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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ versus The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on November 30, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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 fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea
Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

Bemotrizinol has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. Skin exposed to UV causes free-radical molecules to form. This ingredient works by preventing the UV from reaching your skin.

It is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Bemotrizinol is not approved in the US but is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia.

In fact, it is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted by in the EU.

It is oil-soluble.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 10.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

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

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 25.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 27.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 34.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 26.

6
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 29.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

7
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 25.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.

(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)

Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.

Learn more about Homosalate

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 34.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 2.

9
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 35.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 30.

10
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 36.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 5.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 37.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 9.

12
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Liked

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 43.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

56% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
2% have no rating yet
22% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ 43 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 30 ratings
Hydrating (8) Light (8) Absorbs Well (7) No Scent (6) Great Value (5) Works Well (4)
Felixe's avatar

Felixe

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

sosososoo good!! has so many nice ingredients that hydrate your skin and also protects it from UV rays. And i can't get over how GOOD this works...

sosososoo good!! has so many nice ingredients that hydrate your skin and also protects it from UV rays. And i can't get over how GOOD this works under makeup it's insane, no pilling no white cast, just a great subtle glow and quick drying with no fragrance.
Edit: Felt like adding something, even if this went more viral around 2021 and other more viral sunscreens have come out since then, i've still been coming back to this one because it's just so simple and yet so effective.
Great for my sensitive combo skin and for people that don't have much time in the AM since it can kind of double down as moisturiser <3

xrysa's avatar

xrysa

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

I really struggled finding a good sunscreen for my oily acne prone skin but this one is incredible! It leaves a shiny but not at all oily glow.

The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ 45 ingredients

Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ hasn't been rated yet.
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