Merit Beauty Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Versus Sarah Creal Just Like Paradise 12H Peptide Sculpting Cream Bronzer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientDiisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientMethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Vinyldimethicone
Methicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-Crosspolymer
C13-15 Alkane
SolventEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-3
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Vinyldimethicone, Methicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-Crosspolymer, C13-15 Alkane, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Tripeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Synthetic Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77492
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.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Methicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
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 SilicaSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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