NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation Versus Mac Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
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
MaskingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maris Aqua
HumectantTrisodium EDTA
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 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, Maris Aqua, Trisodium EDTA, CI 77120, Alumina, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Silica Dimethicone Silylate
Absorbent
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tricaprylin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Triethyl Citrate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pvp, Silica, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Betaine, Dimethicone, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aluminum Dimyristate, Citric Acid, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydroxyacetophenone, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolC9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
Ci 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.
Ci 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 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
