La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum For Dry Skin Versus Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Every-Wear All-Over Face Pen
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Methicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Silylate
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Caffeine, Triethyl Citrate, Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Alumina, Silica, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Silylate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
