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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium versus Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer .

Last updated on October 25, 2023. Published on October 20, 2023

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Highlighter American Brand United States
Face Primer American Brand United States

Highlighter

Highlighters emulate the glow of light and help brighten features.

Face Primer

A base to help makeup products last longer on the face or to help control shine.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger (2)
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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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.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 1.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 3.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 10.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 5.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

This ingredient is a high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 7.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 29.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 8.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does:
Community Rating: Mixed

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.

It is considered non-irritating on the skin.

Learn more about Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 10.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 47.

7
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances 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 Chloride

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 14.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 52.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 15.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 57.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 20.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 34.

10
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 24.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 8.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 25.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 53.

12
What it does: Abrasive
Community Rating: Disliked

Tin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.

Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 30.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 40.

13
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

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 77891

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 32.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 59.

14
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 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 77491

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 34.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 60.

15
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

This synthetic powder is used to add a pearly/white color in cosmetics.

e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium contains this as ingredient number 36.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer contains this as ingredient number 61.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

22% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 32 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to e.l.f. cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter 3 Light/Medium.

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