asian SPF – sarah fynn

Kao – Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 2019 Edition

It’s been a while since I did a k beauty sunscreen review. I have picked up a few over the last months and started to put them to test.

Today will be a full review of Kao – Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 2019 Edition. This is a very popular k beauty SPF which my fellow skincare enthusiasts love.

What the brand says

This updated version of Biore’s most loved UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ is powered by the innovative Micro Defense formula to prevent uneven application. The colorless essence forms an invisible waterproof shield on skin without feeling sticky. Hyaluronic acid, royal jelly and other moisturizing ingredients keep skin comfortable and hydrated. Excellent as a primer!

Experience

Type of sunscreen– chemical

I have been using this sunscreen in the mornings as the last step of skincare before makeup. It’s lasted about 3 weeks. When I’m working from home I would also use it for reapplication.

I have not experienced any irritation

What I liked: this gel cream goes on so easily and spreads evenly on the skin. I feels so hydrating on the skin and absorbs to leave a dewy finish. It’s got new generation chemical filters which offer better protection. This has a high PA rating 4 so you are also getting excellent UVA protection. It’s got hydrating and antioxidant ingredients for hydrating and added protection against pollution. It layers so well over serums and creams and doesn’t pill when reapplied!

Is it invisible on dark skin? This sunscreen is 100% invisible on dark skin. No flashbacks

What I didn’t like: has a strong scent of alcohol but this doesn’t linger too long

Verdict

I can see why this SPF is so popular! I used the 2019 version and this formula is great. A very nice gel cram texture that feels hydrating on the skin. This sunscreen offers excellent protection against the sun plus the added hydration and antioxidant ingredient make it a well-rounded formula.

I will repurchase.

Kao – Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 2019 Edition is £7.26 on Yesstyle

Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish SPF 50 Review

You guys know I have been obsessed with Asian skincare since I discovered YesStyle! I’ve been getting through my kbeauty stash (slowly) and reviews are getting on the blog now. One of the most exciting things I am discovering is affordable high factor sunscreens that are invisible on the skin! I got a few to test out for dark skintones.

Today’s post will be a full review and demo of Etude House SPF50. This promises to protect the skin from premature ageing and has plant extracts to help the skin from sun exposure. It contains 100% mineral filters, so they say it makes it suitable for sensitive skin. They also promise a non-greasy non-sticky finish which dries matte and doesn’t leave a white cast.

Experience

This has a very watery and light fluid consistency with a mild scent which I do not find pleasant. This was a total miss for me and a hit & miss for a friend. Let me explain.

I found this sunscreen extremely matte and drying on my skin. it has a powdery feel when its dried down. The first time I tested this product, it left a white cast on my skin. I did watch and read some reviews who said it was invisible on their skin and my friend also heard a lot of good reviews about it which is why I bought it in the first place. So I take this to my friend for her to test out and she tells me its 100% invisible on her skin, mind you, she’s probably half a shade darker than me so I told her to keep it.

A few weeks later I asked her how she’s getting on with it and she tells me after using it for the first 3 days on holiday it suddenly started leaving a white cast on her skin so she’s returning to me LOOL. The picture below is how it looks on my skin you have to shake the product before application ( see the bags under my eyes-I could take it on holiday!)

Verdict

This is a miss for me but there are a lot of reviews out state its invisible on skin including dark skin. In terms of the promises, it does feel very light on the skin and it’s not greasy or sticky. It dries matte, very matte but it definitely leaves a white cast on dark skin! I don’t like it because I think its matte and drying so even if it was invisible I don’t think I would be using it.

A little bit disappointed as I heard great reviews on this product. Let me know if you have this product and how it’s working for you.

Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish SPF 50 is £8.69 on YesStyle*

Use my code SARAHF1for ££ of your order

OMI – Menturm The Sun UV Protect Gel Water-Proof SPF 50+ Review

I have been busy testing out Asian sunscreens and this post is an update on the SPF haul I did back in March from Yes Style. I told you guys I am working on an Asian sunscreen edit for dark skin so I have slowly been making my way through my batch. Today’s post will be a full review and demo on OMI – Menturm The Sun UV Protect Gel Water-Proof SPF 50+ PA++++ and how it looks on dark skin.

OMI is a popular J beauty brand and this SPF promises to ‘blend’ moisture into the skin and formulated with 7 plant extracts. They say it’s waterproof and suitable for the skin & body

Experience

I have been using this sunscreen for the last month and I am halfway through the bottle. It is a very lightweight consistency, they describe it as a gel but it’s more of a very light essence/lotion consistency. It has a ‘noticeable’ alcohol scent. It’s not too strong but you can definitely notice it, in fact, ethanol is the 2^nd ingredient in this SPF.

The SPF sinks into the skin well and the way I apply it makes a difference in terms of the finish and feel of my skin. The 1^st time I used it, I rubbed it into the skin and it made my skin feel very tight & dry later in the day. So dry that I purchased another cream (thank God I work in a hospital) to moisture my face. In this application, I didn’t use a hydrating serum underneath so it may have contributed to the dryness too. For the 2^nd time, I used a hydrating serum and slathered the SPF on, but I let it absorb into the skin naturally and gently pressed the excess into my skin. My skin was left hydrated and later in the day my skin it didn’t feel as dry & tight. I have also used this method with a non-hydrating serum and my skin felt better than my 1^st time so this is the way I have been using it. There is still some dryness later in the day but nothing compared to my first time.

Is it invisible on black skin? YES. This SPF sinks into the skin quickly and it’s completely & 100% invisible! There is no flashback with this under makeup and it doesn’t sting my eyes. I have also used this on my body and again completely invisible.

Verdict

I love the super lightweight texture of the SPF and the fact that it’s invisible on the skin. I do not like the alcohol in it which is responsible for making my skin feel dry throughout the day. You will also notice the alcohol scent. As for being waterproof, the 3^rd ingredient and others are insolvable in water but I do not have a way of testing the waterproof claims out.

Compared to the Missha, this one came completely full. Easy and functional packaging. It’s bigger than the others, this is 100ml whilst the others are 50 ml.

Will I recommend? Hmm, I want to say yes but with caution because of the alcohol in it. Definitely not for dry skin and I would recommend a few others before this.

Will I repurchase? Yes but as a very last option and not right away. I will be purchasing a few more SPF’s soon from Yes Style.

I’m conflicted: LOVE the texture and invisibility on dark skin but ethanol as a 2^nd ingredient? The evidence is clear this is not one of the good guys and it causes dryness. I haven’t experienced any irritation or breakouts from this.

I have a hater living on my forehead rent free SMH

If you want to check it out for yourself it’s £9.16 on Yesstyle*.

Check out my SPF for Dark skin edit which links all the SPF’s I recommend for dark skin in one post!

Catch you later

*affiliate link used.