Merit Beauty Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Versus Dior Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Myristate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Isostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Lecithin, Methicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, BHT, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningLinalyl Acetate
Masking
Anethole
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantC15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Mica, Saccharomyces Ferment, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Silica, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Lauroyl Lysine, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Linalyl Acetate, Anethole, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylic/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 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
