NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder Versus NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sea Water
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Zinc Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sea Water, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zinc Myristate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Polysilicone-2
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Succinate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Myristate, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quercetin, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Polysilicone-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Boron Nitride, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Calcium Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glucose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate, Niacinamide, Lauroyl Lysine, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, 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.
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 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineMica 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 MicaPhenoxyethanol 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 SilicaSynthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
