Hourglass Cosmetics Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick Versus Basma Beauty The Foundation Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Cera, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Isostearyl Alcohol, Lauryl Laurate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Methicone, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Silica, Talc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polyethylene, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 77891
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 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 77891This ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Mica 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 MicaMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane
