The Ordinary Serum Foundation - 3.1R Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation - Lily
Updated on March 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe foundations. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Serum Foundation 34 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Serum Foundation 34 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHectorite
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
Masking
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Alumina
Abrasive
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Coconut Alkanes, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Laurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Alumina, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Tin Oxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77163, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
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 ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentPolymethyl 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
EmollientParfum
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 CyclopentasiloxaneWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 77891This ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
Magnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
It is a white powder that can be used to add bulk and color to products by binding to oil ingredients.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneIngredient Ratings
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