Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Versus NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
Abrasive
Magnesium Myristate
Nylon-12
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Methicone
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Lauroyl Lysine, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methicone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Methylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 77007
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Silicate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-2
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Sea Water
HumectantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Glycerin, Magnesium Silicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysilicone-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Citric Acid, CI 77120, Alumina, Sea Water, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Mica, 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 77891This ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineThis 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
