NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Sodium Glutamate
MaskingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Polysilicone-2
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isostearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Sodium Glutamate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Polysilicone-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Benzoic Acid, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygala Senega Root Extract
RefreshingBeta Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingNymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactoperoxidase
StabilisingGlucose Oxidase
StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Water, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Isononanoate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrated Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Polygala Senega Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Lactoperoxidase, Glucose Oxidase, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Cholesterol, Jojoba Esters, Glucose, Polysilicone-11, Laureth-7, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolCi 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. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium 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 HectoritePeg-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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
