bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation SPF 25 Versus Hourglass Cosmetics Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sea Water
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSea Salt
Abrasive
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Trisodium EDTA
Aluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide, Sea Water, Water, Coconut Alkanes, Squalane, Paraffin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glycerin, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Jojoba Esters, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Isostearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trehalose, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sea Salt, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauroyl Lysine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Microcrystalline Wax, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carrageenan, Stearic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Aluminum Dimyristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Cera, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Isostearyl Alcohol, Lauryl Laurate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Methicone, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Silica, Talc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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
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 HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaprylic/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 ingredientâs 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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane
