Lancôme UV Expert Youth Shield Aqua Gel SPF 50 Versus COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-20
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingIsocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Maltodextrin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita Extract, Isocetyl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sorbitol, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, BHT, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glycerin, Parfum
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
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
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, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Metaphosphate, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDrometrizole Trisiloxane is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that L'oreal patented back in 1989.
Its offers broad-spectrum protection against UVB and UVA with two peaks: 303nm in the UVB range and 344 nm in the UVA range.
The standout trait is photostability. Unlike other UV filters, this one doesn't break down when exposed to sunlight.
You'll likely see it paired with Mexoryl SX (Ecamsule) because the two filters show a synergistic effect where the combined protection is greater than the sum of the individual filters.
Because it is oil soluble, it's great for water-resistant/sport/beach sunscreens.
Concentration-wise, the EU permits up to 15% but formulas use it well below that ceiling and almost never as a solo active.
It has a pretty solid safety record: allergic reactions are considered rare, its large molecule size means little to no absorption through skin, and toxicology reviews found no significant toxicity.
Just so you know, there were a handful of isolated allergic contact dermatitis case reports (which is true of every UV filter), but most people will not react to it.
This ingredient is available in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan, but not the US. This is just because the manufacturer hasn't pushed the data through the FDA's OTC ingredient pathway.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazonePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
