Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Versus Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Menthyl PCA
HumectantMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
C20-24 Olefin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlycogen
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isomalt
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phytol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trisiloxane, Silica, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Alcohol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Menthyl PCA, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Dextrin Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, C20-24 Olefin, Propylene Carbonate, Glycogen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isomalt, Lauroyl Lysine, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Menthyl PCA
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Arginine PCA
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Isomalt
HumectantSodium Phytate
Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phytol
Emollient
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Silica, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Menthyl PCA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Arginine PCA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Isomalt, Sodium Phytate, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Alcohol, Phytol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, CI 77891, 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.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCi 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 77891Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Isododecane 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 IsododecaneWe don't have a description for Isomalt yet.
We don't have a description for Menthyl PCA yet.
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.
Phytol is a fragrance.
Silica, 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 SilicaThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Tocopheryl 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
