Covergirl Clean Fresh Primer, Color Correcting Serum and Moisturizer Versus Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Farnesol
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xanthan Gum, Dicaprylyl Ether, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Farnesol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77007
Titanium Dioxide 13.7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 4.9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Iron Oxides
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide 13.7%, Zinc Oxide 4.9%, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Squalane, Talc, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Polyethylene, Iron Oxides, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Water, Beeswax, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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 a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 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. 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 DimethiconeTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 isnât contradicting the research. Itâs just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
