Physicians Formula Foundation Ingredients Review

Have you ever stopped to think about how your foundation really makes you feel—not just in how it performs, but how it blends with your skin tone and, most importantly, what it’s made of? For many women, liquid foundation is the first essential step in their makeup routine—laying the groundwork, quite literally, like a smooth canvas before a masterpiece comes to life. But here’s the thing: when you wear something every day, it’s not just about coverage or finish—it’s about trust. You deserve a product that not only enhances your natural beauty but also supports the health of your skin. That’s why ingredient safety isn’t just a bonus—it’s a must. So, let’s take a closer look at Physicians Formula foundations and see whether they are gentle and clean because, after all, beauty should never come at the expense of your health. 

Physicians Formula Foundation Ingredients Review

To begin with, I have already written a review on a Physicians Formula foundation before. Specifically, in 2021, I reviewed the ingredients for Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20. At that time, it contained some concerning ingredients, including octinoxate, avobenzone, and octocrylene as well as cyclopentasiloxane, acrylates, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, and even BHT. In simple terms, I don’t believe it was safe enough for your health or you skin.

However, as of April 2025, Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20 is no longer available on the company’s website (assumedly, discontinued). Instead, there is a “cruelty free, paraben free, gluten free, clinically tested, and containing ingredients from organic farming” Organic Wear Silk Foundation Elixir. The ingredient list has none of the “concerning” ingredients from the previous formulation, and the pigments it uses are of the mineral decent, namely: iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), titanium dioxide (CI 77891).

Generally speaking, ingredient-wise, this liquid foundation looks good to me, except one thing – I cannot speak of the quality and purity of the ingredients. Plus, I’m not comfortable trusting this company. Here is why.

Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer Ingredients Review

Just as I began to celebrate the discovery of a promising new Physicians Formula foundation, my excitement quickly faded when I examined the ingredients of another product from the same brand—Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer. To my surprise, its formula includes several of the same problematic ingredients that had previously raised concerns in the now-discontinued Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20. The contrast between this product and the Organic Wear Silk Foundation Elixir is striking—so much so, it’s hard to believe they were created by the same company.

This kind of inconsistency is not only disappointing but also underscores the importance of scrutinizing ingredient lists, rather than relying solely on brand reputation. It serves as a clear reminder that labeling an entire brand as “clean” can be misleading. This is precisely why I always urge my readers to look beyond the label and evaluate each product’s ingredients (my Savvy Consumer Superpower e-book will help you with that!).

Let’s look at the ingredients for the Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer and discuss the ingredients in bold:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tria(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance/Parfum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tribehenin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Sterols, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Len Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate. May Contain/Peut Contenir: Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Cyclopentasiloxane

First, cyclopentasiloxane (aka D5) gives a silky and slippery feel when applied to skin and hair. On the one hand, scientists observed carcinogenic effects only after 12 months of exposure to high doses, which does not seem applicable to products used topically.  

On the other hand, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports it as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) in the environment and under assessment as persistent organic pollutant (POP). In addition, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) suggests that cyclopentasiloxane may contain trace amounts of cyclotetrasiloxane. It is considered to be an endocrine disruptor because it interferes with human hormone function and human fertility. This is why the European Union banned cyclotetrasiloxane from the use in cosmetic products (source). Moreover, cyclopentasiloxane is also suspected of being an endocrine disruptor (source).

Listed first among the ingredients in this Physicians Formula foundation, it is most likely used in larger amounts. Personally, I wouldn’t put it on my face. You can learn more about this ingredient in my blog post The Intriguing Story of Cyclopentasiloxane.  

PEGs And Dimethicone

Second, Lauryl PEG-10 Tria(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone and Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone are ethoxylated ingredients. They are made through the process of ethoxylation in which carcinogenic ethylene oxide reacts with other ingredients to make them less harsh on the skin. One of the minuses is the appearance of 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct classified by the EPA as “a likely human carcinogen.”  Also, FDA studies suggest that 1,4-dioxane can circulate in the human body after getting there through the skin.  

