Mac Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation Versus NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Complete Concealer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Silica Dimethicone Silylate
Absorbent
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tricaprylin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Triethyl Citrate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pvp, Silica, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Betaine, Dimethicone, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aluminum Dimyristate, Citric Acid, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydroxyacetophenone, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Nylon-12
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffin
Perfuming
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysilicone-2
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantDistearyldimonium Chloride
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Water, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Butylene Glycol, Paraffin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, PEG-400, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polysilicone-2, Cera Microcristallina, CI 77120, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Alumina, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
