Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30 Versus Chanel Ultra Le Teint Fluid Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.9%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 1%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTrifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingErythritol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysilicone-2
Disodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
CleansingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantAlumina
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.9%, Titanium Dioxide 1%, Water, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Erythritol, Xylitol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Polyquaternium-51, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, CI 77120, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polysilicone-2, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, BHT, Alumina, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTribehenin
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tribehenin, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 HydroxideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone 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 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 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 GlycerinMica 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 MicaPolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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