluronic acid designed to prep skin before foundation. The idea is simple: create a slightly tacky surface so makeup has something to cling to, while also giving the skin a layer of hydration so foundation doesn't catch as easily on dry patches.

This primer sits in the sweet spot between makeup prep and light skincare. It isn't just a silicone-slick blurring base. Instead, it leans into a gripping formula with humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, plus support ingredients like niacinamide and dimethicone.

Who it's for:

• People who want their foundation to wear longer
• Anyone dealing with dryness under makeup
• Shoppers who want a drugstore primer at $10 instead of prestige pricing
• People looking for clean beauty, cruelty-free, and vegan options
• Most skin types, since the brand lists it as suitable for all skin types

Who may need to think twice:

• Anyone who hates a sticky or tacky primer texture
• People who prefer a matte, powdery, or blurring finish over a grippy one
• Those who want a primer focused on pore-filling rather than hydration and hold

What ingredients are in e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?

The ingredient list is short, straightforward, and refreshingly easy to understand. That's one reason this formula stands out. There are only 11 listed ingredients, and nearly all of them have EWG scores of 1, with phenoxyethanol at 2. From a safety-profile standpoint, that's pretty reassuring.

Here is the full ingredient list in order:

1. Water (Aqua)
2. Glycerin
3. Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate)
4. Niacinamide
5. Dimethicone
6. Carbomer
7. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
8. Propanediol
9. Phenoxyethanol
10. Ethylhexylglycerin
11. Sodium Hydroxide

Ingredient analysis: is Power Grip Primer actually good for skin?

Short answer: yes, the formula is well-balanced for a primer, especially at $10. It's not trying to act like a full treatment serum, but it includes ingredients that can make skin look smoother and feel more comfortable under makeup.

1. Water (Aqua)

This is the base of the formula and acts as the main solvent. It has hydrating benefits, an EWG score of 1, and a low-risk safety profile. In a gel primer like this, water helps create that fresh, cooling spreadability rather than a heavy silicone slip.

2. Glycerin

Glycerin is the second ingredient, which matters. Ingredient order gives you a rough sense of prominence, and having glycerin at number 2 tells me hydration is a major part of the formula. It's a humectant that pulls water into the skin, supports the barrier, and helps reduce that tight, dehydrated feeling that can make foundation look patchy.

It also has an EWG score of 1 and is considered low risk.

3. Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate)

This is one of the hero ingredients in Power Grip Primer, and it makes sense that e.l.f. highlights it in the product description. Sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid known for hydrating, plumping, and smoothing the skin. It has an EWG score of 1 and a low-risk profile.

For dry or dehydrated skin, this can help foundation sit more evenly. I wouldn't expect the same level of hydration you'd get from a dedicated serum, but in a makeup primer, it's a thoughtful addition.

4. Niacinamide

This is where the formula gets more interesting from a skin-benefit perspective. Niacinamide is listed as the fourth ingredient, which is relatively high up for a primer. It offers barrier-strengthening, oil-control, brightening, and anti-inflammatory benefits, with an EWG score of 1 and low risk.

That means this primer isn't only for dry skin, even though it targets dryness. Niacinamide can also help balance things out for combination or oilier skin types, which supports the brand's claim that it's suitable for all skin types.

5. Dimethicone

Dimethicone gives the formula some smoothing and protective slip so the gel doesn't feel overly sticky or rough. It has smoothing, protective, and emollient benefits, an EWG score of 1, and a comedogenic rating of 1/5, which is low.

That's a useful detail if you're acne-prone and wary of silicones. A 1/5 comedogenic rating suggests low clogging potential for most users.

6-8. Texture and hydration support ingredients

These ingredients are less flashy but very important for how the primer actually behaves:

• Carbomer: thickening and stabilizing, EWG 1
• Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer: thickening and stabilizing, EWG 1
• Propanediol: hydrating solvent, EWG 1

Together, they help create the gel texture and that signature grip. Without these, the formula wouldn't have the same cling or consistency.

