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Shop COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
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COSRX

Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

~$16.1· 1.69 fl ozAM onlySPF 50chemical filter
Visible poresRadiance

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • Vitamin EModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

    Good for: Antioxidant

  • NiacinamideStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

    Good for: Brightening, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory

  • AvobenzoneModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    The most widely used chemical UVA filter in Western sunscreens, critical for blocking the longer wavelengths that drive photoaging, pigmentation, and deeper DNA damage. Always look for it paired with a photostabiliser such as octocrylene so it doesn't degrade and leave you unprotected mid-day.

    Good for: Sun protection

  • HomosalateModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A supporting UVB filter in many lightweight chemical sunscreens. It helps a formula reach its labeled SPF, but it needs UVA partners such as avobenzone for broad-spectrum coverage.

    Good for: Sun protection

  • OctisalateModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A supporting UVB filter that improves both protection and formula feel. It is rarely the star of a sunscreen, but it helps the complete filter blend deliver the SPF printed on the bottle.

    Good for: Sun protection

  • OctocryleneModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A UVB filter and formula stabilizer commonly paired with avobenzone. It helps broad-spectrum sunscreen keep working in sunlight, though people with a history of sunscreen photoallergy may prefer an alternative filter system.

    Good for: Sun protection

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

Vitamin EModerate evidence6 citations

A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35150043View source ↗

Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use

2021Safety assessmentPMID:34238818View source ↗

Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)

2005Positive (efficacy)PMID:16185284View source ↗
NiacinamideStrong evidence10 citations

A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42278444View source ↗

Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026

2026Positive (efficacy)PMID:41240206View source ↗

Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:39171587View source ↗
AvobenzoneModerate evidence3 citations

The most widely used chemical UVA filter in Western sunscreens, critical for blocking the longer wavelengths that drive photoaging, pigmentation, and deeper DNA damage. Always look for it paired with a photostabiliser such as octocrylene so it doesn't degrade and leave you unprotected mid-day.

Afonso S, Horita K, Sousa e Silva JP, et al. Photodegradation of avobenzone: stabilization effect of antioxidants. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2014;140:36-40.

2014Mechanism onlyPMID:25086322View source ↗

Wang SQ, Stanfield JW, Osterwalder U. In vitro assessments of UVA protection by popular sunscreens available in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(6):934-42.

2008Positive (efficacy)PMID:18835064View source ↗

Gange RW et al., Efficacy of a sunscreen containing butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane against ultraviolet A radiation in photosensitized subjects, J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;15(3):494-9 — DB controlled, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane reduced UVA erythema

1986Positive (efficacy)PMID:3760274View source ↗
+3 more ingredients
HomosalateModerate evidence3 citations

A supporting UVB filter in many lightweight chemical sunscreens. It helps a formula reach its labeled SPF, but it needs UVA partners such as avobenzone for broad-spectrum coverage.

Matta MK et al. Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256-267 — maximal-use study measured systemic exposure to homosalate and five other sunscreen actives.

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:31961417View source ↗

Bens G. Sunscreens. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2014;810:429-463 — review of organic and inorganic sunscreen filters, their spectral roles, formulation, and safety considerations.

2014Mechanism onlyPMID:25207381View source ↗

Kim TH et al. Percutaneous absorption, disposition, and exposure assessment of homosalate, a UV filtering agent, in rats. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health A. 2014;77(4):202-213.

2014Mechanism onlyPMID:24555679View source ↗
OctisalateModerate evidence2 citations

A supporting UVB filter that improves both protection and formula feel. It is rarely the star of a sunscreen, but it helps the complete filter blend deliver the SPF printed on the bottle.

Matta MK et al. Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256-267 — maximal-use study measured systemic exposure to octisalate and five other sunscreen actives.

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:31961417View source ↗

Bens G. Sunscreens. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2014;810:429-463 — review of organic and inorganic sunscreen filters, their spectral roles, formulation, and safety considerations.

2014Mechanism onlyPMID:25207381View source ↗
OctocryleneModerate evidence3 citations

A UVB filter and formula stabilizer commonly paired with avobenzone. It helps broad-spectrum sunscreen keep working in sunlight, though people with a history of sunscreen photoallergy may prefer an alternative filter system.

Matta MK et al. Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256-267 — maximal-use study measured systemic exposure to octocrylene and five other sunscreen actives.

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:31961417View source ↗

Bens G. Sunscreens. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2014;810:429-463 — review of organic and inorganic sunscreen filters, their spectral roles, formulation, and safety considerations.

2014Mechanism onlyPMID:25207381View source ↗

Avenel-Audran M et al. Octocrylene, an emerging photoallergen. Archives of Dermatology. 2010;146(7):753-757 — multicenter clinical study characterized contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene.

2010Mechanism onlyPMID:20644036View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

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