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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff versus Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium .

Last updated on October 25, 2023. Published on April 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Foundation American Brand United States
Concealer American Brand United States

Foundation

A liquid, cream, or powder to help create an even complexion or cover blemishes.

Concealer

A liquid or cream used to hide blemishes on the skin.

Price

Shop

Buy The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

Starts at $38.00
Shop

Buy Clear Complexion Concealer

Starts at $6.98

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 4.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 18.

2
What it does: Abrasive
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.

Polyethylene is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 5.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 14.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 10.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 29.

4
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 14.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 28.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 15.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 16.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 21.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 19.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 21.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 3.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 22.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 1.

10
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 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 77491

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 25.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 32.

11
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Buff contains this as ingredient number 26.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 200 Light Medium contains this as ingredient number 35.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

19% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Buildable (1) Good Color (1) Matte (1) Medium Coverage (1) Natural (1)
chlolands's avatar

chlolands

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer 36 ingredients

Clear Complexion Concealer hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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