COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Versus Aiken Ceramide Bright Tone-Up Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
This hydrating essence is formulated around Snail Secretion Filtrate and Allantoin to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Mannitol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Ceteareth-25
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Caprylyl Methicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Glucoside, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Diatomaceous Earth, Ceteareth-25, Glycerin, Zinc Sulfate, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
