Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45 Versus Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 45.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventC13-15 Alkane
SolventIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingC15-19 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Diglycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglycerin-4
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide, Water, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Isoamyl Laurate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Zea Mays Starch, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, C15-19 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Diglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethyl Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglycerin-4, Glycerin, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHexyl Laurate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantJasminum Grandiflorum Stem Extract
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Amodimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Jasminum Grandiflorum Stem Extract, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Amodimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Glucose, Citric Acid, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCi 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.
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 77891Diglycerin is a humectant. It is derived from glycerin, which is naturally found in your skin.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture to the skin from the air.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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