COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ Versus The Derma Co 1% Hyaluronic Sunscreen Aqua Gel With SPF 50 PA++++ Broad Spectrum
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Silica, Trisiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLecithin
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantOxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingVaccinium Corymbosum Seed
AbrasiveVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantC9-12 Alkane
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xylitol, Glucose, Sodium Levulinate, Phospholipids, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Anhydroxylitol, Oxothiazolidine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, C9-12 Alkane, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateWater. 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