Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Versus Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 20
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygala Senega Root Extract
RefreshingBeta Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingNymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantLactoperoxidase
StabilisingGlucose Oxidase
StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientGlucose
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Water, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Isononanoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrated Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Polygala Senega Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Lactoperoxidase, Glucose Oxidase, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Cholesterol, Jojoba Esters, Glucose, Polysilicone-11, Laureth-7, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Mannitol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Octyldodecanol
EmollientC18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Triheptanoin, Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Silica, Glycerin, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Mannitol, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Laurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Octyldodecanol, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, 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.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer is a type of silicone.
This ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolIsododecane 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.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Phosphate is the term for the salts of potassium and phosphate ions. Our bodies naturally create and use potassium phosphate.
In cosmetics, potassium phosphate is used to adjust the pH level of products. Our skin has a natural pH level. Maintaining this pH level is important for our skin barrier. If the skin barrier is disrupted, our skin can experience dehydration and irritation.
This ingredient is used in medicine to help treat low blood levels of phosphorus.
Learn more about Potassium PhosphatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateThis 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 CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum