Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 13 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glutamic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Alcohol~7.6–9.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateLauryl methacrylate/sodium methacrylate crosspolymer~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl triazone~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneDimethicone~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateTitanium dioxide~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerButylene glycol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolXylitol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolDextrin palmitate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Dextrin palmitateDipropylene glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolHydrated silica~0.55–0.8%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseGlycerin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCetyl alcohol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneVinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that create a smooth product finish and can create an optical soft-focus effect on the skin. Helps to thicken the product consistency
More about Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymerTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilanePropanediol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerGlyceryl behenate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenatePolysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxidePotassium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Stearic acid~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholSorbitan distearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Agar~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AgarPolyvinyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
Isoceteth-20~0.25–0.45%
Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate~0.55–0.8%
Stearoyl glutamic acid~0.3–0.55%
Aminomethyl propanol~0.2–0.4%
Sodium stearoxy pg-hydroxyethylcellulose sulfonate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arginine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineBht~0.2–0.4%
Glutamic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidCeratonia siliqua gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and create thicker consistency
More about Ceratonia siliqua gumDisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMaltose~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Royal jelly extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee products
More about Royal jelly extractSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
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 gum, Disodium edta, Parfum, Maltose, Royal jelly extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Biore - UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, uvinul a plus, octinoxate and uvinul t. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 9 reviews 89% recommend this product- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, all of the reviewers (6) say that it does not pill under makeup.
- When it comes to comedogenicity, the majority of the reviewers (1 %) find that it clogs pores.
- As for the white cast, all of the reviewers (9) say that it does not leave a white cast.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the vast majority of the reviewers (100%) find that it stings eyes.
Price
The product retails for 2399.99KSH in Kenya, for 1018.00YEN in Japan, for 17.95A$ in Australia, from 10.56$ up to 45.58$ in the United States and from 15.98£ up to 39.76£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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