Versus

COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Frudia Tone Up Base Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on May 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Tone Up Base Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Water

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ethylhexyl Triazone

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetearyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Methicone

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Myristyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 4 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Lauryl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pearl Powder

Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract

Masking

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glucose

Humectant

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Emollient
2-3 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil

Masking
1-2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Brassica Campestris Sterols

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Biosaccharide Gum-4

Skin Conditioning

Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ceteth-5

Emulsifying

Ceteth-3

Emulsifying

Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Punica Granatum Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Mangifera Indica Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetyl Phosphate

Emulsifying

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Disodium EDTA

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Coumarin

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone
Smoothing

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).

DHHB is well-liked for:

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.

This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

When to use

1,934 Routines
97% use in am
3% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
6 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 65 ratings
Light (47) Works Well (41) No Scent (41)
thisisthatcutiedoggo's avatar

thisisthatcutiedoggo

6 months ago
Review

Wow holy grail end game status achieved!
DO NOT REFORMULATE this, Cosrx, i swear!!!
Suuuper lightweight. Does exactly as named “light” & “invisible” which are two very important things for me as someone with oily acne prone skin in a humid climate.
Oh and did i mention it makes your makeup glide on top perfectly???!! Looove how this susncreen makes my foundation & concealer glide on so Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352

11 months ago
Review

This sunscreen is so light and easy to spread, I love it! The ingredients look really good too, there's no alcohol, fragrance, or oil, and it doesn't have any ingredients that trigger fungal acne.
It also makes my skin look dewy and it lasts for a long time.
Edit - I've been using it for two months now and I've already bought two more bottles because this is definitely my favorite sunscreen. The Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent

Frudia Tone Up Base Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ 67 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
aysx's avatar

ays

4 days ago
Review

not suitable for dry skin
tone up part really works looks great on skin
no white cast