Strokes Soft Veil Filter Foundation Versus Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Surfactant
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Octadecene
SolventPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Silica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Quaternium-18 Bentonite
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Dimethicone, Octadecene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Alumina, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isododecane, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Algae Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventAlumina
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chloroxylenol
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Polyethylene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Algae Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-7, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Propylene Carbonate, Alumina, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chloroxylenol, 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.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium 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 SulfateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Trimethylsiloxysilicate
