Ilia Blue Light Protect + Set Mist Versus Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
Updated on July 20, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe setting spray & powders. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Ilia Blue Light Protect + Set Mist 28 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ilia Blue Light Protect + Set Mist 28 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMaris Aqua
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Algin
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Maris Aqua, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Gluconate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Algin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Michelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Sodium Citrate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Ilia Blue Light Protect + Set Mist 28 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Ilia Blue Light Protect + Set Mist 28 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 35 ingredients
Good but be careful with the eyes
Keeps the skin hydrated and plump but once I wasn't careful and sprayed too much so got into my right eye. I was out of home so had to run like Usain Bolt to the nearest fountain to wash my eye because it burned like hell ðŸ˜
I really wanted to like this, I love a lot of Rare Beauty products, however, I found that even after 1 use, it broke out my skin. I felt super oily and had several new pimples the next day. To be fair I had been trying some new products and some of the reaction could have been caused by the cumulative changes to my skincare routine. I also only tried it once. However, given the immediate Show more
