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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ versus Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 24, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances 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.

Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea
Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++

Starts at $8.99
Shop

Buy Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

Starts at $24.40

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
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (5)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

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.

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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 3.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 5.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

Bemotrizinol has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. Skin exposed to UV causes free-radical molecules to form. This ingredient works by preventing the UV from reaching your skin.

It is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Bemotrizinol is not approved in the US but is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia.

In fact, it is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted by in the EU.

It is oil-soluble.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 13.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 36.

7
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 30.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

8
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 35.

9
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 34.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 29.

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

16% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
56% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
2% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ 45 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 23 reviews
mooj's Avatar'
Nov 28, 2023

this sunscreen stung my eyes super bad. even when i took care to avoid my eye area, it still burnt. left my skin red and irritated looking.

this sunscreen stung my eyes super bad. even when i took care to avoid my eye area, it still burnt. left my skin red and irritated looking.

Irritating
Strong Scent
Doesn't Work
AnaRitaSantos's Avatar'
Jun 6, 2023

Worst product from COSRX
Not suitable for oily skin because the amount of silicone in it causes a lot of pilling and it's horrible to use with other products. Not suitable for sensitive skin, it triggered irritation and redness on my...

Worst product from COSRX
Not suitable for oily skin because the amount of silicone in it causes a lot of pilling and it's horrible to use with other products. Not suitable for sensitive skin, it triggered irritation and redness on my face after one week of using it.

nastyk's Avatar'
Jan 16, 2024

Gave me a lot of texture. Pills. Has somewhat of a scent. Stings my eyes. Simply did not enjoy this product!

Gave me a lot of texture. Pills. Has somewhat of a scent. Stings my eyes. Simply did not enjoy this product!

Drying
Irritating
Heavy
Pilling
Light Scent
Doesn't Work

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ 43 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 30 reviews
Felixe's Avatar'
Feb 3, 2024

sosososoo good!! has so many nice ingredients that hydrate your skin and also protects it from UV rays. And i can't get over how GOOD this works under makeup it's insane, no pilling no white cast, just a great subtle glow and quick...

sosososoo good!! has so many nice ingredients that hydrate your skin and also protects it from UV rays. And i can't get over how GOOD this works under makeup it's insane, no pilling no white cast, just a great subtle glow and quick drying with no fragrance.
Edit: Felt like adding something, even if this went more viral around 2021 and other more viral sunscreens have come out since then, i've still been coming back to this one because it's just so simple and yet so effective.
Great for my sensitive combo skin and for people that don't have much time in the AM since it can kind of double down as moisturiser <3

Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well
xrysa's Avatar'
Mar 21, 2024

I really struggled finding a good sunscreen for my oily acne prone skin but this one is incredible! It leaves a shiny but not at all oily glow.

I really struggled finding a good sunscreen for my oily acne prone skin but this one is incredible! It leaves a shiny but not at all oily glow.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
khoweird's Avatar'
Mar 10, 2024

I’ve used Isntree products for about 5-years now, and I love it all, especially this watery sun gel! It’s light, rubs in well, and the ingredients are amazing for my sensitive skin! The summer humidity will make it sweat, but I don’t...

I’ve used Isntree products for about 5-years now, and I love it all, especially this watery sun gel! It’s light, rubs in well, and the ingredients are amazing for my sensitive skin! The summer humidity will make it sweat, but I don’t spend too much time outside so I don’t mind. This is one of my two staple sunscreens!

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++.

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