NYX Professional Makeup Born to Glow! Liquid Illuminator Highlighter

NYX Professional Makeup Born to Glow! Liquid Illuminator Highlighter

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane + 3 more
Works

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~6–9%
CyclopentasiloxaneKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~3.9–5.8%
Ethylhexyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~0.35–0.8%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~2.2–3.3%
C13-14 isoparaffin· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency~1.1–1.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Benzophenone-3
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. 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 irritatingHigh~0.5–1.2%est.
Benzophenone-3Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorptionHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.9–2.8%est.
PolyacrylamideUsed to improve product texture and help oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.5–2.3%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.6–1.4%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Laureth-7Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.15–0.55%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~0.35–0.8%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix together2/5~0.6–1.4%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Dimethicone~6–9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane~3.9–5.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~3–4.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products

More about Synthetic fluorphlogopite
Butylene glycol~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Polysorbate 60~1.9–2.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Polyacrylamide~1.5–2.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together

More about Polyacrylamide
Tin oxide~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation

More about Tin oxide
C13-14 isoparaffin~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency

More about C13-14 isoparaffin
Sorbitan oleate~0.6–1.4%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan oleate
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Laureth-7~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Laureth-7
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

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 methoxycinnamate
Ethylhexyl palmitate~0.35–0.8%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Benzophenone-3~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption

More about Benzophenone-3
Bht~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ci 77491~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating

More about Ci 77491
Ci 77492~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant. Usually well-tolerated

More about Ci 77492
Ci 77499~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

An iron oxide. Used as a colorant. Is usually well tolerated

More about Ci 77499
Ci 77891~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Ingredient list view

Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylamide, Tin oxide, C13-14 isoparaffin, Sorbitan oleate, Disodium edta, Laureth-7, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzophenone-3, Bht, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499, Ci 77891

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
NYX Professional MakeupBorn to Glow! Liquid Illuminator HighlighterYOUR PRODUCTPaula's choiceRedness Relief 1% BHA Lotion ExfoliantLottie LondonVelvet Skin TintWhite FormulaCPAQUA Liposome Treatment Lotion With Hyaluronic Acid
Match—40%39%39%
Price——$5.26$27.20
Shared key ingredients—2 of 42 of 42 of 4
Key difference—Salicylic AcidCocos Nucifera Fruit ExtractMineral Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol—— Contains drying alcohol —
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Product summary

"NYX Professional Makeup - Born to Glow! Liquid Illuminator Highlighter" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Price

The product retails for 7.99£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

NYX Professional Makeup Born to Glow! Liquid Illuminator Highlighter
NYX Professional MakeupBorn to Glow! Liquid Illuminator Highlighter

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.