Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Versus Naming Layered Fit Cushion SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Synthetic Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cera Microcristallina, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Water, Mica, BHT, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Isododecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Alumina
Abrasive
Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Surfactant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol Caprylate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisiloxane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Iron Oxides, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pvp, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
