e.l.f. cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation Versus Mac Cosmetics Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Callus Extract
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Erythritol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Callus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 3.1%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 2.1%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone Silylate
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingLitchi Chinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.1%, Zinc Oxide 2.1%, Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Silylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Triethyl Citrate, Laureth-7, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Dextrin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polyglutamic Acid, Zinc Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 HectoriteGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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