Yves Saint Laurent Nu Glow In Balm Versus Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer
Updated on October 26, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face primers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Glow In Balm 45 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Glow In Balm 45 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventCetyl Esters
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingAcacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSilica Silylate
EmollientHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Propanediol, Cetyl Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Glycine Soja Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica Silylate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77891, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isohexadecane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Tin Oxide, 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.
Water. 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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Sorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopitePolysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80We don't have a description for Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer yet.
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.
Ci 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 77891Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Glow In Balm 45 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Glow In Balm 45 ingredients
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer 18 ingredients
Leaves your skin nice and glowy, hold my makeup all day!
