Do you have plans of going to the beach, or strolling at the park? Does your daily commute expose you to a lot of sun?
Let me tell you, no matter the weather, sunny or cloudy, you need sunscreen!
Applying sunscreen is non-negotiable in your skin care routine.
The sun’s harmful UV rays not only cause a tan, but can also cause your skin to age prematurely.
What you need is a good sunscreen like the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream!
Product Overview
The COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is an ultra-lightweight cream that uses the power of aloe vera to moisturize, brighten, and shield skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It also has SPF 50+ and PA+++ protection, making it one of the best Korean sunscreens you can buy.
This sun cream is both nourishing and protective. It is enriched with natural ingredients that protect skin from both UV rays and everyday environmental stressors.
This sun cream is powered by 5,500 ppm of Aloe Vera Leaf Extract which prevents skin’s loss of firmness too, making it perfect for anti-aging.
Pros
- Strong moisturizing and hydrating properties
- Doesn’t leave a white cast
- Doesn’t pose any threat of skin irritations
- Has soothing properties thanks to the aloe vera
- Has SPF 50 which is great for sun protection
- Very affordable compared to other high-end SPF sun creams
Cons
- Strong moisturizing properties might overpower already oily skin
Things to Consider When Choosing a Sunscreen
Skin Type
Knowing your skin type and the ingredients that best suit you are important when choosing a sunscreen.
Sensitive Skin
Mineral sunscreen is excellent for people with sensitive skin.
Look for ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These offer broader protection.
It’s also worth noting that certain sunscreen chemicals, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been linked to allergic reactions and irritation.
Watch out for those.
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Zinc oxide is known to be soothing on sensitive skin, so it won’t aggravate active breakouts.
Other features to look for: oil-free, non-comedogenic, and matte.
If you have an oily or acne-prone skin, use a water-based sunscreen. These do not cause your skin to break out like oil-based creams.
A sunscreen powder will help absorb excess oil when you reapply throughout the day too.
Dry Skin
Opt for a sunscreen that contains hyaluronic acid.
These attract water to the skin. Ingredients like shea butter, carrot oil, or argan oil are also beneficial to replenish and nourish the skin.
With Make-up
Chemical sunscreen formulas absorb into skin, absorbs UV rays, converts it to heat and then releases them from the body.
These are recommendations you should be using under make-up as they do not leave a white residue.
They also set make-up and control shine breakthrough throughout the day.
Outdoor Exposure
If you expect to be outdoors most parts of the day, go for a water-resistant sunscreen.
You’ll also need reapplication for maximum protection all throughout.
Sunscreens that work well on wet or sweaty skin will help make reapplication easier. Stick formulas are less likely to run and sting the eyes too.
Sun Protection Factor
Always check the SPF range mentioned on the sunscreen package. Anything above SPF 15 is considered decent protection.
But if you want foolproof protection, go for a sunscreen offering SPF 30 or above.
Also, check the expiration date of the product to see how long the sunscreen will last. Expired sunscreen won’t be as effective at sun protection so be wary.
About COSRX
The COSRX brand is well-loved for its customer-centric approach. The company is dedicated to continually research better ways to nourish and protect skin.
The COSRX brand name is a mix of the words “cosmetics” and “RX”, which stands for prescription. It’s quite fitting for their philosophy. COSRX prioritizes science over trends, making sure its loyal customers’ skin issues are well addressed.
The brand is also known for its minimalism. Ingredients are always guaranteed to be natural and safe. With an ingredient-focused formulation, this makes their products very effective.
Its minimalistic approach is even consistent in the brand’s packaging. Key ingredients and benefits are highlighted on the labels using simple visuals.
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
What’s great about this sun cream is that it’s actually a hybrid between a physical and a chemical sunscreen.
It contains titanium dioxide making it physical, and other chemical ingredients making it a chemical sunscreen.
Physical sunscreens protect you from the harmful UV rays by acting as a shield over your skin. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, react with sunlight and UV rays and break away as time passes.
As a bonus, the formula features a high level of broad-spectrum SPF 50+ and PA +++. With all of these, you are increasing your skin’s resilience from the sun’s skin damaging rays.
What we also love about this sun cream is its contents of aloe vera that make your skin feel refreshed and hydrated.
Aloe vera is also known for its antioxidant qualities. This ensures you don’t get any nasty breakouts.
This lightweight gel-cream is quick-absorbing, making it a perfect canvass for your make-up. We love this sunscreen especially during the winter.
It definitely keeps your skin moist and hydrated.
For hot and humid days, its extra moisturization might feel uncomfortable for those with oily skin.
Another thing I would like to mention though is the presence of alcohol. If you are sensitive to them, you should definitely give this one a patch test.
Having said all these, we give the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream a rating of 3.5 stars!
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits on Your Skin
Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract is the key ingredient in COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream that soothes and moisturizes skin at the same time.