9-11. Preservation and pH balance

The final ingredients keep the product stable and safe to use:

• Phenoxyethanol: preservative, EWG 2, low risk
• Ethylhexylglycerin: preservative booster and conditioner, EWG 1
• Sodium Hydroxide: pH-adjusting, EWG 1

These are standard functional ingredients, and nothing here raises major red flags based on the provided data.

Is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer good for dry skin?

Yes, Power Grip Primer is a strong pick for dry skin because it combines multiple hydrating and smoothing ingredients near the top of the list.

Here are the main reasons:

1. Glycerin is the second ingredient, which supports moisture retention.
2. Sodium hyaluronate is the third ingredient, helping skin look plumper and smoother.
3. Niacinamide is fourth, which can support the barrier and calm visible irritation.
4. Dimethicone helps create a smoother surface so foundation glides on more evenly.

Look, that doesn't mean it replaces moisturizer. If your skin is very dry, you'll still want skincare underneath. But as a prep step, it does more than many primers in the same price range.

How does Power Grip Primer perform under makeup?

This is where the product earns its popularity. The texture is a gel, not a cream and not a traditional slippery silicone primer. Once spread out, it leaves behind a slightly tacky finish. That's the whole point.

If you use too much, the tackiness can feel a little obvious. If you use a thin layer and give it a short moment to settle, it creates a nice base for foundation. This kind of primer tends to work best when you press or smooth makeup on top rather than aggressively rubbing.

Texture and feel

• Gel-based
• Slightly sticky after application
• Lightweight rather than heavy
• More hydrating than mattifying
• Better for grip than pore-blurring

So, if your ideal primer is velvety and instantly smoothing, this may not be your favorite texture. If you want your base makeup to hang on longer, the tackiness is exactly what you want.

Makeup wear

The brand claims it extends makeup wear, and the formula supports that claim. A gripping base formed by polymers plus humectants can help foundation adhere more evenly and resist fading through the day.

The strongest evidence from the data is the scale of consumer approval: 4.4 out of 5 stars from 28,900 reviews. That's not a tiny sample size. A rating above 4.0 is already solid in beauty, and 4.4/5 across nearly 29,000 reviews suggests a lot of people are seeing the payoff in real use.

Finish on skin

Don't expect a matte finish. This primer is more about fresh, slightly hydrated skin with extra hold. On dry or normal skin, that can make foundation look less flat. On oily skin, the niacinamide may help balance things somewhat, but this still isn't a dedicated oil-control primer.

How I think Power Grip Primer compares at this price

At $10.00, e.l.f. has positioned this exactly where drugstore shoppers want it: affordable enough to repurchase, but with a formula that feels more considered than a basic filler product.

The value gets even better when you break it down:

• Price: $10.00
• Size: 0.811 oz
• Price per oz: $12.33

That $12.33 per ounce cost is reasonable for a primer, especially one with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and dimethicone all fairly high in the formula.

And if you shop around, you can save a little more:

• Amazon: $9.68
• Walmart: $9.84
• CVS: $10.00
• Target: $10.00
• Ulta: $10.00

Honestly, the difference between $9.68 and $10.00 isn't huge, but if you're already placing an order, every bit helps.

Is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer clean, cruelty-free, and vegan?

Yes on all three counts.

• Clean beauty: Yes
• Cruelty-free: Yes
• Vegan: Yes

That's a meaningful plus at the drugstore level. Plenty of affordable primers perform well, but not all check every box. If those values matter to you, Power Grip Primer is easy to recommend.

