Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer Natural Skin Illuminator SPF 25 PA+++ Versus Maybelline Fit Me Fresh Tint SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 3%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glycerin
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingBatyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xanthan Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTribehenin
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica Silylate
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tribehenin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Silylate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, 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.
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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 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 Water