e.l.f. e l f acne fighting foundation

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Salicylic Acid
2. Water
3. Cyclopentasiloxane
4. Dimethicone
5. Ethoxydiglycol
6. Propylene Glycol
7. PEG-10 Dimethicone
8. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
9. Cyclohexasiloxane
10. Nylon-12
11. Dimethicone Crosspolymer
12. Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
13. Triethoxycaprylylsilane
14. Talc
15. Quaternium-18 Bentonite
16. Magnesium Sulfate
17. Butylene Glycol
18. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
19. Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
20. Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
21. Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
22. Glycerin
23. Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
24. Caprylyl Glycol
25. Ethylhexylglycerin
26. Phenoxyethanol
27. Titanium Dioxide
28. Iron Oxides (Ci 77491
29. Ci 77492
30. Ci 77499)

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains mineral oilContains EU-26 allergensContains essential oilsContains fragrance

Formulation view Water-based foundation with BHA, cyclopentasiloxane, and dimethicone for spreadability, using PEG-10 dimethicone for sheen. Contains witch hazel, tea tree oil, and melon skin extract for soothing, adjusted by mica. Preserved by phenoxyethanol. For acne-prone skin, ensuring particle dispersion.

Key ingredients

ANTI-SEBORRHEIC

Salicylic Acid

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

CyclopentasiloxaneHydrogenated Polyisobutene

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

HUMECTANT

EthoxydiglycolPropylene Glycol

HAIR CONDITIONING

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Other ingredients

CyclohexasiloxaneNylon-12Dimethicone CrosspolymerDimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerTriethoxycaprylylsilaneTalcQuaternium-18 BentoniteMagnesium SulfateButylene GlycolAloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractHamamelis Virginiana ExtractMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilCinnamomum Camphora Bark OilGlycerinPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanolTitanium DioxideIron Oxides (Ci 77491Ci 77492Ci 77499)

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Salicylic Acid

Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclopentasiloxane for emollient/solvent; volatile silicone, smooth feel, check VOC regulations.

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Ethoxydiglycol

Ethoxydiglycol; high-perf solv/humectant; low irrit, EU limit 20%, watch total PEG load

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Modified silicone for silky feel and shine; PEG structure aids O/W emulsification, used in hair and skin care.

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Hydrogenated polyisobutene; petroleum-derived lubricant forming breathable film; high purity, low irritation/comedogenicity.

Cyclohexasiloxane

Volatile cyclic silicone evaporating without residue; ensure compliance with EU limits on cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, use octamer

Nylon-12

Not decoded yet

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer providing silkiness and viscosity control; for hair and skin; inert but hard to biodegrade.

Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer

Silicone/PEG crosspolymer for film forming and viscosity; low irritation; PEG debate at high conc

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silane coupling agent at 0.1-0.5%; enhances inorganic filler adhesion, trace use, low toxicity, avoid direct contact with aqueous systems.

Talc

Inorganic mineral powder for texture and oil absorption; must be asbestos-free; fineness affects skin feel and safety, avoid inhalation.

Quaternium-18 Bentonite

Anionic clay complex for high viscosity and suspension; incompatible with cationics

Magnesium Sulfate

Bulk agent at 0.1–1%; highly water-soluble, avoid high local concentration.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Aloe vera leaf extract for soothing and humectant; monitor polysaccharide level and endotoxins

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Botanical extract for astringent and sebum control; mild irritation risk for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Tea tree oil, antibacterial and sebum regulating; highly sensitizing at concentrate level, dilute; avoid on broken skin.

Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil

Camphor bark oil containing camphor and linalool; strong scent, potential allergen, strict concentration control needed

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Peptide for elasticity; use per vendor specs. No public irritancy or comedogenic data.

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention

Iron Oxides (Ci 77491

Not decoded yet

Ci 77492

Iron oxide red; stable inorganic pigment, non-toxic; ensure dispersion to prevent sedimentation.

Ci 77499)

Not decoded yet

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