SHEGLAM Complexion Pro Long Lasting Breathable Matte Foundation Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer
Tribehenin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-2 Soyamine
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, CI 77491, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Nylon-12, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77499, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Alcohol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Silica, Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, Tribehenin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Oxide, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Cetyl Dimethicone, PEG-2 Soyamine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyapatite, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Palmitate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone, Magnesium Palmitate, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
