Maybelline Facestudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter Versus Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer

Color: Medium-Nude Glow

Color: Sun Kissed

Highlighter

Bronzer

American

American

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Emollient

2-4 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Polyethylene

Phenyl Trimethicone

Diisostearyl Malate

Nylon-12

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Ozokerite

Emulsion Stabilising

Polyvinyl Laurate

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Stabilising

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Caprylyl Glycol

Propylene Carbonate

Silica

Alumina

Tin Oxide

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Calcium Sodium Borosilicate

Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate

Magnesium Silicate

Mica

CI 77891

CI 77491

CI 77492

CI 77499

CI 75470

CI 77007

CI 15850

CI 19140

CI 45410

CI 77163

CI 77288

CI 77742

CI 77400

CI 77000

CI 15985

CI 16035

CI 42090

CI 77510

Phenyl Trimethicone

Silica

Dimethicone

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Emollient

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant

Cera Microcristallina

Emulsion Stabilising

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Synthetic Wax

Abrasive

Octyldodecanol

Emollient

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying

1-2 / 0 May worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Emollient

2-4 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Isopropyl Myristate

Emollient

3-5 / 3 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Isostearic Acid

Cleansing

Lecithin

Emollient

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Caprylyl Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Titanium Dioxide

0 / 0 UV Protection Icon

Iron Oxides

CI 77742

Cosmetic Colorant

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

CI 77742

Cosmetic Colorant

This ingredient is used to add a violet color to cosmetics.

It is created by reacting phosphoric acid, ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate, and manganese dioxide.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.

In cosmetics, it plays many roles:

One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.

For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.

This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.

You'll see this one rated 4 comedogenic all over the internet. That number isn't from a single study, and the actual research is more interesting.

The original rating comes from 1980s rabbit ear tests (which are a shaky basis for anything). But Ethylhexyl Palmitate is one of the few ingredients with real human data behind it. A 2021 controlled trial found this ingredient increased microcomedones by an average of 365% over four weeks.

Just know that test used the pure ingredient under an occlusive pad on back skin; most products use it at much lower levels alongside other ingredients and plenty of people use those with no issue.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant

Mica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.

Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.

This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.

Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.

Learn more about Mica

Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning

Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.

Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.

As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.

Learn more about Phenyl Trimethicone

Silica

Abrasive, Absorbent

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 Silica

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Synthetic 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 Fluorphlogopite