COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Hera Sun Mate Leports Pro Waterproof SPF 50+ PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Propanediol, Water, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Methyl Trimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Metaphosphate, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Water Hyacinth Ferment
Skin ProtectingPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMannitol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Millet
Skin ConditioningZinc DNA
Skin ConditioningDNA
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl Hexyl Dicarbamate Pullulan
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantetheine Sulfonate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMethoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Tocopherol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lactobacillus/Water Hyacinth Ferment, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mannitol, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Hydrolyzed Millet, Zinc DNA, DNA, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cholesterol, Dextrin, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Cholesteryl Hexyl Dicarbamate Pullulan, Copper Tripeptide-1, Calcium Pantetheine Sulfonate, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylate-13, Aluminum Stearate, Polyisobutene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Polyacrylic Acid, Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, CI 77891, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water comes from the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America.
Witch Hazel is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient. The tannin in witch hazel has a drying effect when used on skin and constricts proteins. This helps minimize the look of large pores temporarily.
The tannins and the fragrance components may be skin sensitizing.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf WaterPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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