Versus

Mac Cosmetics Strobe Cream - Goldlite Versus Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer

General Moisturizer
Day Moisturizer
American Brand United States
Brand

Updated on March 06, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Strobe Cream
Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a form of Vitamin C and is an antioxidant. It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.

MAP is created by combining ascorbic acid with magnesium salt. While MAP more gentle on the skin than ascorbic acid, it is thought to be less easily-absorbed into the skin.

Due to MAP's stability up to a pH level of 7, it is more stable to air and sunlight exposure than ascorbic acid. The best pH range for MAP is between 5 and 6.

Like other forms of Vitamin C, MAP has been shown to help reduce hyperpigmentation and simulate collagen production.

As an antioxidant, it helps protect your skin against the signs of aging.

Learn more about Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

1 Routine
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
107 Routines
85% use in am
15% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mac Cosmetics Strobe Cream 45 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Heavy (1)
kristinathefrog's avatar

Thunder Frog

1 month ago
Review

One of my most impulsive (and questionable) beauty purchases. This cream has a very specific purpose - it’s meant to be applied under foundation, where its intense shimmer subtly shines through layers of makeup for a radiant effect. Some claim it works on its own, but in my opinion, it just makes the skin look sweaty, not glowy. It might work as a highlighter on certain areas, though.

In Show more

#expensive
#heavy
#absorbs well
#works well

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer 34 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Hydrating (1) Light Scent (1)
Alma's avatar

Alma

9 months ago
Review

Gave me horrible cystic acne

#broke me out
taylorwilson's avatar

Taylor Wilson

2 months ago
Review

Smells amazing, super hydrating, makeup glides on.

#hydrating
#light scent
#works well