Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation Versus Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrolyzed Algin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, CI 77891, Isohexadecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Alcohol, CI 77492, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Synthetic Wax, CI 77491, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Algin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Carrageenan, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingVp/Va Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingHexadecene
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Glyceryl Undecyl Dimethicone
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Vp/Va Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Hexadecene, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Glyceryl Undecyl Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholAluminum 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 HydroxideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Disteardimonium 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 GlycerinPhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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