Physician's Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer - 1 Fair Versus Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Soft Glow Foundation - 1
Updated on October 26, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe foundations. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Physician's Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer 40 ingredients
Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Soft Glow Foundation 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Physician's Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer 40 ingredients
Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Soft Glow Foundation 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tribehenin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Sterols, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneGlycerin 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 GlycerinLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
We don't have a description for Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer yet.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about TribeheninXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumTocopheryl 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 AcetateThis 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.
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 77891Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
