I believe most of the people know how harmful UV rays are to your skin. It can cause skin ageing, dark spots, cancer and the list goes on and on. However, how many really make it a point to apply sunscreen/sunblock 10-15 minutes before Sun exposure? How many really look at what your current sunscreen can offer? How many understand SPF and PA ratings printed on the majority of the sunblocks?
Fret not, let me break the information down for you.
1. SPF rating
The higher, the better? Hmm not wrong to some extent. SPF rating reflects the protection against
UVB, the UV ray responsible for
damaging the outer layer of your skin and it can cause problems like
sunburns. You can know how long you will be protected from UVB via a simple calculation:
SPF rating x (no. of mins for skin to darken under Sun) = no of mins skin is protected from UVB rays.
A typical SPF 50 will generally give you a 16h protection, assuming it takes 20 mins for your skin to darken.
2. PA rating
PA rating system is more common in Asian markets. Basically, it reflects the level of protection against
UVA rays. UVA can lead to nasty stuff like
premature skin ageing as it penetrates more deeply than UVB rays. :(.
Currently, the highest PA rating known is '++++'.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
What: Sunscreen
Great for: Everyone, all skin types
Suitable for: Face and body
Consistency: Watery
Smell: Powdery, light
Size: 90 mL
Made in: Japan
Price: $18.90
Where to get: All leading pharmacies, super & hypermarkets, departmental stores, beauty stores and selected minimarts
Ingredients:
Water, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Dextrin Palmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, Polysorbate 60, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Distearate, Agar, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Stearoxy PG-Hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate, Arginine, BHT, Glutamic Acid, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Maltose, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Anise Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Methyl 2-Octynoate, Allyl Caproate, Alpha-Damascone, Benzoic Acid, Camphor, Delta-Damascone, Methyl Eugenol, Perillaldehyde, Turpentine
Promises:
1. Maximum UVA and UVB protection
2. Lightweight, smooth application without any sticky feeling
How to use:
1. Start with your usual morning routine
2. Apply a generous amount of Biore sunscreen on face/body
3. Proceed with makeup
4. Remove with makeup remover (face) at the end of the day
Packaging
Sturdy plastic case, light enough to carry around if required.
The information at the back of the container is in Japanese. I hope they can translate into English to cater for international users.
The opening of the bottle is rather large so it is very easy to pour the sunscreen out. This sunscreen is great for the body too.
Date of manufacture is stated at the bottom.
Smell
Nothing overwhelming. I realised Biore has cut back on their fragrance use over the years. Light and powdery. can go undetected on the skin unless you pay attention to it.
Ingredients
Biore Aqua Rich Sunscreen has a combination of both physical and chemical sunscreen ingredients. I believe this is why it is able to deliver a PA ++++ protection for users. (but don't quote me on that).
This UV watery gel has a lot of parabens in it. There are also ingredients I am not very excited to see.
Maximum protection
SPF 50+? Checked
PA++++? Checked
Actually, PA with 4+ rating is not very common yet. Majority of the over-the-counter sunscreens have 3+ only. I am not complaining, let's stay young for a longer time together hahaaaa.
Consistency
Pretty watery but not as lightweight as some other ranges from Biore.
Take a tiny bit of effort to blend. Nothing out of the world. There are small 'particles' inside. Not sure what they are but it does not affect the outcome.
Absorption
The liquidy consistency made absorption quite enough. Best to work it in with a fast hand.
On skin/Effect
Immediately after spreading it out, it can look glowy and feel slightly sticky.
After waiting for a couple of minutes...
It leaves my skin soft and ready for the rest of my makeup routine. It does not interfere with my makeup after that and you cannot detect anything oily about it.
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel lightly smoothens and whitens my skin. It is not white cast, don't worry.
However, I realised my face can look a little oily over time towards the end of the day (>10 hours). Caution: This may not work well with all foundations.
I am currently using powder/loose powder with it.
The Verdict
Overall, I am very happy with
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel. This is already my second or third bottle. With this sunscreen, you get both sensory and functionality in a bottle. The finish is great and it does not work against my current makeup routine. Furthermore, you get a big bottle of sunscreen for both face and bottle. I know my skin is getting the maximum protection with this SPF 50 and PA++++.
Pros
- Can be used for face and body
- SPF 50, PA++++
- Big bottle
- Value for money
- Non-oily, non-sticky texture
- No white cast
- Lightly scented
Cons
- Needs to spread out fast
- Need time for it to be absorbed well
- Not as lightweight as I have expected
- Can get oily after long hours (~10h)
Non-sticky: 5/5
Non-oily: 5/5
Oil control: 2.5/5
Texture/Consistency: 4/5
Sun protection rating: 5/5
Scent: 3.5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5
Rating: 9/10
Don't mind repurchasing
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