Read the Label Online: Sephora's Instant Airbrush Foundation

Sephora Instant Airbrush Foundation
Sephora Instant Airbrush Foundation

Now one can achieve the “mistake-proof and gorgeous look” results of a makeup artist at home with Sephora Instant Airbrush Foundation, available in three shades: light, medium and tan. This aerosol spray allows consumers to customize coverage level by adjusting three settings from light to high, and is formulated for both the face and body. This column will review the ingredient listing for claims substantiation and functionality.

This product is a water-in-silicone emulsion that is pressurized with the aerosol propellants butane and isobutane. The moisturizers or emollients are caprylic/capric triglycerides and the many silicone derivatives, which support the “oil-free” claim. Cyclopentasiloxane, a volatile silicone, supports the “lightweight” claim. Also present are PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, triethoxycaprylsilane, PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone, cetyl PEG/PPG 10/1 dimethicone, and dimethiconol.

Additional moisturizers are the humectants glycerin and propylene glycol. Disteardimonium hectorite and carbomer are rheology modifiers and stabilizers present at a very low percentages to maintain the product’s low viscosity for sprayability and to prevent settling of the pigments. The film-former is trimethylsiloxysilicate and dimethicone, which supports the “stays beautiful all day” claim.

The bioactive or cosmeceutical ingredients are tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E acetate), retinyl palmitate (vitamin A palmitate), palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, for which no claims are made. The botanical extracts of Anthemis nobilis (sunflower) and Corallina officinalis (calcified red seaweed) are unlikely present in the formula at a significant level to “protect the skin from environmental stresses and to smooth the skin’s appearance.”

The titanium dioxide and iron oxides are the opacifiers and colorants, and hydrated silica helps to gel and mattify the formula. The paraben-free preservative system consists of phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, hexylene glycol and caprylyl glycol, which is supplied as a blend. The formula is fragrance-free.

One interesting note is that the product claims it has a “non-comedogenic texture” and has been “dermatologically tested.” However, non-comedogenic is not a texture; this means the product will not tend to clog pores.

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