Nars illuminator

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. Aqua
2. Butylene Glycol
3. Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate
4. Glycerin
5. Sorbitol
6. Isododecane
7. Dimethicone
8. PEG-32
9. PEG-6
10. Polysorbate 60
11. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
12. Cetyl Alcohol
13. Phenoxyethanol
14. Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
15. Ethylhexylglycerin
16. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
17. Sorbitan Stearate
18. Steareth-8
19. Xanthan Gum
20. Sodium magnesium silicate
21. Orange
22. Raspberry
23. Black Currant
24. Dipropylene glycol
25. Trisodium EDTA
26. Tocopheryl Acetate
27. Bisabolol
28. Panthenol
29. Boswellia Serrata Gum
30. Sodium Hyaluronate
31. Sunflower
32. Rosemary
33. Linalool
34. Limonene
35. Mica
36. CI 77891
37. CI 77491
38. CI 77492
39. CI 77499
40. CI 77163
41. CI 75470

Highlights

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

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

HUMECTANT

Butylene GlycolSorbitol

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateIsododecane

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Polysorbate 60

Other ingredients

PEG-32PEG-6Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerCetyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanolAcrylates/Dimethicone CopolymerEthylhexylglycerinHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan StearateSteareth-8Xanthan GumSodium magnesium silicateOrangeRaspberryBlack CurrantDipropylene glycolTrisodium EDTATocopheryl AcetateBisabololPanthenolBoswellia Serrata GumSodium HyaluronateSunflowerRosemaryLinaloolLimoneneMicaCI 77891CI 77491CI 77492CI 77499CI 77163CI 75470

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Butylene Glycol

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

Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate

Esther emollient for a light, silky feel; heavy at high concentrations.

Glycerin

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

Sorbitol

Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.

Dimethicone

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

PEG-32

Not decoded yet

PEG-6

Not decoded yet

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

Phenoxyethanol

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

Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer

Silicone copolymer for anti-caking and film formation, gives non-greasy slip.

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

Sorbitan Stearate

Non-ionic emulsifier for O/W systems; hydrophobic, requires co-emulsifiers, inert at high purity

Steareth-8

Not decoded yet

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Sodium magnesium silicate

Sodium magnesium silicate as thickener and oil absorber; non-irritating, mind dust safety.

Orange

Not decoded yet

Raspberry

Raspberry ingredient, likely extract or oil; contains polyphenols for antioxidant care; allergenic potential in concentrates.

Black Currant

Not decoded yet

Dipropylene glycol

Solvent for essential oils; better humectancy than PEG

Trisodium EDTA

Metal chelator improving formula stability and synergizing preservatives; used at very low levels (<0.1%), control heavy metals.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Boswellia Serrata Gum

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Sunflower

Not decoded yet

Rosemary

Plant extract acting as natural antioxidant; verify purity, high concentrations may require caution.

Linalool

Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Mica

Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required

CI 77891

Titanium dioxide inorganic pigment and UV filter; assess inhalation risk for nano-forms and EU restrictions

CI 77491

Iron oxides red; physical pigment. Coloring and photo-protective, stable and non-irritating.

CI 77492

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

CI 77499

Inorganic colorant manganese dioxide used in cosmetics; restricted use component subject to regulatory limits.

CI 77163

Titanium dioxide; physical UV filter and white pigment; not absorbed; potential for rare sensitivity, patch test.

CI 75470

Inorganic pigment for color and scent; EU restricted, compliance required.