MERITmoisturizerMoisturize step

MERIT Mini Great Skin Priming Moisturizer

This moisturizer aims to do a few things: hydrate, firm, soothe, and prep your skin for makeup. It’s a lightweight option that absorbs quickly, making it a good choice if you dislike heavy creams. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid and a proprietary 'Great Skin Complex' suggests it’s working on skin elasticity and hydration.

Sephora price

$19.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.1 / 5

About 537 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Best for Dry, Combo, Normal SkinHyaluronic AcidGood for: Loss of firmnessVeganClean at SephoraHydratingGreat Skin Complex: Has peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides to support the appearance of skin elasticity, firmness, and tone.Oat Extract and Glycerin: Soothe and moisturize skin.Hyaluronic Acid: For intense hydration.Fine Lines and WrinklesDrynessand Redness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.1 / 5 overall fit

A solid choice for hydration and a smooth canvas, especially if you like a quick-drying formula that plays well with makeup. It’s not the richest option, but it delivers on its priming promise.

MERIT Mini Great Skin Priming Moisturizer

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A lightweight cream that provides time-release hydration and helps skin feel firmer and more elastic, all while soothing and prepping skin for makeup.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyFine Lines and WrinklesDrynessand Redness

After cleansing, massage one to two pumps into the skin.

Follow immediately with your next step—sunscreen or makeup—before the moisturizer dries down.

For added glow, apply Great Skin Instant Glow Serum first (sold separately) followed by one to two pumps of Great Skin Priming Moisturizer.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

This is a good primer-moisturizer hybrid. It’s not going to replace a dedicated treatment serum for serious concerns like deep wrinkles or significant loss of firmness, but it excels at providing a smooth, hydrated base for makeup and offers a pleasant, lightweight feel. If you’re looking for a product that simplifies your morning routine and helps makeup apply better, this is a strong contender.

Makeup application

Many users report that makeup applies more smoothly and lasts longer when using this moisturizer as a base.

Hydration without heaviness

Reviewers appreciate the balance of hydration without feeling greasy or heavy on the skin.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

Normal, dry, and combination skin types
Those looking for a makeup-gripping moisturizer
Anyone seeking a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You have very oily skin and prefer a matte finish
You need a heavy-duty moisturizer for very dry or compromised skin
You are looking for a product with strong anti-aging actives

Routine fit

Where this fits in your routine

Apply this after cleansing and any treatment serums. It’s designed to be followed immediately by sunscreen or makeup, so don't let it fully dry down before applying your next step. For an extra boost of glow, layer MERIT's Great Skin Instant Glow Serum underneath.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Excellent makeup primer
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Provides a smooth, hydrated base
Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration

Where it starts to feel redundant

May not be rich enough for very dry skin
Primarily a primer, not a treatment product
The 'Great Skin Complex' is proprietary, so its specific benefits are less transparent

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning routine

This is ideal for a morning routine, especially if you wear makeup. It acts as a hydrating primer, ensuring a smooth canvas and helping makeup adhere better throughout the day.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.1/ 5 overall

A solid choice for hydration and a smooth canvas, especially if you like a quick-drying formula that plays well with makeup. It’s not the richest option, but it delivers on its priming promise.

Routine fit

4.5 / 5

Badness

1.0 / 10

Fatty alcohols that help to stabilize the formula and provide emollience.

Usually helps with

Formula stability, softening

Watch for

Can be comedogenic for some

Emulsifier, Emollient

Stearic Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

A fatty acid that helps to emulsify and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, conditioning

Watch for

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Emulsifier

Glyceryl Stearate Citrate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A plant-derived emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.

Usually helps with

Formula stability

Watch for

Antioxidant

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

A source of astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Antioxidant

Hydrolyzed Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

A processed form of the algae extract, likely for better skin penetration and stability.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for sensitive skin.

Usually helps with

Soothing, calming

Watch for

Humectant

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A derivative of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin and provide sustained hydration.

Usually helps with

Intense hydration

Watch for

Thickener

Sclerotium Gum

Badness

0.0 / 10

A natural gum used to thicken formulations and improve texture.

Usually helps with

Texture enhancement

Watch for

Emulsifier, Emollient

Palmitic Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

A fatty acid that can help stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, conditioning

Watch for

Thickener

Polyacrylate-13

Badness

2.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to thicken products. Some concerns exist about microplastic pollution.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Environmental concerns

Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning Agent

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A modified form of lecithin that helps to stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, conditioning

Watch for

Humectant, Preservative Booster

1,2-Hexanediol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A versatile ingredient that provides hydration and helps preserve the product.

Usually helps with

Hydration, preservation

Watch for

Humectant, Preservative Booster

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

0.0 / 10

Enhances skin hydration and helps to preserve the product.

Usually helps with

Hydration, preservation

Watch for

Antioxidant, Preservative Booster

Hydroxyacetophenone

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic antioxidant that also helps to boost the effectiveness of preservatives.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant, preservation

Watch for

Emollient

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth feel and helps to prevent water loss.

Usually helps with

Smoothness, moisture barrier

Watch for

Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning Agent

Lysolecithin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A derivative of lecithin that aids in emulsification and skin conditioning.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, conditioning

Watch for

Emulsifier

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier.

Usually helps with

Formula stability

Watch for

Film Former, Thickener

Pullulan

Badness

0.0 / 10

A polysaccharide that can form a film on the skin, providing a tightening effect and improving texture.

Usually helps with

Film-forming, texture

Watch for

Thickener, Emulsifier

Xanthan Gum

Badness

0.0 / 10

A common natural gum used to thicken formulations and stabilize emulsions.

Usually helps with

Texture, stability

Watch for

Amino Acid, Skin Conditioning Agent

Arginine

Badness

0.0 / 10

An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and can support skin repair.

Usually helps with

Hydration, skin conditioning

Watch for

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emollient ester that provides a smooth feel but can be comedogenic for some.

Usually helps with

Smoothness

Watch for

Can be comedogenic

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Isostearate

Badness

0.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water.

Usually helps with

Formula stability

Watch for

Absorbent, Texturizer

Silica

Badness

0.0 / 10

Can help absorb excess oil and provide a mattifying effect, also used to improve texture.

Usually helps with

Oil absorption, texture

Watch for

Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties that protect skin from free radical damage.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Colorant

Caramel

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to give the product a slight tint.

Usually helps with

Color

Watch for

Compare before you buy

The next pages that make this product more useful

A good product page should push you into the next decision, not trap you inside one product page forever. These are the cleaner next clicks.

Ingredient Checker

Check whether this product overlaps with products already in your routine.

Product directory

Browse more Sephora skincare products through the Glass product directory.

FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this moisturizer good for oily skin?

While it's listed as suitable for combination and oily skin, its priming and hydrating properties might be better suited for normal to dry or combination skin that needs a smooth base. If you have very oily skin, you might prefer a lighter, more mattifying option.

Can I use this with makeup?

Yes, this product is specifically designed to be used as a primer before makeup. It creates a smooth surface and helps makeup apply more evenly and last longer.

What is the 'Great Skin Complex'?

The 'Great Skin Complex' is MERIT's proprietary blend that includes peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides. It's formulated to support skin elasticity, firmness, and tone.

See If This Is Compatible With My Skin