about-face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation Versus Pixi Beauty On-The-Glow Base Foundation Moisture Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Kaolin
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Boron Nitride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Kaolin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides
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.
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 preservatives
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