This is your best bet if you have dry skin. It also contains lots of antioxidants and vitamins that make it anti-inflammatory.
Titanium Dioxide
This mineral ingredient makes this sun cream a physical sunscreen. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and helps reduce risk of skin sensitivity.
Packaging
The COSRX sun cream comes in a white tube with a touch of green that is pretty much the signature style of COSRX.
It has a black lid that shuts off nice and tight. Its simplistic and minimal style is quite eye catching. We also like that it comes in a tube.
It makes it more hygienic.
We like how the lid is very secure too. It is definitely designed to be travel friendly.
You can easily carry the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream anywhere and layer on sun protection anytime.
Texture
The texture of the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream feels like a light moisturizer.
It doesn’t leave skin dry and stripped like many sunscreens out there.
The hydrating sunscreen is quickly absorbed into the skin without feeling greasy. It doesn’t leave a white cast too.
Scent
This product doesn’t smell too overwhelming. It has a slight floral fragrance which goes away after a while.
Application
After doing all your basic skin care steps, apply an adequate amount of sun cream to your skin. Do this at least 30 minutes before stepping outside.
Reapply every two hours for the perfect sun protection, especially if you are having an outdoor activity. If not, re-apply as needed.
Make sure to cleanse off with a cleanser to remove the sun cream after a long day.
Ingredient List
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Alcohol,Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Peg-100 Stearate, Silica, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta
User Reviews
Overall, users of the COSRX Soothing Aloe Sun Cream love how hydrating this sunscreen is.
Apart from that, the easy application and pleasant texture makes it worth giving a try.
Testimonials
We all love the pleasant texture this sun cream leaves on skin. A user shares:
“The formula feels so light, almost like a moisturiser. It doesn't feel sticky or weird. The white cast is non-existent, making it perfect for layering!”
Its scent is nothing to worry about. Yes, it does have alcohol in it. Just in case you’re extremely sensitive, do get a patch test. Overall, it’s good for most skin types. It’s pretty affordable too!
“This does have alcohol, but it’s pretty low on the list and this stuff is quite moisturizing. It doesn’t break me out too! It’s pretty cheap and I’ll definitely be repurchasing it because sunscreen is an essential product.”
This sun cream definitely does what it claims. It’s super easy to use too. You’ll love using this on a daily basis just like this user shares. However, for those who have oily skin, maybe a supplementary skin care product will be of help.
“It spreads super easily too, so I don't need to slather it on and end up with a thick sticky layer. I don't find it too thick. It just feels like a cream moisturizer.”
Alternatives
If this sunscreen doesn’t satisfy what you’re looking for, you can check out other Korean sunscreens!
This MISSHA sunscreen has green tea and tea tree extract to keep grease at bay.
It’s also highly moisturizing and has a mild pleasant smell. It’s built to hold up to water and sweat, so this is a really good option to toss in your bag and take to the beach.
Also, its lightweight formula leaves no white cast upon application and leaves your skin feeling refreshed.
Doesn’t feel heavy even if you have oily skin.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen with lighter coverage than the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, this is a great pick for you.
The consistency in this sunscreen feels more like a serum. It gives a cooling sensation upon first application.
Best of all, it offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. You can be sure your skin is completely protected the next time you have fun in the sun!
It also has a sophisticated combo of melon and ginger that gives this sunscreen a unique scent in case you want to change things up!
Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel provides a lightweight application but a strong scent many users aren’t too keen on having.
If a strong scent and mid-to-high price range doesn’t bother you, this would be a great pick.
The Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50 PA++++ is perhaps one of the most cosmetically elegant sunscreens there is. The texture is quite like a lightweight lotion that spreads and absorbs beautifully.
It’s made of 70% water, creating the perfect foundation for make-up.
It has no white cast too. It gives your skin a nice natural finish as it builds well with the rest of your skin care and make-up routine. We also have to give props for its excellent skin protective qualities with SPF 50 and PA++++.
For those who are sensitive to strong scents, the Purito Centella can help you in that area.
Also, it has one of the highest SPF protection ratings making it a great alternative to have at a decent price.
Should I Buy the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream?
The COSRX Soothing Aloe Sun Cream is an effective sunscreen that hydrates skin and protects it from the damaging effects of the sun.
Its key ingredient of aloe vera works well at making your skin feel nourished and soothed.
Having SPF 50 and PA+++ is also a big deal. You can’t find that superior protection in many sun screens in the market today.
Just remember…
- Its strong moisturizing benefits could overpower those with already oily skin.
We would definitely recommend the COSRX Soothing Aloe Sun Cream to anyone looking for a good hybrid sun cream to upgrade their skin care routine.
We have to give props on this product for its ease in application and comfortable skin feel.
It’s also worth noting that we have not encountered a skin irritation or bad breakout review on this one. It’s definitely worth giving a try!
CHANGELOG:
September 2, 2021 – Updated article formatting and content
July 21, 2021 – Reviewed and updated article links