Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer Versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
This brightening day moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantPEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCeteareth-25
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Hydrolyzed Silk
HumectantBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, PEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Hydrolyzed Silk, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ns, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mica
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantMenthyl Lactate
MaskingMentha Haplocalix Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobionic Acid
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Arginine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Arbutin, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract, Tocopherol, Lactobionic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycolic Acid, Water
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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