🇬🇧United Kingdom

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream for dry sensitive skin

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry sensitive skin; other sunscreens fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate suitability for your dry skin, as glycerin provides humectant action and Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract offers hydration and soothing benefits. However, the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dryness.
  • The combination of UV filters like bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine provides broad-spectrum sun protection, which is beneficial for overall skin health.
  • The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your morning routine. Reapply every two hours if you are staying outdoors.
  • Apply this product at the very end of your morning routine right after your regular moisturizer.
  • Gently pat a nickel-sized amount of the moisturizing sunscreen evenly across your face and neck.
  • Apply this product onto clean, dry skin before you go outside into the sun.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with dry to combination skin frequently praise this sunscreen for its moisturizing properties and lack of white cast, often noting it doubles as a daily moisturizer. A moderate number of users find it soothing and good for use under makeup, with a pleasant scent. Some users with oily or sensitive skin report a greasy finish, and a low number of users mention issues with strong fragrance, eye stinging, pilling, or the presence of alcohol.

Highlights

  • No White Cast Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly without leaving any white cast”
    • “no white cast blends perfectly”
    • “didn't leave a recognisable cast on him either”
    • “goes on clear even on deeper skin tones”
  • Good Under Makeup Often Mentioned
    • “sits perfectly under makeup”
    • “doesn't make my foundation look patchy”
    • “perfect for daily use under makeup”
    • “perfect canvas for your make-up”
  • Moisturizing/Hydrating Often Mentioned
    • “feels like a moisturizer and very lightweight”
    • “hydrating without being heavy”
    • “skip moisturizer and use this over serums”
    • “leaves my skin feeling healthy and looking healthy”
  • Pleasant Scent Sometimes Noted
    • “fresh aloe scent which I found pleasant”
    • “soft scent of aloe”
    • “smell is like a normal sunscreen smell... with a hint of Aloe Vera”
    • “scent is rlly nice”
  • Soothing/Calming Sometimes Noted
    • “feels like a hug for my skin”
    • “helps soothe the skin”
    • “calming formula”
    • “never caused irritation, visible or otherwise”
  • Greasy/Shiny Finish Sometimes Noted
    • “can look a tad bit greasy if you're somebody with oily skin”
    • “gets a bit greasy after some time”
    • “leaves a shiny finish”
    • “mid-day oil slicks”
  • Contains Alcohol Rarely Noted
    • “contains alcohol... might irritate eyes”
    • “avoid anything yang ada alcohol”
    • “alcohol would irritate my eyes”
    • “presence of alcohol... give this one a patch test”
  • Eye Stinging Rarely Noted
    • “stung my eyes super bad”
    • “stings eyes unbearably... once it gets into them”
    • “causes eye stinging”
    • “sweat in my eyes... stinging”
  • Pilling Rarely Noted
    • “pills like crazy”
    • “white flakes all over my finger”
    • “reapplies with cakey white marks”
    • “pilling around my jawline”
  • Strong Fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “smell is overpowering for them”
    • “smells like heavy perfume”
    • “unhappy with the existence of fragrance”
    • “can still smell this on my skin”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, kbeautynotes.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream work for dry sensitive skin?

This sunscreen works moderately well for dry and sensitive skin, providing basic hydration and sun protection without causing irritation, but a product of this type needs richer oils and moisturizing agents like sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide to fully comfort and soften very dry skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

This cream works for dry and sensitive skin because glycerin helps draw moisture into the skin, while aloe extract and dipotassium glycyrrhizate soothe and calm redness. However, because it lacks rich oils and butters to lock that moisture in, a product for this skin type needs extra softening ingredients like ceramides and rich plant oils.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Aloe Vera Extract do for dry sensitive skin?

Aloe vera extract helps boost skin hydration and keeps the skin soft and smooth without feeling greasy. It is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin, and it supports the skin barrier to lock in moisture.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011Skin Research and Technology, 2006

What does Octinoxate do for dry sensitive skin?

Octinoxate helps protect dry sensitive skin from sun damage, but because it is a cinnamic acid derivative, it may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin types. To safely protect dry skin, a sunscreen of this type needs soothing, barrier-repairing ingredients like niacinamide or plant-based antioxidants that calm redness and keep moisture locked in.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This cream goes in the morning routine as the sunscreen step, right after your soothing toner. To fully care for dry skin, this type of product also needs rich softening ingredients that lock in moisture.

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cream in the morning before sun exposure, but use a separate richer moisturizer under your evening retinol. This sunscreen provides gentle sun protection and hydration, but dry sensitive skin needs extra softening ingredients to fully handle retinol.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing spf every morning as part of your daytime routine. It works for your dry sensitive skin by providing moisture and sun protection, though this skin type needs extra softening ingredients to fully tackle dryness.

Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry and sensitive skin. Tocopheryl Acetate and other ingredients in the formula show a safe profile with a low risk of causing blemishes.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
  • Liposomal encapsulation of octyl methoxycinnamate increases its safety, skin affinity, and in vivo solar photoprotection factor while slowing its release and enhancing retention in the stratum corneum compared to a conventional formulation.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
  • Replacing 20% of the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate with urucum oil in solid lipid nanoparticles maintained the skin protection factor without inducing toxic responses or significant skin penetration in human volunteers.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018
  • Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
  • The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

Why other sunscreens fit dry sensitive skin better

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • Topical application of rosemary essential oil-loaded lipid nanoparticles in gel vehicles significantly increased skin hydration compared to gels containing free oil, and increased elasticity to a lesser extent, in ten healthy volunteers.

    Pharmaceutics, 2017
  • A mixture of Panax ginseng and Crataegus pinnatifida prevented skin aging by improving procollagen type I expression, diminishing matrix metalloproteinase-1 secretion, reducing skin roughness and photodamage scores, and decreasing loss of skin moisture in human dermal fibroblasts and healthy human skin.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2017

Ingredients

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, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

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