COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ Versus Y.O.U Sunbrella Acne Shield Light Sunscreen SPF 40+
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 40.
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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Bisabolol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingMenthol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantTotarol
AntioxidantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberZinc PCA
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Sucrose Polystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Carbomer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Totarol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Zinc PCA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Malic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Glycerin, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Buddleja Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Silica, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals.
It also contains sugars in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, choline, many common minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Aloe is known to be anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and healing.
Aloe should not replace your sunscreen, as it does not offer UV protection.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf WaterDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPotassium 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 PropanediolWater. 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