Maybelline Superstay Lumi-Matte Foundation SPF 16 Versus Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Perlite
Absorbent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Nylon-12
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSilica Silylate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Alcohol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Perlite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica Silylate, Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Proline, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Glutamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Menthyl PCA
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Arginine PCA
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Isomalt
HumectantSodium Phytate
Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phytol
Emollient
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Silica, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Menthyl PCA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Arginine PCA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Isomalt, Sodium Phytate, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Alcohol, Phytol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, CI 77891, 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.
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 AlcoholAluminum 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 HydroxideDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteIsododecane 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 IsododecaneNylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid
According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.
This ingredient may not be reef-safe.
Learn more about Nylon-12Peg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SilicaWater. 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
