Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation Versus Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Magnesium Potassium Fluorosilicate
Abrasive
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Illite
Abrasive
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Potassium Fluorosilicate, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Silica, Dimethicone, Illite, Zinc Stearate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kaolin, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Tristearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 77510, CI 77742, CI 15850, CI 77007, CI 42090, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
