NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

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. Dimethicone
2. Water
3. Glycerin
4. Butylene Glycol
5. Nylon-12
6. Paraffin
7. Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
8. Dicaprylyl Carbonate
9. Zinc Oxide
10. PEG-10 Dimethicone
11. PEG 400
12. Sorbitan sesquiisostearate
13. Microcrystalline Wax
14. Phenoxyethanol
15. Polysilicone-2
16. Silica
17. Barium Sulfate
18. Dextrin palmitate
19. Distearyldimonium chloride
20. Aluminum hydroxide
21. Palmitic Acid
22. Hydrogen Dimethicone
23. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
24. Ascorbic Acid
25. Retinyl Palmitate
26. Tocopheryl Acetate
27. Alumina
28. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
29. Tocopherol
30. Mica
31. Titanium Dioxide
32. Iron Oxides

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains fragranceContains mineral oilContains PEG

Key ingredients

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

DENATURANT

Glycerin

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

SKIN CONDITIONING

ParaffinDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

ANTIMICROBIAL

Zinc Oxide

Other ingredients

Nylon-12PEG-10 DimethiconePEG 400Sorbitan sesquiisostearateMicrocrystalline WaxPhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-2SilicaBarium SulfateDextrin palmitateDistearyldimonium chlorideAluminum hydroxidePalmitic AcidHydrogen DimethiconePalmitoyl Tripeptide-5Ascorbic AcidRetinyl PalmitateTocopheryl AcetateAluminaSodium Acetylated HyaluronateTocopherolMicaTitanium DioxideIron Oxides

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Dimethicone

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

Water

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

Glycerin

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

Butylene Glycol

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

Nylon-12

Not decoded yet

Paraffin

Paraffin wax for occlusion/viscosity control; inert/safe, may affect breathability

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone thickener at 0.5-2%; silky/matte feel, non-comedogenic, partial oil phase incompatibility, use co-solvent/pre-emulsification.

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Light emollient solvent at 5–15%; mineral oil-free, refreshing feel, low sensitization.

Zinc Oxide

Physical UV filter, 30% max in EU; oily at high levels, pair with oils for feel.

PEG-10 Dimethicone

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

PEG 400

Not decoded yet

Sorbitan sesquiisostearate

Non-ionic emulsifier for O/W systems; very low irritation when pure, but patch testing is recommended for sensitive consumers.

Microcrystalline Wax

Petroleum-derived hard wax for lipsticks and ointments; provides high-melting structure, heavy feel, potentially comedogenic

Phenoxyethanol

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

Polysilicone-2

Not decoded yet

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Barium Sulfate

Inert mineral filler and thickener; not absorbed by skin, avoid dust inhalation in powder processes

Dextrin palmitate

Modified polysaccharide ester for emulsifying and anticaking; mild cleanser; used in solid soaps or powders.

Distearyldimonium chloride

Cationic hair detangler; add with nonionics to reduce tack at high levels.

Aluminum hydroxide

Aluminum hydroxide for emollient/thickening; opacifier, used in antiperspirants, particulate risk.

Palmitic Acid

Palmitic acid for emulsification/emollient; solid fat, high melting point, occlusive.

Hydrogen Dimethicone

Hydrogenated dimethicone for film-forming and slip; low volatility, rich feel for dry skin

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Peptide actives for skin conditioning; typically used at low levels.

Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C, potent antioxidant requiring acidic environment for stability; oxidizes and discolors easily, needs light and air protection, concentration 1-10%, pure L-ascorbic acid is more irritating.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin A ester for skin conditioning; light-sensitive, requires protection, avoid in pregnancy.

Tocopheryl Acetate

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

Alumina

Alumina, inorganic abrasive/thickener; nano-grade requires inhalation risk assessment.

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Acetylated HA; modified for hydrophobicity, improved penetration and non-tacky feel compared to standard HA.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Mica

Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required

Titanium Dioxide

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

Iron Oxides

Inorganic pigment for color; particulate form, inhalation risk low in cosmetics.