The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum Versus COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Updated on May 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and fungal acne (malassezia) safe sunscreens. They have a total of 3 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 and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
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
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum 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
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum 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 ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientTri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Carnosine
Skin ProtectingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Isododecane, Octocrylene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Acetyl Carnosine, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 PropanediolTocopherol (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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum 25 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum 25 ingredients
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
