IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Translucent Loose Setting Powder Versus Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
Abrasive
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientCholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Silica, Soluble Collagen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Water, Algae Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Cholesteryl Chloride, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMagnesium Myristate
Nylon-12
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, CI 77220, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateThis 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
