Huda Beauty Fauxfilter Skin Finish Buildable Coverage Foundation Stick Versus Hourglass Cosmetics Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantUltramarines
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Synthetic Beeswax, Mica, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Synthetic Wax, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, Ultramarines
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
EmollientMethicone
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveTalc
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, 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, Iron Oxides, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 HydroxideCaprylyl 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 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 77891Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMica 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 MicaSilica, 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 SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides