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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 La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 28, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, 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 French Brand France

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 Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+

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 (8)
Mineral UV Filter
BHA
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)
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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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ 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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Emulsifying

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.

Learn more about Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 10.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Mixed

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 15.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 34.

6
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

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 21.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 3.

7
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Disliked

Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.

As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.

According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.

In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.

Learn more about Aluminum Hydroxide

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 25.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 22.

8
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

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

Learn more about Stearic Acid

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 26.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 31.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 23.

10
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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 21.

11
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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 37.

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

16% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
33% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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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 ratings
Irritating (6) Doesn't Work (4) Broke Me Out (4) Light Scent (3) Pilling (3) Heavy (2)
mooj's avatar

mooj

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

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.

sword's avatar

sword

11 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Broke Me Out Horrifically
I used to use this when I was in school and had awful acne, so I didn't notice it caused me to break out until I decided...

Broke Me Out Horrifically
I used to use this when I was in school and had awful acne, so I didn't notice it caused me to break out until I decided to try it again recently. It gave me an awful break out all over my cheeks, and flared up my rosacea. It took a few days to recover. Also this has a white cast, so beware if that's something you typically avoid.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ 36 ingredients

Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+ hasn't been rated yet.
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-imperfections SPF50+.

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