Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NW60 versus NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 .

Published on October 20, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both foundations. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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
Foundation French Brand France

Foundation

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

Foundation

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

Price

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
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

Vitamin C

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

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.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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: 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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 2.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 3.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.

According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 4.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 5.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 7.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 24.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 12.

7
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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 27.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 32.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 17.

9
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 NW60 contains this as ingredient number 34.

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5 contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

17% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
20% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 35 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings

NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation 25 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation with SPF 15 NW60.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Vienna L4.5.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...