about-face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation Versus Youthforia Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
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 ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethylpropanediol
SolventDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCapparis Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Methylpropanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Capparis Spinosa Fruit Extract, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77007, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium 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 (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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