Absidy Beauty Ambient Filter Complexion Enhancer Versus Enigma Skintroduction Longwear Liquid Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylhexyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Niacinamide
SmoothingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Hydrogenated Didecene, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Triethylhexanoin, CI 77163, Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Diethylhexyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, Propylene Carbonate, Glyceryl Behenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTribehenin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Nylon-12
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydrated Silica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogen Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tribehenin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrated Silica, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractDisteardimonium 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis is a silicone-polyether copolymer with skin conditioning, emulsifying, texture enhancing, and surfactant properties. It is used to help blend water and silicone based ingredients to improve slip and spreadability.
Due to its large molecular size and hydrophilic-lipophilic structure (it loves both oil and water), this ingredient is minimally absorbed into the skin.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol 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 AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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