about-face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation Versus NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Serum Cushion Foundation SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChlorella Sorokiniana Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Carbonate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Yeast Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDecyl Cocoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDioctyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Sulfate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Decyl Cocoate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dioctyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Triheptanoin, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water