Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation Versus Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Stearate
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Wax, Squalane, Polyethylene, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Nylon-12, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Phytosphingosine, Butyl Stearate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mica, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, 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.
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil comes from a green tea plant native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties. This plant also has similar properties to olive oil.
This ingredient is rich in oleic acid. This makes it an effective moisturizer. By creating a thin film on the skin, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil traps moisture within. This helps keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
The antioxidant and soothing properties of this ingredient come from Vitamin E and polyphenols.
The seed oil comes from the dried kernels of the plant.
Learn more about Camellia Oleifera Seed OilThis ingredient is a mineral salt of calcium and phosphate. It is mainly used as a mild abrasive and sometimes used to add opacity to a formula.
Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneWe don't have a description for Isodecyl Neopentanoate yet.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
