COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ Versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
MoisturisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Triethanolamine, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Octocrylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
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 WaterButylene 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.
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 DioxideSilica 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 SilicaSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium 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.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ 45 ingredients
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.
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.
