Biore UV Sunscreens

Where I got it

I bought the Biore UV Watery Essence sunscreen a little while back and I think I got it at Japan Mart (forgot the actual price, but it was around the $20-$25). Then recently I ordered the new Aqua Rich Lotion from Sunday Ritual for $25. Sunday Ritual also has the Watery Essence for $21. I won’t be talking about the other sunscreens here because I want to focus on Biore.

What I got

These are the Biore UV Aqua Rich Lotion SPF50 PA++++ (30ml) and Watery Essence SPF50 PA++++ (30ml).

Aqua Rich Lotion SPF50 PA++++ was a limited-edition release in 2021 but it was so popular it has now been added to the official line-up. The water-like texture protects against daily UV exposure with no icky white cast. It absorbs into the skin quickly and contains Hyaluronic Acid, Royal Jelly, and Glycerine to leave the skin feeling hydrated.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate [Octinoxate], Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone [Octyltriazone aka Uvinul T 150], Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate [DHHB aka Unvinul A Plus], Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine [Bemotrizinol aka Tinosorb S], Dextrin Palmitate, Agar, Cellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-9, Sodium Hydroxide, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Fragrance

Watery Essence SPF50 PA++++ is an absolute cult classic but here are a few reasons why this is our go-to:- No white cast It absorbs into the skin immediately and feels more like a bougee serum than a very practical sunscreen- No icky heavy residue like traditional sunscreens- The light, watery texture makes it ideal for all skin types but especially good for those with oily, acne-prone skin- Perfect for wearing under your make-up

Ingredients: Water, Ethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lauryl Methacrylate/​Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dextrin Palmitate, BG, Xylitol, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate 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 Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Arginine, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA 2Na, BHT, Fragrance

How I find it

The Biore UV Aqua Rich Lotion has a cute little round bottle and a screw top lid with a partially clear design. The formula is a bi-phase liquid inside with a metal ball inside so you shake it to mix the formula up and then the product comes out from a slightly pointed nozzle. The consistency is very liquid and runny which makes it difficult to measure with finger-lengths. As they say, you need 2 full finger lengths of 1/4 teaspoon of sunscreen for the entire face. You are best off to measure with measuring spoon if you wish. I’m not that fussy, but I do use a decent amount. With a watery consistency like this, I like to layer. Apply about 2 layers to make sure I have enough coverage and it gets easier for my skin to handle and to avoid getting messy.

The formula is very interesting because when I rub the formula, I can see little dots which I thought was the formula wasn’t mixing thoroughly, but it was actually the water droplets in the formula. This is a hydrating formula and it leaves that fresh, watery feeling on the skin upon application. It leaves minimal to no white cast on my skin and I do have light/medium skin tone with an yellow undertone. My face is maybe 1 shade lighter than my face so that’s a reference. The finish is slightly dewy and skin looks moisturised, it does take about a minute for the sunscreen to settle and dry down on my combination skin, but it is not greasy or oily to the touch once it is dried down.

Let’s move onto the Watery Essence. This one has been a cult-favourite and that’s why I got it as well. I was expecting a watery essence literally. However, it is not watery at all, it was almost like a hydrating gel-cream. It almost melt into the skin and feels really nice and fresh to the touch. Not like a powdery finish, but a really comfortable, non-stick lotion finish.

As you can see below, these are the texture comparisons of a couple of sunscreens I have on hand. Most of them are really fluid, except for the Shiseido BB Sports which is quite thick and tinted. The middle 3 sunscreens would run down the tray if I were to tip it vertically. The thinnest texture would have to be the Biore UV Aqua Rich Lotion, and then the Shiseido and Bondi Sands are very similar. The Biore Watery Essence is a gel-creamy texture, so it doesn’t run.

Photo below indicates how these would spread. Biore sunscreens have a light coverage and they practically have no white cast. Therefore for the Aqua Rich Lotion, I would suggest to layer this to get good SPF protection. They do leave a slightly dewy finish, but the new Rich Lotion is really hydrating with that water-drop formulation.

Overall

The Biore UV Aqua Rich Lotion has got to be one of my favourite sunscreens and the UV Watery Essence is also very good for summer time or when my skin is slightly oilier. The Aqua Rich Lotion is more moisturising on the skin and you can feel it. Both of these sunscreens do not leave a white cast on me at all. When I want a bit of a matte finish with a powdery soft finish, I would definitely go for Shiseido. I have been reaching for Korean or Japanese sunscreens for a long time because they are just amazing and I know that they would do a very good job because Asian culture really love their sun protection and they don’t half-ass their SPF.

What is your favourite sunscreen and have you tried any of these sunscreens?