Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer versus Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer .
Published on June 29, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any oils or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer 46 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer 46 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer 46 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Water • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate • Sodium Polyacrylate • Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract • Polysorbate 80 • Phenoxyethanol • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Tocopheryl Acetate • Panthenol • Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract • Disodium EDTA • Parfum • Linalool • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Peg-8 • Lactobacillus Ferment • Tocopherol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Lecithin • Alcohol Denat. • Geraniol • Pantolactone • BHA • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Citronellol • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Coffea Arabica Seed Extract • Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract • Benzyl Benzoate • Limonene • Angelica Archangelica Root Extract • Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract • Maltodextrin • Citric Acid • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Xanthan Gum • Ascorbic Acid • Caprylyl Glycol • Sclerotium Gum • Sorbic Acid • Adenosine Phosphate • CI 19140 • CI 15985
Water • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Alcohol Denat. • Glycerin • Dipropylene Glycol • Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Morus Bombycis Root Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract • Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract • Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Lecithin • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Dimethicone • Petrolatum • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Peg-20 • Peg-150 • Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer • Propylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Citric Acid • Sodium Chloride • Potassium Hydroxide • Sodium Citrate • Phenoxyethanol • Methylparaben • Propylparaben • CI 77015 • CI 77891
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 GlycerinPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.
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 AcetatePhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 11.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosidePhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Learn more about LecithinPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 22.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhilosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 37.
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 29.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer 46 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
Usage
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When to use
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Oil Free Mattifying Moisturizer 46 ingredients
Merle Norman Brilliant-C Moisturizer 37 ingredients
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