Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Versus Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMethicone
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentJojoba Esters
EmollientSqualane
EmollientMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLauryl PCA
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Disiloxane, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Boron Nitride, Jojoba Esters, Squalane, Magnesium Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lauryl PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Isododecane
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Hydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Dicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCellulose
AbsorbentLauryl PCA
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantIron 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
Reviews
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 77891We don't have a description for Lauryl PCA 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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