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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 versus Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W .

Published on September 08, 2023

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones and sulfates

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

Foundation American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Foundation

A liquid, cream, or powder to help create an even complexion or cover blemishes.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15

Starts at $39.00
Shop

Buy Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
15
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Mixed

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 8.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.

In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.

You might recognize Magnesium Sulfate as epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.

One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.

Learn more about Magnesium Sulfate

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 16.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 29.

7
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 21.

8
What it does: Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.

It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.

Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.

Learn more about Disteardimonium Hectorite

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 20.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 28.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 28.

10
What it does: Solvent

This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.

Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.

Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.

Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.

Learn more about Propylene Carbonate

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 26.

11
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 33.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 13.

12
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

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 77891

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 34.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 36.

13
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NC12 contains this as ingredient number 35.

Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W contains this as ingredient number 37.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

17% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
61% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen 20W.

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