Merit Beauty Flush Balm Versus Ilia Multi-Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Methicone
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Methicone, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45410
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Cera
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cera Alba, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Cera, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Citric Acid, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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 77891Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
