Mac Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation Versus Pixi Beauty On-The-Glow Base Foundation Moisture Stick
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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Kaolin
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Boron Nitride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Kaolin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
