Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Japan Versus Kosé SUNCUT Aqualy UV Protect Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
Updated on December 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients
Kosé SUNCUT Aqualy UV Protect Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients
Kosé SUNCUT Aqualy UV Protect Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xylitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Heptanol
Perfuming
Agar
MaskingSorbitan Distearate
EmollientIsoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer
Stearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingArginine
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Palmitic Acid, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Behenate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Heptanol, Agar, Sorbitan Distearate, Isoceteth-20, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Royal Jelly Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA, BHT, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Clematis Vitalba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentCitrus Nobilis
Peat Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
PEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Vinyldimethicone
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Rapeseed Glycerides
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polysilicone-15, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Clematis Vitalba Leaf Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Calendula Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Citrus Nobilis, Peat Extract, BHT, Disodium EDTA, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Acrylates Copolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Carbomer, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Silica, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Stearic Acid, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Titanium Dioxide
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 GlycerinPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients
Kosé SUNCUT Aqualy UV Protect Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 37 ingredients
Used the 2017 version and the latest version. All signs point to me hating this sunscreen (alcohol, fragrance etc) but it’s just so good. The texture is unbeatable, it looks so nice on, and layers well throughout the day. Love that it comes in a bigger size these days.
I’ve been using this for a year and a half and it’s my favorite sunscreen. Absorbs into skin quickly, and when applied every two hours I’ve never ever gotten burned. Doesn’t irritate my sensitive acne prone skin and doesn’t make me feel greasy.
