Is your makeup separating? The difference between water-based and silicone-based makeup

Ever find your makeup separating midway through the day? It might be because of the combination of products you’re using. Often caused by the difference in formulation, most of us tend to turn a blind eye when it comes to the ingredients that are present in our makeup products. 

There are two common types of bases: silicone-based makeup and water-based makeup.

What is silicone-based makeup? 

Silicone-based makeup are usually made with silicone derivatives. They give your skin that smooth and silky texture that we all know and love. Often times, it gives you that flawless and long-lasting finish that stays on (almost) throughout the day and you’ll usually find them in products like primers and foundations. It’s perfect, especially for those who are looking to achieve a flawless and poreless complexion as it fills in the fine lines and pores, giving you a great base for you to work with for your makeup. 

To spot silicones in your makeup, check the ingredients list for words ending in –cone, –conol, –silane, or –siloxane.

What is water-based makeup?

As its name suggests, water-based makeup uses water as its main ingredient. It usually has a lighter texture and feels a lot more breathable on the skin. These products work better for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin as it is less likely to clog pores. As for its finish, water-based products are great for those who prefer a look that’s a little more natural. 

Telling the difference between water-based and silicone-based products

While most products nowadays don’t come with the ingredient list printed on the bottles, you can still find them online. 

That being said, when you’re reading the list, you’ll find that most water-based products contain the word “Water” or “Aqua” which means that the product contains more water than any other ingredient. Besides that, keep a lookout for emollients, emulsifiers, and humectants in the first five to seven ingredients. Some of the common ones you’ll see are various esters like coco-caprylate/caprate, ethylhexyl olivate, various types of palmitates, isododecane, and alkanes, like c9-12 alkane or coconut alkanes. These wate-based products also have a natural and lightweight finish and may require frequent touchups throughout the day. 

As for silicone-based products, they’ll likely have ingredients that end in “cone.” For instance, dimethicone and trimethicone. These products are also a lot more long-wearing and resistant to sweat and oil – which is perfect if you’re going out the whole day. Of course, these silicone-based makeup also offer a thicker texture that provides you with more coverage and a poreless finish.