La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ Versus COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Updated on May 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ 25 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 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
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ 25 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Tocopherol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe 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, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Metaphosphate, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneTocopherol (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 TocopherolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEcamsule is a UV-A absorber (290–400 nm) patented by L'Oreal. It is derived from benzylidene camphor, making it highly photostable.
Ecamsule is able to prevent UV from reaching the skin. It absorbs UV and releases it as thermal energy.
It does this by:
The pH of ecamsule needs to be neutralized due to it being an acid. Triethanolamine is a pH adjusting ingredient often used with ecamsule.
This sunscreen ingredient is approved for use in the EU, Canada, and Asia. In the US, you will only find this ingredient in select L'Oreal products.
Learn more about Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ 25 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ 25 ingredients
This is a great sunscreen for dry skin, I needed no moisturiser under it in summer, but I think it would be better in winter as it is super moisturising. It doesn't irritate my eyes at all and I can use it on my eyelids. If the pump fails, try squeezing the product down the tube and try pumping again.
The only sunscreen I have found that doesn't irritate my eyes! Been using this probably for a couple of years now and it's always my go to. It's hydrating and gives a gorgeous glow. It's not crazy thick like other sunscreens and it doesn't leave me a white cast. I have acne-prone skin as well and have never had this cause breakouts or cc's.
As long as they don't change the formula, this will Show more
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Wow holy grail end game status achieved!
DO NOT REFORMULATE this, Cosrx, i swear!!!
Suuuper lightweight. Does exactly as named “light” & “invisible” which are two very important things for me as someone with oily acne prone skin in a humid climate.
Oh and did i mention it makes your makeup glide on top perfectly???!! Looove how this susncreen makes my foundation & concealer glide on so Show more
This sunscreen is so light and easy to spread, I love it! The ingredients look really good too, there's no alcohol, fragrance, or oil, and it doesn't have any ingredients that trigger fungal acne.
It also makes my skin look dewy and it lasts for a long time.
Edit - I've been using it for two months now and I've already bought two more bottles because this is definitely my favorite sunscreen. The Show more
