COSRX Shield Fit Snail Essence Sun SPF50+ PA+++
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Snail Secretion Filtrate helps to deeply moisturise, nourish, and revitalise skin whilst restoring its youthful glow.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (pinus pinaster bark extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Homosalate~6–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateAlcohol denat.~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Octocrylene~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneButylene glycol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolEthylhexyl salicylate~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateAcrylates copolymer~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneDiphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help improve the product's texture
More about Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethiconeMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.9–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerPentylene glycol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerIsohexadecane~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneBeheneth-25~0.45–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilPolysorbate 80~0.3–0.5%
Sorbitan oleate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateCitrus nobilis peel oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilDisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Ocimum basilicum oil~0.15–0.3%
Allantoin panthenol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipropylene glycol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolMaltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinMoringa pterygosperma seed extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Moringa pterygosperma seed extractSodium palmitoyl proline~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.25%
Snail secretion filtrate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically contains hyaluronic acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might contain allantoin that is helpful in calming down inflammation. There is no evidence that it can have any further benefits for the skin, especially when used in skincare products
More about Snail secretion filtrateNymphaea alba flower extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hyaluronic acid~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Pinus pinaster bark extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but evidence of effectiveness of topical application is lacking. It can be an INCI name for the trademarked ingredient Pycnogenol (but could also be a different type of this plant's bark extract)
More about Pinus pinaster bark extractHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateIngredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Alcohol denat., Octocrylene, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Acrylates copolymer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Pentylene glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Isohexadecane, Beheneth-25, Caprylyl glycol, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan oleate, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Disodium edta, Ocimum basilicum oil, Allantoin panthenol, Dipropylene glycol, Maltodextrin, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Sodium palmitoyl proline, 1,2-hexanediol, Snail secretion filtrate, Nymphaea alba flower extract, Hyaluronic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pinus pinaster bark extract, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "COSRX - Shield Fit Snail Essence Sun SPF50+ PA+++" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.40%, octisalate 2.50% - 3.00%, homosalate 6.00% - 7.30% and octocrylene 3.50% - 4.30%.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 40.10$ in the United States and for 29.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
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- 6Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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