Mad For Makeup Pearlfect Cover Silk-Fit Concealer Versus Rose All Day The Realest Lightweight Concealer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingNylon-12
Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Panthenol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethylhexanoin, Nylon-12, Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Salicylic Acid, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Xanthan Gum, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDextrin Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberHydrogen Dimethicone
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cylindrotheca Fusiformis Extract
AntioxidantBHT
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Powder
AbrasivePalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Panthenol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dextrin Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethylhexanoin, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis Extract, BHT, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coffea Arabica Seed Powder, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTADisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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