theBalm Cosmetics Anne T. Dotes Liquid Concealer Versus Sephora Collection Make No Mistake Full Coverage Concealer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Jojoba Esters, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Boron Nitride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Gluconolactone, Tocopherol, Lauroyl Lysine, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica Silylate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCurcuma Longa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica Silylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethylhexanoin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 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 77891Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysinePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about Triethylhexanoin
