BIOTHERM Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Updated on May 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
BIOTHERM Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50 30 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
BIOTHERM Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50 30 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Parfum
Masking
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientOryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Triazone, Zea Mays Starch, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Parfum, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristic Acid, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Propanediol, Water, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Methyl Trimethicone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Metaphosphate, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneTocopherol (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 TocopherolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
BIOTHERM Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50 30 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
BIOTHERM Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50 30 ingredients
Neither scent nor texture are offputting in any way, and it is fairly easy to apply. I applied it as the last step of my routine over moisturizer.
Unfortunately, it seems to irritare and dry out the skin, clog up the pores and break me out - by the end of the day there will be tiny whiteheads. Having it under makeup created the most drylooking cakey situation I have experienced in my Show more
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Wow holy grail end game status achieved!
DO NOT REFORMULATE this, Cosrx, i swear!!!
Suuuper lightweight. Does exactly as named “light” & “invisible” which are two very important things for me as someone with oily acne prone skin in a humid climate.
Oh and did i mention it makes your makeup glide on top perfectly???!! Looove how this susncreen makes my foundation & concealer glide on so Show more
This sunscreen is so light and easy to spread, I love it! The ingredients look really good too, there's no alcohol, fragrance, or oil, and it doesn't have any ingredients that trigger fungal acne.
It also makes my skin look dewy and it lasts for a long time.
Edit - I've been using it for two months now and I've already bought two more bottles because this is definitely my favorite sunscreen. The Show more
