COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++
Works for
4 of 4 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-agingAdenosine, Niacinamide + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate + 8 moreStrong evidence
“KEY INGREDIENTS Soothes the skin gently with moisture to alleviate heat • Hamamelis Virginiana Soothes the skin gently with moisture to alleviate heat • Niacinamide Prevents UV-induced pigmentation and controls sebum • Tocopherol Antioxidant defense against UV damage Full Ingredients”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamideStrong evidence
“KEY INGREDIENTS Soothes the skin gently with moisture to alleviate heat • Hamamelis Virginiana Soothes the skin gently with moisture to alleviate heat • Niacinamide Prevents UV-induced pigmentation and controls sebum • Tocopherol Antioxidant defense against UV damage Full Ingredients”
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).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, AllantoinStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Hamamelis virginiana leaf waterMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf water~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but data on its effectiveness is lacking. While the majority of the content is plain water, it can contain some goodies like vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf waterDiethylhexyl succinate~5.6–8.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Diethylhexyl succinatePropanediol~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolWater~3.4–5.1%
Drometrizole trisiloxane~3.2–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneEthylhexyl triazone~2.2–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneNiacinamide~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid1,2-hexanediol~0.4–0.9%
Behenyl alcohol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholMethyl trimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateHamamelis virginiana leaf water~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tromethamine~0.2–0.75%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arachidyl alcohol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Arachidyl glucoside~0.15–0.55%
Sodium metaphosphate~0.15–0.5%
Adenosine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineTocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAllantoin~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCitric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.3%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.3%
Ingredient list view
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
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| COSRXUltra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++YOUR PRODUCT | innisfreeGreen Tea Hyaluronic Hydrating Sun Serum SPF50 Sérum Solaire | the Torriden StoreDive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Watery Sun Serum PA++++ SPF50+ | P.CALMWater Barrier Sun Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 95% | 89% |
| Price | $15.01 | $24.00+$8.99 | $23.39+$8.38 | $14.40−$0.61 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Panthenol | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "COSRX - Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
It 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 is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: uvinul a plus 1.50% - 2.30%, mexoryl xl 3.20% - 4.70%, uvinul t 2.20% - 3.40% and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid 1.30% - 1.90%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. 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.
What our users say
Based on 2 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not leave a white cast.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Price
The product retails for 16.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6
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