IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm Versus Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Dipropylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
