Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum Versus Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Lactobacillus Ferment to strengthen the skin barrier.
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
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Sodium Gluconate, Erythritol, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Glycine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate
Homosalate 8.5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 8.5%
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide 12.1%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyester-8
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingLactic Acid
BufferingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHomosalate 8.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8.5%, Zinc Oxide 12.1%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyester-8, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Lactic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Copper Gluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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