Gangnam Glow Day Shield Perfect Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
Updated on April 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and 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
Gangnam Glow Day Shield Perfect Sunscreen SPF 50 39 ingredients
COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Gangnam Glow Day Shield Perfect Sunscreen SPF 50 39 ingredients
COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 4%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 1.53%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 8.73%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMyristica Fragrans Extract
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.5%, Octocrylene 4%, Titanium Dioxide 1.53%, Zinc Oxide 8.73%, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hexyl Laurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Parfum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Stearate, Alumina, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, CI 77492, Myristica Fragrans Extract, CI 77491, CI 77499, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Tocopherol, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Chrysin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Parfum
Masking
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Silica, Trisiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Parfum, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Glucose, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneWater. 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 WaterCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 Tocopherol1,2-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
Ingredient Ratings
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