Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder Versus Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMagnesium Myristate
Nylon-12
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, CI 77220, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 19140
Talc
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pei-10
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Talc, Mica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Zinc Stearate, Zea Mays Starch, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pei-10, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax, Tetrasodium EDTA, Water, Dimethiconol, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Mica 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 MicaSilica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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.
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
