Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder Versus NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zinc Myristate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Polysilicone-2
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Myristate, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quercetin, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Polysilicone-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Boron Nitride, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Calcium Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glucose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate, Niacinamide, Lauroyl Lysine, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinSilica, 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 SilicaThis 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
