NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer | NARS Cosmetics
Works for
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tripeptide-5, Dimethicone + 8 moreWorks well
“The appearance of skin is smoothed with supportive Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid, which reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores by helping plump the look of skin.”
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 acetylated 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: dimethicone, peg-10 dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-5
Anti-agingPalmitoyl tripeptide-5, Tocopherol + 2 moreMay help
“The appearance of skin is smoothed with supportive Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid, which reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores by helping plump the look of skin.”
This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-5. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid ~0.1–0.5%, below the ~4% it needs + 1 moreUnder-dosed
“* 100% agree it neutralizes the appearance of unwanted skin discoloration for a more even complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Dimethicone~22–33%
- 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 DimethiconeWater~11–17%
Glycerin~4.5–6.8%
- 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 GlycerinNylon-12~3.5–5.2%
Butylene glycol~2.4–3.6%
- 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 glycolParaffin~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerDicaprylyl carbonate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePeg-10 dimethicone~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeSorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.85–1.3%
Peg-400~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~0.85–1.25%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.45–1.05%
- 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 hydroxidePolysilicone-2~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Microcrystalline wax~0.3–0.75%
Barium sulfate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Distearyldimonium chloride~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitic acid~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidHydrogen dimethicone~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconePalmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAscorbic acid~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidRetinyl palmitate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAlumina~0.2–0.8%
- 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 AluminaSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateTocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 77163~0.05–0.25%
Iron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- 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 oxidesMica~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.25%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Dimethicone, Water, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Butylene glycol, Paraffin, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Peg-10 dimethicone, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Peg-400, Silica, Aluminum hydroxide, Polysilicone-2, Microcrystalline wax, Barium sulfate, Distearyldimonium chloride, Palmitic acid, Hydrogen dimethicone, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Alumina, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 77163, Iron oxides, Mica, Titanium dioxide
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| NARSSoft Matte Complete Concealer | NARS CosmeticsYOUR PRODUCT | Peter Thomas RothFirm X Collagen Serum | RéViveMasque de Volûme Sculpting and Firming Mask | Miss SpaRich Face Illuminating Crème Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 55% | 55% |
| Price | — | $69.30 | $129.50 | $9.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 | Oligopeptide-41 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NACIFIC Phyto Niacin Whitening Tone-Up CreamBIODANCE Pore tightening collagen ampoule
Product summary
"NARS - Soft Matte Complete Concealer | NARS Cosmetics" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.10% - 0.45%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.10% - 0.40%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.15% - 0.55%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that theynare helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Humectants (sodium acetylated hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.40% and glycerin 4.50% - 6.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 77.11CA$ in Canada, for 68.08A$ in Australia, for 14.34$ in the United States and for 19.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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