Updated on June 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 18 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 18 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
2 Concerns
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Non-Reef-Safe
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
2 Concerns
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
2 Concerns
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
2 Concerns
Silica 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.
2 Concerns
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
Antioxidant Helps brighten skin
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (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.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 12%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyester-7, Isohexadecane, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Diethylhexyl Succinate comes from succinic acid and 2-ethylhexyl alcohol.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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.
Silicon
Drometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UVA absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
Ecamsule is a UV-A absorber (290–400 nm) patented by L'Oreal. It is derived from benzylidene camphor, making it highly photostable.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
A type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Methyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water comes from the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from peanut oil. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
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.
Tocopherol (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 two products.
When to use
Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 18 ingredients
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 18 ingredients
DamDamfino
Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??
I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture...
Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??
I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture and formula.
I'm poor so I haven't tried the higher end sunscreens like SuperGoop, so this is the first sunscreen I've ever used like this!
If you've ever used the Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel as a makeup primer hack (it's basically just a clear silicone gel, cheaper than buying actual silicone primers) - this feels EXACTLY like that! Which I like! Because that means this sunscreen feels and works just like my favorite pore-filling makeup primer.
It goes on completely clear, doesn't make your face oily or shiny like other clear chemical sunscreens. Minimal to no smell. No alcohol burn. The only downside I could see is not being able to visually see where you've applied it, but the slippy texture should tell you if you've applied it there or not.
Since it feels just like a silicone primer, it slips around like a silicone primer too. I could see this being very easily wiped off throughout the day. It does leave a layer you can feel on the skin, but to me it just felt like your usual makeup layer does.
I used my espoir Be Velvet cushion compact over it, and it did look a *little* cakey and dry. (Be Velvet is a matte formula, I didn't use moisturizer before sunscreen, and it's winter so YMMV!)
After using this regularly during the summer I'll come back to decide if it's acne safe for me or not and adjust my rating.
Edit: Wore a nickle sized amount (directions call for dime size) on a clean and moisturized face with nothing applied over it for a 30 minute walk with my dog, and I got a little sunburned. Disappointing. It was a 75F degree day, UV Index of 7, around 1pm and I wore a hoodie over my neck and sunglasses, and my cheeks and nose are burned. I don't use AHA, retinols, or niacinamide currently - I'm just very pale and very sensitive to UV (Fitz I) that I burn within 30 minutes.
So, first wear out in early spring and it's looking like it doesn't even work as SPF. Booooo.
PallasCat_310
Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my...
Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my already oily skin look shiny. However when applying the correct amount for SPF coverage it's very slippery and does not absorb. I can feel it on my skin all day, just a film of sunscreen, which is technically what it's supposed to do but the sensation was too heavy. I have the same problem with Supergoop Unseen sunscreen which this one is supposed to be a dupe of.
COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ 28 ingredients
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352
It is so light and spreadable, I love it. The ingredients looks very promising too because there's no alcohol, fragrance, oil free, and doesn't...
It is so light and spreadable, I love it. The ingredients looks very promising too because there's no alcohol, fragrance, oil free, and doesn't have fungal acne triggers.
This product also made my skin dewy and it lasts for a long time imo. Better than skin1004 hyalu cica sun serum
