Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Cream Foundation SPF 25 Versus Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 4.4%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 1.2%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20
HumectantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Trisodium EDTA
Talc
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polysilicone-2
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
BHT
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Theanine
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 4.4%, Titanium Dioxide 1.2%, Water, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-20, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-6, PEG-32, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77120, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Trehalose, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glycine, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Behenic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, Talc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysilicone-2, Stearic Acid, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogen Dimethicone, BHT, Silica, Theanine, Tocopherol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Parfum, Iron Oxides, Mica
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Synthetic Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cera Microcristallina, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Water, Mica, BHT, CI 77491, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
