Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint Versus Sea Makeup Soft Focus Skin Perfector Tint
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Citric Acid
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Squalane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Isododecane, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Tribehenin, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 pretty 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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateWater. 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