e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Brightening Concealer Versus Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Sulfate
Diglycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Octyldodecanol, Mica, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Diglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrolyzed Algin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, CI 77891, Isohexadecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Alcohol, CI 77492, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Synthetic Wax, CI 77491, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Algin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Carrageenan, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Maris Sal
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 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 HectoriteMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateThis 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 CarbonateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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