Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Happiness Aura Versus Kosé Suncut Tone Up UV Pink Flamingo Essence Sunblock SPF 50+ PA++++
Updated on December 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and 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
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients
Kosé Suncut Tone Up UV Pink Flamingo Essence Sunblock SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients
Kosé Suncut Tone Up UV Pink Flamingo Essence Sunblock SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTea-PCA
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polysilicone-13
EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Iron Oxides
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG-40 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tea-PCA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-13, EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Iron Oxides, Tin Oxide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isododecane
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV FilterButylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Capric Acid
Cleansing
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Alumina
Abrasive
Isohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Zinc Oxide, Isododecane, Polysilicone-15, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Capric Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, BHT, PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Alumina, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Paraffinum Liquidum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 15985, CI 45380
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 WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideDiethylamino 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaXanthan 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 GumAlumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients
Kosé Suncut Tone Up UV Pink Flamingo Essence Sunblock SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 32 ingredients
This does the trick just like the Lavender version but when I use it near my eyes, I start to have a stinging sensation which I really dislike and the scent is kinda distinctive.
Price: 4/5 (About 12 USD in HK)
Packaging: 5/5
Consistency: 5/5
(Creamy)
Fragrance: 1/5
(It actually stinks 😭)
