Hourglass Cosmetics Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Beige
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingPeg-10 dimethicone, Dimethicone + 14 moreGood evidence
“Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Beige”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cera microcristallina, dimethicone.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Features & benefits. . A supremely hydrating and firming foundation with a luminous finish that evens out skin tone, softens imperfections and boosts moisture levels in the skin .”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-agingLycium barbarum fruit extractLimited evidence
“This superior foundation employs advanced technology to promote the appearance of a smoother, firmer and more youthful complexion.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamatePentaerythrityl tetraisostearate~4–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearateCyclopentasiloxane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneHydrogenated polyisobutene~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneTitanium dioxide~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideEthylhexyl salicylate~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateEthylhexyl palmitate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateCalcium carbonate~1.5–1.8%
Glycerin~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeGlyceryl dibehenate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexyl laurate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl lauratePolyglyceryl-4 isostearate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearateDimethicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePolyethylacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateTribehenin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninAlumina~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMicrocrystalline wax~0.3–0.55%
Cera microcristallina~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
More about Cera microcristallinaEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Glyceryl behenate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateGossypium herbaceum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Hexylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolLycium barbarum fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractMagnesium sulfate~0.25–0.5%
Mica~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaPeg-10 dimethicone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconePentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-3 beeswax~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)
More about Polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxPotassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Propylene carbonate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateQuartz~0.3–0.6%
Quaternium-90 bentonite~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~0.35–0.6%
Silica dimethyl silylate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateStearic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneAluminum hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideCi 77002~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Titanium dioxide, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Calcium carbonate, Glycerin, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Glyceryl dibehenate, Hexyl laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Dimethicone, Polyethylacrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Tribehenin, Alumina, Butylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Microcrystalline wax, Cera microcristallina, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl behenate, Gossypium herbaceum, Hexylene glycol, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Magnesium sulfate, Mica, Peg-10 dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax, Potassium sorbate, Propylene carbonate, Quartz, Quaternium-90 bentonite, Silica, Silica dimethyl silylate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium chloride, Sodium hyaluronate, Stearic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum hydroxide, Ci 77002, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891
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Product summary
"Hourglass - Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Beige" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hourglass" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 56.00$ up to 64.50$ in the United States, from 55.00£ up to 84.75£ in the United Kingdom and for 74.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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