Transparent Lab Lightweight Sunscreen SPF50+ Versus COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Gossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningCistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Lansium Domesticum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Silica, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Allantoin, Ectoin, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Oligopeptide-2, Glycoproteins, Beta-Glucan, Gossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture, Cistus Monspeliensis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lansium Domesticum Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Poloxamer 407, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
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 BenzoateEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPropanediol 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 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
