Is there anything trickier than finding just the right sunscreen for your skin?
I think if I asked this question years ago, there would have been a resounding “no”, because sunscreens were always known for being greasy, thick and stinky. But I’m here to tell that there are literally NO EXCUSES for not wearing a sunscreen daily, because SPF formulas have come a long way from those greasy creams and the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is a prime example of a sunscreen that ticks all my boxes for summer sun protection.
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What Is It?
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen is a chemical sunscreen made by Japanese skin care brand Kao.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them to heat to protect skin from UV damage.
It has a cult following for its lightweight, fast absorbing texture that is loved by oily skin types everywhere. The brand claims that the formula prevents uneven application and gets right into micro-crevices while gently protecting skin from UV damage with an ultra-light second-skin matte finish and broad spectrum UV coverage. Ingredients include moisture rich water capsules to prevent dryness, hyaluronic acid to attract moisture and royal jelly extract and glycerin for hydration. It also rinses away easily despite its waterproof formulation and doubles as a makeup primer.
What Does the PA++++ Mean?
The PA++++ rating on Asian sunscreens represents the rating assigned from a PPD test, or the persistent pigmentation darkening test, which measure the multiple increase of UVA rays a person can be exposed to without getting a tan on the skin. The PA system ranges from PA+ to PA++++; the maximum PA++++ rating has a PPD of 16, meaning a person can theoretically withstand at least 16 times more UVA radiation before tanning with the sunscreen on compared to without.
What’s In Biore UV Aqua Rich – Ingredients List
Before you scan the ingredients, you should know that Biore UV Aqua Rich contains alcohol, which you can clearly smell upon opening. Alcohol is great for helping skin care products dry quickly and works to mattify the skin, but it can also dry out skin and cause irritation to some skin types. I haven’t had any issues with the alcohol in this sunscreen, but if you prefer alcohol-free skin care products, you’ll have to skip Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence.
The chemical filters in this sunscreen that offer broad spectrum UV protection are:
-ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
-ethylhexyl triazone
-diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate and
-bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine
This sunscreen is also free from gluten, sulphates, parabens and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
Ingredient in Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen include:
Water, ethanol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl triazone, isopropyl palmitate, (lauryl methacrylate / Na methacrylate) crosspolymer, diethylaminohydroxybenzoylhexylbenzoate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, bisethylhexyl oxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, palmitic acid Dextrin, BG, xylitol, (acrylate / alkyl acrylate (C10-30)) crosspolymer, dimethicone, alkyl benzoate (C12-15), glycerin, glyceryl stearate, propanediol, glyceryl behenate, (vinyl dimethicone / methicone Silsesquioxane) crosspolymer, cetanol, agar, sorbitan distearate, isoceteth-20, polyvinyl alcohol, (dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone) Suporima, stearoyl glutamate, arginine, hydroxide K, hydroxide Na, royal jelly extract, hyaluronic acid Na, phenoxyethanol, EDTA-2Na, BHT, perfume.
What Skin Type Is Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Best For?
If you have oily or combo skin, I highly recommend Biore UV Aqua Rich for its lightweight, non-greasy formula. Normal skin types trying to avoid shine might also enjoy Aqua Rich. However, I would not recommend Biore Aqua Rich for dry or sensitive skin types; it won’t provide enough hydration and the alcohol content could be irritating….more on this later…
BUY IT: Amazon | Yesstyle
RELATED READING: Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA++++
Why Biore UV Aqua Rich Will Make You Love Sunscreen
Biore Aqua Rich is an amazingly lightweight Asian sunscreen that feels absolutely weightless on the skin – to the point that you don’t even realize you applied a sunscreen. The texture is thin, a bit runny and a cross between a cream and a gel, making it a really lovely lotion-like product and one of the best sunscreens for oily skin. Aqua Rich is non-tacky and spreads like a dream to quickly disappear into my skin into an invisible layer of sun protection
Translation: no white cast or greasiness ever! And it gets better; Aqua Rich protects without any whiff of sunscreen or added fragrances and it doesn’t sting my eyes when I massage it into my eye area – despite the alcohol content. It also works seamlessly under my makeup and doesn’t pill on top of my moisturizers.
My current lightweight morning moisturizers?
I’ve been using the Estee Lauder Day Wear Matte gel or the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Cream with Rosehip; both are amazingly lightweight, non-greasy options that hydrate without shine.
BUY BIORE UV AQUA RICH: Amazon
RELATED READING: 15 Great Moisturizers For Oily Skin
If you have normal to oily skin and are looking for the most lightweight, barely-there sunscreen to keep your mug protected from the sun, I highly recommend Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence.
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