Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45 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
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2.7%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.7%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 3.8%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Algae Extract
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Methicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2.7%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Zinc Oxide 3.8%, Water, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Polysilicone-11, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Algae Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Caffeine, Jojoba Esters, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lecithin, Trehalose, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Phospholipids, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, Laureth-7, Linoleic Acid, Methicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Silica, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, Triolein, Betaine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 BHTCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone 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 GlycerinMica 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
