COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Versus The Purest Solutions Matte Finish Sunscreen for Oily Skin 50+ SPF Dry Touch
This betaine salicylate gel cleanser is formulated around Betaine Salicylate to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingStyrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingEthyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantButylene Glycol
HumectantScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinWater. 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