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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping versus Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian .

Last updated on April 22, 2024. Published on March 25, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both lipsticks. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils 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.

Lipstick British Brand United Kingdom
Lipstick American Brand United States

Lipstick

Lipstick is used to color the lips.

Lipstick

Lipstick is used to color the lips.

Price

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
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 (4)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
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.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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: 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.

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 1.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Abrasive, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.

It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.

Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Synthetic Wax

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 2.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.

As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing oils and water from separating.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 7.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.

Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 11.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 17.

5
What it does: Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.

Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.

Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.

Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 12.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 18.

6
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.

The color of this dye is orange/yellow.

This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.

Learn more about CI 15985

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 13.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 29.

7
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

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 14.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 9.

8
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 15850

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 17.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 25.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Hydrogenated Olive Oil is created from adding hydrogen to olive oil. This creates more stability.

The primary contents of olive oil are glycerides of the fatty acids linoleic, oleic and palmitic.

Olive oil also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Antioxidants may help reduce signs of aging by fighting unstable free-radical molecules. It also contains Vitamins A (retinol), D, and K.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Olive Oil

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 22.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 6.

10
What it does: Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of the Olive. In other words - olive oil.

The primary contents of olive oil are glycerides of the fatty acids linoleic, oleic and palmitic.

Olive oil also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Antioxidants may help reduce signs of aging by fighting unstable free-radical molecules. It also contains Vitamins A (retinol), D, and K.

The squalene in olive oil makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by trapping moisture in. This makes olive oil a great skin moisturizer.

Studies show olive oil to have antibacterial and antifungal properties in low concentrations. Another study found olive oil irritated sensitive oily skin. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 23.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 11.

11
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Hydrogenated Castor Oil is created by adding hydrogen to castor oil. This helps stabilize the castor oil and raises the melting point. At room temperature, hydrogenated castor oil is solid.

Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.

As a wax-like substance, Hydrogenated Castor Oil acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin stay soft and smooth by creating a barrier. This barrier helps trap moisture.

Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Castor Oil

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 29.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 22.

12
What it does: Gel Forming

We don't have a description for Stearalkonium Hectorite.

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 34.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 16.

13
What it does: Solvent

This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.

Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.

Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.

Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.

Learn more about Propylene Carbonate

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 38.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 20.

14
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.

The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly. In fact, it is commonly used to evenly mix sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone. It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Palmitate

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 39.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 2.

15
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 45.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 15.

16
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 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.

V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping contains this as ingredient number 52.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian contains this as ingredient number 24.

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

16% are loved or liked
22% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet
10% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
33% have no rating yet

Usage

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

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to V&A Beauty Rouge Essential Lipstick Matte Popping.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 17 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Equestrian.

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