Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation Versus Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Hydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCellulose
Absorbent
Lauryl PCA
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Hydrogenated Didecene, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Dicalcium Phosphate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cellulose, Lauryl PCA, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Zinc Oxide 7.5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Galactoarabinan
Tridecane
Perfuming
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 7.5%, Water, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Octyldodecanol, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Galactoarabinan, Tridecane, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Squalane, Caffeine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Gluconate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 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 77891Hydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing oils and water from separating.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearateWater. 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
