Reviewed: Bioré’s UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen

Certainly one of my favourite issues to do whereas touring is tucking right into a drugstore and filling my cart—and finally my suitcase and toilet again at dwelling—with overseas magnificence merchandise. (Glorious current finds embody sizzling pink Curaprox toothbrushes in Sicily). However nothing catches my eye like worldwide sunscreens, that are way more modern than their American counterparts. That is how I discovered myself poring over the shelf of cool blue Bioré tubes at a pristine two-story pharmacy in Tokyo.

Many Individuals know the Bioré model for its charcoal face wash and beloved Pore Strips. Japanese buyers, after all, have entry to the Tokyo-based firm’s full product line, which features a jelly cleanser, steam-activated serum, and one very high-tech sunscreen: Bioré UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen. In it went to my basket, alongside a lifetime provide of fiber-wig mascara. Within the two years since that fateful encounter, American magnificence manufacturers have launched their very own gel sunscreens, however right here’s why I’m devoted to the Bioré O.G.

The Backside Line

The antithesis to heavy, thick sunscreen, Bioré’s gel-like UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen sinks into pores and skin straight away—no heavy residue or white tint. It feels nearer in texture to a serum than a sunscreen, and received’t clog pores or trigger breakouts or dryness. Bioré’s UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen protects towards UV harm, incorporates hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and resists water and sweat for as much as 80 minutes. Pores and skin feels recent and dewy, not gooped up.

Bioré UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence $14.00

About My Pores and skin: Mixture and acne-prone

A fast rundown of what I am working with: A T-zone that’s oily to the purpose of reflectiveness. But additionally flaky patches. A really breakout-prone nostril and chin. Blackheads, effective strains, darkish spots. The gang’s all right here. At one level, my skincare concerned alleged options to all of those points, however in time, I’ve whittled issues down. (I’ve a life to steer and it not has house for my circa-2014 10-step ritual). I management what I can, and that’s preserving my pores and skin protected from the solar with hats and sunscreen—thus the obsessive sunscreen buying. That is very true in overseas nations, the place sunscreens are sometimes way more superior than what now we have right here within the states.

The Really feel: Like a splash of water

Proper out of the gate, Aqua Wealthy is nothing like conventional sunscreen. Whereas most are thick goops and white lotions, Aqua Wealthy is sort of a mild and silky gel-serum hybrid. It blurts out of the tube in a satisfyingly {smooth} blob, with a pale milky-yellow hue and barely-there scent. (The scent is tremendous faint and recent). The method has a jelly-like wetness to it, however not in a greasy or oily manner. As a substitute, the gel feels cool and slippery to the contact. It feels extra like a facial serum than a sunscreen.

The method’s vanishing act is the place issues actually get cool—it glides over and into pores and skin immediately and with out a hint. No phantom solid, no gunky feeling on the floor of the pores and skin. “Watery Essence” isn’t a made-up product identify: It looks like a splash of water over your face. I’d go as far as to say that it’s a pleasure to use.

The Elements

Watery Essence may be very a lot the product of a lab. The chemical UV filter octinoxate performs a starring function, with loads of synthetics thrown in for that slip issue and invisibility. Alcohol is the second ingredient, although any drying impact is offset by a lineup of mega-moisturizers: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and the antioxidant vitamin E, which protects towards free-radical harm. Dimethicone helps create that ultra-smooth texture. The method additionally incorporates arginine, an amino acid and anti-ager that enhances collagen synthesis, and royal jelly extract, an ingredient that smooths and brightens.

The Outcomes: Glowy, quenched, and guarded

Alone, Bioré’s UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen leaves pores and skin glowy and quenched but it surely additionally wears nicely below make-up. The slippy method briefly fills in effective strains and helps the ultra-smooth texture play good with each concealer, basis, and bronzer in my make-up bag. The sunshine, watery texture is completely different from conventional sunscreens and is good for shiny, acne-prone pores and skin. The long-term advantages are simply as spectacular. Bioré’s strong SPF (50+) is larger than most drugstore choices, so it’s more practical at blocking damaging free radicals and stopping untimely getting old.

The Worth

In my expertise, there are two massive sides to the face sunscreen Venn diagram. On one aspect, there are these with excellent weight and robust safety, however steep worth tags. (I’m pondering SkinCeuticals and Tatcha). On the opposite aspect, there are drugstore picks which can be reasonably priced, however much less subtle so far as formulation. Bioré UV resides in that tiny candy spot within the center: It is a method that feels luxurious at an affordable worth level. And when it comes to SPF, it outshines even many costly rivals. All in all, contemplating the associated fee (low cost), SPF (excessive), and texture (mild and fast-absorbing), this product is a improbable choose. And in case you, like me, go for the three-pack, nicely, that simply makes the deal even sweeter. Be aware: Bioré’s UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen is barely out there to U.S. buyers through Amazon.

Comparable Merchandise: You’ve got choices

Glossier Invisible Protect: The smothering feeling, the chalky extra—have been engineered out of the equation. Glossier’s sunscreen is completely clear, blends in quick, and works very well. The downsides are that it incorporates much less SPF (35 versus 50+) and fewer precise product (one versus 1.7 ounces), and prices about twice the worth at $25.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: Supergoop’s clear sunscreen with a velvety texture is a slam dunk of a sunscreen. It’s the identical dimension as Bioré UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen (1.7 ounces) however is a costlier possibility at $36. The SPF 40 is strong, the protection clear, and the formulation pure (not like Bioré’s artificial one). Unseen has a extra matte end in comparison with Watery Essence, which leaves pores and skin dewy and recent.

Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 55: In the event you’re in search of nice SPF at a low price ($14), this oil-free lotion gives high-quality solar safety and a non-comedogenic method that received’t clog pores. Not like the Bioré, Glossier, and Supergoop choices, this one is opaque and takes a little bit of elbow grease to work in.

Our Verdict

Greenback for greenback, ounce for ounce, Bioré’s UV Aqua Wealthy Watery Essence Sunscreen is one hundred pc value shopping for. It greater than holds its personal towards the competitors when it comes to effectiveness and invisibility on pores and skin—and outshines when it comes to worth. The light-weight gel absorbs swiftly and easily, has zero grease issue (extra of a recent, dewy end), and delivers a giant dose of moisture to thirsty pores and skin, because of glycerin and hyaluronic acid. It’s ultimate for shiny pores and skin but irrespective of your pores and skin sort, its excellent SPF50+ blocks UV rays from doing their photo-aging, skin-damaging factor.