Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Pen Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Flawless Brightening Concealer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica Silylate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Propylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tetrasodium EDTA, Isostearyl Alcohol, Alumina, Lauroyl Lysine, Propylene Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica Silylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
Diglycerin
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum PCA
AstringentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexylglycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Alum
AstringentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Octyldodecanol, Mica, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Diglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum PCA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Alum, 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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.
This 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 CarbonateSilica, 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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 Water
