NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation - Mont Blanc Versus bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 - Birch
Updated on October 25, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation 39 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation 39 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sea Water
HumectantTrisodium EDTA
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C9-12 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Undecane, Tridecane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diisostearyl Malate, Glycerin, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Chloride, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Tocopherol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sea Water, Trisodium EDTA, CI 77120, Alumina, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Agar
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Chloride
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coconut Alkanes, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Squalane, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Isostearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Trehalose, Glycerin, Agar, Silica, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Lauroyl Lysine, Succinoglycan, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Cacao seed extract contains antioxidants known as polyphenols.
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 HydroxideWe don't have a description for Magnesium Chloride yet.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.
Mica is found to be safe. 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.
Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.
Learn more about MicaCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation 39 ingredients
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation 39 ingredients
amazing foundation
this foundation is incredible. you can use it for anything from a no makeup makeup look to a full glam look. the shade range is not as good as fenty or mac, but i have a match.
Broke me out SO BAD after only 2 uses
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30 40 ingredients
Terrible
