NYX Cosmetics Highlight & Contour Pro Palette Versus Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Powder Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
AbrasivePolymethyl Methacrylate
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Dimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveNylon-12
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Kaolin
AbrasiveIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMagnesium Myristate
Polyester-4
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Alumina
AbrasiveMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Nylon-12, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Kaolin, Isoamyl Laurate, Dimethicone, Zinc Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Polyester-4, Boron Nitride, CI 77120, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Decylene Glycol, Hydrated Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Alumina, Magnesium Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
Talc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcZinc Stearate is the metal salt of stearic acid. It is a white solid used to bind, thicken, and lubricate products.
This ingredient is common in powder makeup, where it helps keep the powder together.
Zinc Stearate is hydrophobic and repels water.
This ingredient can be sourced from non-animal or animal sources. It is best to reach out to the brand to see where they source this ingredient from.
Learn more about Zinc StearateThis 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.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides