Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control Versus Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Algae Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventAlumina
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chloroxylenol
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Polyethylene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Algae Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-7, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Propylene Carbonate, Alumina, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chloroxylenol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.9%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 1%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingErythritol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Thymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysilicone-2
Disodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Alumina
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.9%, Titanium Dioxide 1%, Water, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Erythritol, Xylitol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Polyquaternium-51, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, CI 77120, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polysilicone-2, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, BHT, Alumina, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis is a silicone-based ingredient that helps create a smooth, silky, "bouncy" texture. It also acts as an emulsifier that prevents ingredients from separating in a formula.
Due to its large molecule size and water-insolubility, this ingredient is unlikely to be absorbed into skin. Irritation and sensitization tests have found reactions to silicones are considered very rare.
You'll likely see this ingredient in leave-on products at concentrations of 0.03%-3%.
Learn more about Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium 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 HectoritePeg-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.
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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
