Essence Silky Blur Hydrating Longwear Foundation Versus NYX Cosmetics Make 'Em Wonder Soft Matte Buildable Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lecithin
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Silica, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventSilica Silylate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cellulose, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Silica Silylate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Oryza Sativa Starch, Propylene Glycol, Kaolin, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Trihydroxystearin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glucomannan, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 HectoriteIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium 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 SulfatePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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