Happy Skin Cosmetics Smart Shade Match Foundation SPF 50 Versus Happy Skin Cosmetics Stay Fresh Blurring Skin Tint
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlutathione
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Caprylyl Methicone, Octocrylene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sucrose, Cellulose Gum, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide AP, Arbutin, Sodium Sulfite, Citric Acid, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glutathione, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Silica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCaryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, CI 77492, CI 77491, 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.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 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.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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