physicians-formula Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer
physicians-formula Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer lists 29 ingredients on its label, 29 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
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.
- Water/Eau
- Dodecane
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Glycerin
- Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
- Glyceryl Stearate
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Polyisobutene
- Phenoxyethanol
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Ethylene Brassylate
- Panthenol
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Hexylene Glycol
- PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Disodium EDTA
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
- Tin Oxide
- Tocopherol
- Carmine
- Iron Oxides
- Mica
- Titanium Dioxide
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains EU-26 allergensContains fragranceContains essential oilsContains animal-derived
Key ingredients
- 溶剂
- Water/Eau
- PERFUMING
- Dodecane
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- FILM FORMING
- Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
- BULKING
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
- EMULSION STABILISING
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- OPACIFYING
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Other ingredients
Glyceryl StearatePEG-100 StearatePolyisobutenePhenoxyethanolCaprylyl GlycolEthylene BrassylatePanthenolEthylhexylglycerinHexylene GlycolPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut EtherTocopheryl AcetateDisodium EDTASorbitan IsostearateRetinyl PalmitateHelianthus Annuus Seed OilTin OxideTocopherolCarmineIron OxidesMicaTitanium Dioxide
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water/Eau | 溶剂 | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dodecane | PERFUMING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, PERFUMING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer | FILM FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Synthetic Fluorphlogopite | BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer | EMULSION STABILISING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Polymethylsilsesquioxane | OPACIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glyceryl Stearate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| PEG-100 Stearate | SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Polyisobutene | BINDING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Caprylyl Glycol | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ethylene Brassylate | FRAGRANCE, TONIC | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Hexylene Glycol | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, PERFUMING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 1 · – | Green |
| Tocopheryl Acetate | ANTIOXIDANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Disodium EDTA | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sorbitan Isostearate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Retinyl Palmitate | SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS · 限制 III/376 | 1 · 2 | Green |
| Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Tin Oxide | ABRASIVE, BULKING, OPACIFYING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Tocopherol | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Carmine | 着色剂 | 0 · – | Green |
| Iron Oxides | 着色剂 | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Mica | ANTICAKING, BULKING, COLORANT, OPACIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Titanium Dioxide | UV FILTER · 附录 VI · 最高浓度 25%* *: In case of combined use of Titanium Dioxide and Titanium Dioxide (nano), the sum shall not exceed the limit given in column g (Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation) · 限制 <empty>; as a constituent of other substances, or in mixtures, in concentrations equal to, or greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be placed on the market, or used, as substance or in mixtures in concentrations equal to ot greater than 0.1% by weight; Shall not be used as propellant in aerosols for any use. Aerosols dispenser containing the substance as propellant shall not | 0 · 0 | Yellow |
Ingredients explained
- Water/Eau
- Water as base solvent; no irritation, but requires preservatives to prevent microbial growth.
- Dodecane
- Light hydrocarbon oil, low-viscosity lubricant; slight occlusion at high levels, oxidizable, add antioxidants
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Synthetic ester emollient with light skin feel; small molecule, slightly comedogenic, use cautiously for acne-prone skin, often blended with other oils.
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
- Plant oil copolymer for film formation and improved feel.
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
- Mica filler at 1-10%; luster/thickening, inert, verify mineral purity, no public comedogenic data.
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
- Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.
- Polyisobutene
- Inert film former and occlusive; increases viscosity, slippery feel, used in lipsticks
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol
- Ethylene Brassylate
- Ethylene brassylate for fragrance and toning; potential sensitizer
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel
- Hexylene Glycol
- Polyol solvent and humectant with penetration enhancement; limit concentration to avoid irritation, no specific allergen tag
- PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
- PEG-containing non-ionic surfactant for emulsification and cleansing; monitor PEG contamination and sensitive skin compatibility.
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light
- Disodium EDTA
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Non-ionic emulsifier (low HLB); typically used in blends, low comedogenicity, soft skin feel.
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Vitamin A ester for skin conditioning; light-sensitive, requires protection, avoid in pregnancy.
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
- Sunflower seed oil for emollient/occlusive; high linoleic acid, low comedogenicity.
- Tin Oxide
- Inorganic mineral pigment providing opacity and suspension; requires skin safety assessment, typically used in sunscreens or powder colorants.
- Tocopherol
- Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light
- Carmine
- Natural red colorant (cochineal); may trigger reactions in those with insect protein allergy
- Iron Oxides
- Inorganic pigment for color; particulate form, inhalation risk low in cosmetics.
- Mica
- Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required
- Titanium Dioxide
- Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-19. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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