NYX Cosmetics Born To Glow Medium Coverage Naturally Radiant Foundation Versus Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 20
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTrimethoxycaprylylsilane
SmoothingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-9 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Talc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Mannitol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Triheptanoin, Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Silica, Glycerin, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Mannitol, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Laurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Octyldodecanol, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIsododecane 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 IsododecanePEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
