e.l.f. cosmetics O Face Satin Lipstick Versus Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick Shaping Lip Colour
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Microcrystalline Wax, Oryza Sativa Starch, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 42090
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTriisostearyl Citrate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasivePPG-51/Smdi Copolymer
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Heptahydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Alumina
AbrasiveButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45370
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Ozokerite, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cera Alba, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triisostearyl Citrate, Polyethylene, Silica, PPG-51/Smdi Copolymer, Cera Microcristallina, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Heptahydroxystearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tribehenin, Squalane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Water, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Alumina, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 17200, CI 45410, CI 45370, CI 45380, CI 77742, CI 73360, CI 75470, CI 15985, CI 77163
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylyl 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 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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 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 77891Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaSilica, 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 SilicaSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
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".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate