IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50+ Versus Patrick Ta Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHexyl Laurate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Calcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPerfluorohexane
SolventOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPentafluoropropane
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Steareth-20
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Niacin
SmoothingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningCarnitine Hcl
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide, Water, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexyl Laurate, Stearic Acid, Calcium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Niacinamide, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Cholesterol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Lactobacillus, Perfluorohexane, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Perfluorodecalin, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Pentafluoropropane, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Steareth-20, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Hydrolyzed Silk, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Niacin, Folic Acid, Chrysin, Carnitine Hcl, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Mica, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Squalane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Pvp, Lauroyl Lysine, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Myristyl Myristate, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Benzoate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Distarch Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterThis 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