Unless the manufacturer handles 1,4-dioxane properly, it remains in a product as a contaminant, but not as an ingredient.  So, in a way, it can be one of the hidden ingredients in body products.  

As consumers, we cannot know if there is any 1,4-dioxane in skincare products we buy.  Moreover, the companies that sell the products may not know either.  While I am not saying that there is 1,4-dioxane in the Physicians Formula foundation, I want you to know about the possibility.

Acrylates

Third, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer is a film-forming agent known for creating a smooth, soft feel and adding water resistance to formulations. However, according to the ECHA, acrylate copolymer is skin sensitizing.

Phenoxyethanol

Next, phenoxyethanol is a “middle-of-the-road” preservative that has shown no links to cancer or endocrine disruption. Yet, because it is made by reacting highly corrosive phenol with carcinogenic ethylene oxide, it may contain residues of both.  Additionally, the American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists phenoxyethanol among core allergens even in concentrations as low as 1%. Plus, a recent study found that phenoxyethanol can be harmful to the cells in the glands that keep our eyes moist and healthy. All in all, I do not promote any products with phenoxyethanol. You can learn more about this preservative in my blog post Phenoxyethanol in Skincare.

Fragrance

Further, fragrance (aka parfum) is a mix of numerous ingredients that manufacturers choose not to disclose referring to this information as “proprietary.” In the meantime, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists more than 3000 materials that manufacturers can use to make up fragrance mixes. Many of these materials have association with allergic contact dermatitis, respiratory distress, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and even cancer. You can learn more about fragrance in my blog posts Is Natural Fragrance Safe? and Hypoallergenic Perfumes.

Sodium Benzoate And Vitamin C

Furthermore, this Physicians Formula foundation + concealer lists both vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) and sodium benzoate. While stable form of vitamin C is great in skincare (learn more in my blog post What Is A Vitamin C Serum?), its combination with the sodium benzoate preservative arouses  some concerns. Specifically, there is the potential for the formation of carcinogenic benzene when ascorbic acid and benzoic acid or benzoate salts interact with one another. You can learn more about that in my blog post Sodium Benzoate & Citric Acid Myth.

No Ingredients From Organic Farming

Lastly, unlike Organic Wear Silk Foundation Elixir, Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer lists no ingredients from organic farming. What’s wrong with that? Well, there are risks of pesticide and herbicide contamination as well as potentially harmful solvent residues present in the product. Therefore, I prefer skincare brands that use organic ingredients whenever possible. (Learn more about why “organic” is important in my blog post How To Avoid GMO Products.)

Conclusion: Is Physicians Formula Foundation Safe?

In My Opinion, Physicians Formula Butter Believe It Foundation + Concealer Contains Ingredients That Pose Potential Health Risks.

To sum up, though paraben free, gluten free, cruelty free, clinically tested, and vegan, Physicians Formula Butter Believe It Foundation + Concealer falls short of being safe, in my opinion, due to the presence of ingredients of concern, including cyclopentasiloxane, ethoxylated ingredients, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, and some others.   

To avoid all those ingredients and potential health risks involved with their use, opt for toxic-free makeup like Crunchi. I vetted every ingredient in every Crunchi product for safety and like using them myself.

For example, you can go for Crunchi Liquid Foundation or Crunchi Sunlight Tinted SPF 30 foundation + moisturizer.  Specifically, I use the tinted one as I do not need as much coverage as the liquid foundation provides. Plus, it delivers moisturization and sun protection as well.

Feel free to navigate the I Read Labels For You blog for the information on non-toxic living. Also, check out my shop and Amazon shop for numerous options of non-toxic products. Finally, gain exclusive content, special discounts, and the motivation you need for a healthy journey by receiving my free emails instantly and download my e-books created to help you become a savvy consumer!