Versus

Jones Road What The Foundation - Porcelain Versus Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick - Buff

Foundation
Foundation
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 18, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe foundations. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
What The Foundation

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

We don't have a description for Stearalkonium Hectorite yet.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This wax is added to help give a thicker texture. It also helps create a film when applied.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax contains aliphatic esters, diesters of cinnamic acid, myricyl cerotate, and small quantities of cerotic acid and myricyl alcohol.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax has commonly been used in Brazilian Folk medicine.

Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
Cosmetic Colorant

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. 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.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

Learn more about Mica
Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 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 77891

When to use

6 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
83% use every day
29 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Jones Road What The Foundation 39 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Buildable (1) Dewy (1) Good Color (1)
michelle_mabelle's avatar

Michelle MaBelle

5 months ago
Review

TL;DR: Very subtle, a little goes a long way, but very natural and dewy. Best applied by fingers, and may cause acne. Strange fragrance.

Tried this on a whim while ordering the Miracle Balm and decided to keep it after waffling on it for a couple of days. I find this the most natural of all the CC's I've worn, and it CAN potentially break you out (it did, mildly), but I didn't notice any large, Show more

#light coverage
#dewy
#buildable
#good color
Wren1358's avatar

Wren P

6 months ago
Review

I'm so frustrated with this product. It honestly seems like it might be pretty good skincare/foundation except that the smell is so strong and unpleasant that it's completely unusable. I don't understand why they put that in there and ruin a potentially otherwise good product. Who could possibly want to smell like this??

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick 26 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Good Color (2) Medium Coverage (2) Natural (2)
chlolands's avatar

chlolands

1 year ago
Review

Works best if skin is prepped well. Very easy to apply and looks super natural.

#medium coverage
#matte
#natural
#buildable