Pros and cons of e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

Pros

• Affordable at $10.00
• Often available for less, including $9.68 on Amazon and $9.84 at Walmart
• Strong consumer reception with a 4.4/5 rating from 28,900 reviews
• Gel-based gripping formula helps makeup adhere better
• Includes glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide high in the ingredient list
• Targets dryness without feeling overly heavy
• Works for all skin types according to the brand
• Dimethicone has a low comedogenic rating of 1/5
• Mostly EWG 1 ingredients; only phenoxyethanol is EWG 2
• Clean beauty, cruelty-free, and vegan

Cons

• Tacky finish won't appeal to everyone
• Better at grip than pore-filling or blurring
• Not a dedicated mattifying primer for very oily skin
• Small size at 0.811 oz if you use primer daily
• If overapplied, makeup can feel like it sits on top rather than melting in

Who should buy e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?

You should buy Power Grip Primer if:

• You want a drugstore primer with proven popularity
• You need a primer that helps foundation last longer
• Your skin leans dry or dehydrated
• You like a slightly sticky base that grips makeup
• You want skincare-adjacent ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
• You care about clean beauty, cruelty-free, and vegan formulas
• You want to stay around the $10 mark

Who should skip e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?

You may want to skip it if:

• You strongly dislike any tacky residue on skin
• You want a primer mainly for large pores or heavy texture blurring
• Your top priority is intense oil control rather than hydration
• You prefer a classic silicone-smooth primer feel over a gel grip texture

Is Power Grip Primer worth the money?

Yes. At $10.00, with a 4.4/5 rating across 28,900 reviews, Power Grip Primer offers excellent value for the category. The formula isn't overloaded with trendy extras, but it includes the right kind of ingredients in the right order: glycerin at #2, sodium hyaluronate at #3, niacinamide at #4, and dimethicone at #5.

That combination makes sense for what this product is trying to do. It hydrates, smooths, and helps makeup stick around longer. For $12.33 per ounce, that's a fair deal.

The verdict on e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

I think e.l.f. Power Grip Primer earns its popularity. It gives you a gripping formula, useful hydrating ingredients, and broad accessibility at a true drugstore price. The fact that it holds a 4.4/5 rating from 28,900 reviews tells me this isn't just social media buzz—it has real staying power with shoppers.

My take: if you want a primer that feels sticky in a purposeful way and helps foundation wear better, Power Grip Primer is a smart buy. If you prefer a blurred, matte, almost undetectable primer, you'll probably want something else.

I'd place it as a strong budget option with especially good appeal for dry, normal, and combination skin. For $10, plus clean, cruelty-free, and vegan credentials, it's easy to see why so many people keep repurchasing it.

Rating context: A 4.4/5 average over 28,900 reviews is well above average for an affordable primer, and that scale matters. Plenty of products can maintain a high score with a few hundred reviews. Nearly 29,000 reviews is a much tougher test.

FAQs about e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

Is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer good for all skin types?

According to the brand, yes—it's best for all skin types. I think that's fair because the formula balances hydration and grip with ingredients like glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and dimethicone. That said, it will likely appeal most to normal, dry, and combination skin because it targets dryness and isn't a strongly mattifying formula.

Does e.l.f. Power Grip Primer help makeup last longer?

Yes, that's one of its core claims, and the gripping formula is specifically built for that. The gel texture leaves a tacky finish that helps foundation adhere better. The strong consumer response—4.4/5 from 28,900 reviews—also supports the idea that many users find it effective for extending makeup wear.

What are the key ingredients in e.l.f. Power Grip Primer?

The standout ingredients are:

1. Glycerin for hydration and barrier support
2. Sodium Hyaluronate for hydrating, plumping, and smoothing
3. Niacinamide for barrier support, brightening, and oil balance
4. Dimethicone for smoothing and protective slip

All four have low-risk safety profiles, and three of them have EWG scores of 1, while dimethicone also has EWG 1 and a low comedogenic rating of 1/5.

Is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer silicone-based?

Not primarily. The formula is gel-based and starts with water, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide before dimethicone appears as the fifth ingredient. So while it does contain silicone, it doesn't feel like a traditional heavy silicone primer.

Where is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer cheapest?

Based on the current prices provided, Amazon is the cheapest at $9.68, followed by Walmart at $9.84. CVS, Target, and Ulta are all listed at $10.00. All five retailers are currently in stock.