Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer Versus Iris&Romeo Best Skin Days Treatment Concealer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTridecane
PerfumingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Glycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Magnesium Chloride
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Undecane, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tridecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Silica, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lysine, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Chloride, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTridecane
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantJojoba Esters
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveLysine
Skin ConditioningMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingMagnesium Chloride
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLycopene
AntioxidantXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Undecane, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Tridecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Mica, Jojoba Esters, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Silica, Lysine, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Magnesium Chloride, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Lycopene, Xanthophylls, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
This ingredient is also known as mimosa flower wax. It is a plant-derived vegetable wax with emollient and skin conditioning properties.
One manufacturer describes this ingredient as a mix of free fatty alcohols, saturated monoesters, and odd-numbered long hydrocarbon chains. This profile is consistent with a wax that can feel like an occlusive. This mixture of compounds can make this ingredient not fungal acne, or malassezia folliculitis, safe.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylyl 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 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate yet.
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersLysine is an essential amino acid (your body cannot make it on its own). It has skin conditioning properties and one of the key players in collagen synthesis.
When your body creates collagen, lysine is basically the glue that holds everything together. It helps collagen fibers lock into each other and stay strong, with vitamin C being its trusty sidekick. Without enough lysine, this glue gets flimsy and less firm, resulting in less bouncy skin.
In skincare, lysine is mostly there to help keep your skin moisturized. It carries water through your skin's layers so everything stays plump.
So will putting lysine on your face create bouncier skin?
It's hard to say; most of the exciting collagen research on lysine comes from oral supplements or lab studies on mice. Further research is needed to truly understand what role topical lysine plays in skincare and your skin.
However, there's no harm in adding lysine to your routine as a supportive and hydrating ingredient.
Learn more about LysineMagnesium chloride is a mineral salt made from magnesium and chloride. It is mainly used to control product stability and texture in cosmetics.
This ingredient can also play a role in soothing the skin and supporting normal skin function.
Magnesium chloride is water-soluble, generally well tolerated, and does not act as a strong “active” ingredient on its own.
Learn more about Magnesium ChlorideMica 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 MicaPolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is a plant-derived, PEG-free emulsifier.
It's made by hooking isostearic acid onto a chain of glycerin units to give it a water-loving "head" and oil-loving "tail". This allows it to keep the oil and water mixed in a formula.
The highest reported concentration is about 24% in eye makeup but most suppliers recommend a level below 10%.
It has a clean track record for safety and found to be non-irritating.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, Malassezia can potentially metabolize it (it sits in the C11-24 range that Malassezia likes). Therefore, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Dehydroacetate is a synthetic preservative and sodium salt form of dehydroacetic acid. It stops bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your products at low concentrations.
Clinical testing found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing. It's also not significantly absorbed through skin.
There are a very small number of reported cases of contact dermatitis in cases linked to wound-care creams used over compromised skin (rather than skincare).
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-risk preservative just doing its job.
Typical concentrations run up to 0.6%, which is also the maximum amount permitted under both EU CosIng regulations and US FDA guidelines.
Learn more about Sodium DehydroacetateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Lauroyl Glutamate is the sodium salt from the lauric acid of glutamic acid.
It is a surfactant and helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants from your skin so they may be washed away easily.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
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 TocopherolTridecane is a lightweight emollient and fragrancing ingredient. It is a paraffin and often called a silicone alternative.
According to official INCI guidelines, this ingredient is used to give a light odor to raw materials. It is often used as a starter ingredient to create parfum.
This ingredient can be derived from palm oil, or coconut oil. It is also naturally found in certain species of organisms.
According to the NOAA, this ingredient can cause skin sensitivity with prolonged use. However, this warning is taken from the Coast Guard and no studies have been done on this in relation to cosmetics.
Tridecane is not water soluble.
Learn more about TridecaneTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateUndecane is an emollient and helps create a lightweight base for products.
Is is not soluble in water and naturally occurring in some species.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan 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 Gum