The one SPF lotion that won’t leave residue and stickiness on your face
We have all heard of the importance of sunscreen and we have all tried to wear it on our faces. Unfortunately, most sunscreens leave a white residue, or a stickiness and greasy layer that flakes off under makeup. This puts off most people from using sunscreen on their faces, which can lead to burns on the face, premature aging, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
Recent studies have found that one of the best anti-aging cream is… yes, sunscreen.[1] Using a broad spectrum sunscreen can protect the skin from premature aging. UVA exposure, which occurs even on a cloudy day, all year long, induces direct dermal alterations related to the photoaging process.[2] SPF should not be used only on beach days, but everyday, regardless if it is cloudy or winter. Unlike UVB, UVA radiations cannot be felt on the skin immediately. Their harmful effects are felt with time.
But what is the solution to the problem of sunscreen ruining our makeup and causing clogged pores? Fortunately for me, I got my hands on a face sunscreen produced on the Asian market. Asian beauty products, especially the ones focused on skincare have earned an excellent reputation. Not only does this cream have both UVB and UVA filters, protecting thus, from both short and long term solar radiations, but it also has a waterproof and moisturising formula, which, surprisingly, makes the routine of applying SPF on my face a pleasure.
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ (50g)
Packaging
The packaging is made of a plastic tube that can be squeezed. It is not rigid, being malleable at touch, and feels light. It is 12,3 cm long. One package contains 50g of product, making it easy to travel with. It is also hygienic by having to squeeze the product out.
The product and application
It has a slight yellow tint with a light citrus smell. It is not sticky, being watery. It is easily spreadable and penetrates the skin quickly. The feeling of it is that of a moisturising cream. It is refreshing, does not irritate, and needs under twenty seconds for it to dry completely.
About the brand
Bioré is a subsidiary brand of Kao Corporation, which holds a major place on the Japanese cosmetic market.
Pros:
- Provides high protection both for UVB and UVA
- Contains photo-stable UV filters (for example, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, generally known as Uvinul A Plus, which is a good photo-stable UVA filter)
- Contains some good UV filters that have not yet been accepted in the States (for example, Uvinul A Plus)
- Waterproof and sweat proof formula
- Watery, lightweight consistency, that leaves no residue or greasy feeling on the skin
- Easily absorbed in the skin
- Does not flake under makeup, making it a good base for makeup
- Claimed to have hydrating properties (Royal Jelly Extract) so it can be used as moisturiser, sunscreen and makeup primer
- It is affordable (it is usually sold from Japan with less than 9 GBP/12 USD)
- Does not cause or inflame acne
- Does not clog pores
- Does not cause irritation or redness (at least for my sensitive, acne prone skin)
- It is suitable even for very oily skin (tested on myself for more than a year)
Cons:
- It is not sold in Europe or the United Stated, therefore it has to be ordered online. You can find it on Amazon here.
- Contains perfume, which can be an irritant to the skin especially when used repeatedly
Where to buy
Attention! In my opinion the texture of the 50g Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is more suitable for the face than the 90ml one, which is advertised as suitable for both body and face (their ingredients differ as well). The latter does leave a greasy residue, and therefore, if you decide to order this product, please be aware that there is a difference between the two. For creating a good makeup base, without greasiness or flakiness, I strongly recommend the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ in 50g over the bigger one.
Sources
[1] Randhawa, M., Wang, S., Leyden, J., Cula, G., Pagnoni, A., Southall, M., (2016) Daily Use of a Facial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Over One-Year Significantly Improves Clinical Evaluation of Photoaging, Skin Research Center, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Available here.
[2] Bernerd F, Marionnet C, Duval C. (2012) Solar ultraviolet radiation induces biological alterations in human skin in vitro: Relevance of a well-balanced UVA/UVB protection. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, Suppl S1:15-23. Available here.
This blog post is not sponsored but it contains some affiliate links. To understand what this means please visit my Disclaimers page.
I also want to remind you that everyone’s skin is different and skincare products like sunscreens can work extremely differently from one person to the other.
29 Comments
thehappymommie
Sunscreens are a must for all seasons, but the biggest drawback is the sticky residue, after reading your post I thinkmI found my solution ! Thanks for sharing.
Surabhi
Looks like a promising product. I’m already a fan of Japanese products. Would love to give it a try.
Mary
This is a very good review and it’s a lotion worth trying out.
Puja
I like a good lotion that doesn’t lose residue. Thanks for sharing.
Denisa
You’ve described the product so well, I almost felt it on my skin! Well done!
Lipstick Café
That is great to know, thank you!
Alyssa
Yes, Biore products are definitely amazing especially the SPF ones! When we went to Japan, I bought a lot of their products because I know how effective it is! Thank you for this review.
Lipstick Café
I am glad it was useful. I definitely wish I could go to Japan and buy a stack of products!
Angelica
Thank you for providing a pros and cons list! My skin is very sensitive and I tend to break out with different products but I will definitely be trying this lotion, good thing its available on Amazon! 🙂
Lipstick Café
Thank you for your feedback! I tend to break out from most sunscreens as well. Let me know how you like it!
Melanie Hamilton
I neeeeed this big time! I am so pale and my biggest complaint with sunscreen is how it looks when I sweat!
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
Sunscreen is so important. The moisturizer I use has 25 SPF sunscreen in it, but some days that’s not enough. I’ll have to order some of the Biore to try it out.
Lipstick Café
Let me know how it goes!
Jenn Kalchik
I’ll have to try this out for myself!
Lipstick Café
Let me know what you think if you do try it!
Prajakta
Though I know sunscreen lotion is very important, I normally hate using it because they make me sweat. Its good to know about a product that’s sweat proof. Worth trying for sure.
Eve Morgan
This is a very positive review. I really struggle to find an SPF that doesn’t go sticky/shiny after use. I’ll definitely try this one!
Eve x
Lipstick Café
I know what you mean, I used to suffer from really oily skin. This one from Biore absorbed very quickly into the skin. Let me know how you like it.
Ting
I absolutely Love this sunscreen! It’s godsend. So silky and moist on my skin! Great product
Lipstick Café
I am so glad! What skin type do you have?
Monidipa
Ok the review looks really good. And I guess I’ll go for it but does it help for combined skin?
Lipstick Café
I tried it on really oily skin and it felt amazing. I later on tried it while taking Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) which causes extremely dry, irritated skin. At the time, I preferred something more greasy and moisturising. I’d say it could work on combination skin, especially if you tend to get oily in your T zone.
Renata
I had no idea Bioré was Japanese. That, of course, explains the good quality.
Lipstick Café
I know what you mean!
Thuy-Linh Phan
I use SPF everyday and I love trying new products! Japanese beauty is so great in my opinion and I’d definitely give this product a try.
Lipstick Café
You are right, they very often are really good! If you do try this one, please let me know how it goes! It is always so interesting to see how the same products acts on different skins!
Live2byou
Sunscreen is a must these days and this product sounds like a good one!
Tracy Lee
I’m so glad to have read this review. I have been in need to find an spf I could wear with my makeup and will definitely be giving this a try.
Lipstick Café
Let me know how it goes!