Dior Airflash Spray Foundation Airbrushed Radiance Versus Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Skincaring Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butane
Water
Skin ConditioningPropane
Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isobutane
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButane, Water, Propane, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone, Isobutane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C15-19 Alkane, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Tocopherol, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSerica
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cyclohexasiloxane, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hexylene Glycol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Lecithin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Maltodextrin, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Maris Sal, Methicone, Mica, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Phytosphingosine, Polyquaternium-51, Polysilicone-11, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Serica, Silica, Sodium Carrageenan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium PCA, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol
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.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
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 this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
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.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
