Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Versus Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Myristate
Nylon-12
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Mica, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays Starch, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Lauroyl Lysine, Methicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMagnesium Myristate
Nylon-12
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, CI 77220, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Magnesium Myristate yet.
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaNylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid
According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.
This ingredient may not be reef-safe.
Learn more about Nylon-12Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
