Versus

Mac Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation - NC12 Versus Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation - 3C1 Dusk

Foundation
Foundation
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe foundations. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain 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

What's inside

What's inside

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
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation

Water

Skin Conditioning

Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Tricaprylin

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C9-12 Alkane

Solvent

Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Octyldodecanol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Trimethylsiloxysilicate

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Emollient

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin

Humectant

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Stabilising

Octyldodecyl Xyloside

Emulsifying

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate

Emollient

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Emulsifying
4 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Triethyl Citrate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Pvp

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Aluminum Dimyristate

Emulsion Stabilising

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Silica Dimethicone Silylate

Absorbent
Silicon Icon

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silicon Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Disodium EDTA

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77492

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77499

Cosmetic Colorant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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 Glycol
Cosmetic Colorant

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

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
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.

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.

As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing oils and water from separating.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.

When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.

If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Preservative

This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.

It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.

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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

This silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.

According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.

Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate
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

When to use

8 Routines
88% use in am
13% use in pm
75% use every day
89 Routines
88% use in am
12% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

5.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Buildable 100% Full Coverage 100% Good Color 100%
4.90
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Good Color 63% Long Lasting 63% Natural 50%