Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30 Versus Mac Cosmetics Studio Radiance Face and Body Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.9%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 1%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingErythritol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Thymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysilicone-2
Disodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Alumina
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron 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
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Talc
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Triethanolamine
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Farnesol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Talc, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Farnesol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Mica, 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.
Butylene 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAMica 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 MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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
