GRWM Cosmetics All About That Base Makeup Prep Squad Primer Versus so natural Magic Pore Matte Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Bentonite, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Mandelic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Kaolin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Gluconolactone, Charcoal Powder, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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