innisfree Aqua Water Drop Sunscreen Spf50+ Pa++++
Works for
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane + 14 moreWorks well
“This lightweight sunscreen leaves skin moisturized and feeling refreshed without the stickiness or a white cast.”
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:
saccharide hydrolysate, butylene glycol.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 3 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
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).
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Centella asiatica extract + 1 moreMay help
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Hamamelis virginiana leaf waterMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6.5%
- 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 methoxycinnamateHomosalate6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalatePropanediol~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolEthylhexyl salicylate4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate4%
- 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 benzoateButylene glycol~3.8–5.7%
- 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 glycolEthylhexyl triazone2.5%
- 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 triazoneNiacinamide~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about Niacinamide1,2-hexanediol~1.1–1.7%
Pentylene glycol~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolCaprylyl methicone~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerPolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.1–1.7%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSaccharide hydrolysate~0.85–1.25%
Parfum~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumOctyldodecanol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.9%
Adenosine~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineHydroxypropyl methylcellulose stearoxy ether~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker product formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose stearoxy etherCentella asiatica extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractHouttuynia cordata extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractSalvia hispanica seed extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that typically contains linolenic and linoleic acids that help soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Salvia hispanica seed extractEchium plantagineum seed oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
More about Echium plantagineum seed oilCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractHelianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiablesCardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
More about Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extractPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilHamamelis virginiana leaf water~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolCitric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexyl triazone, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Pentylene glycol, Caprylyl methicone, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Saccharide hydrolysate, Parfum, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose stearoxy ether, Centella asiatica extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Salvia hispanica seed extract, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Hamamelis virginiana leaf water, Tocopherol, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| innisfreeAqua Water Drop Sunscreen Spf50+ Pa++++YOUR PRODUCT | Make P:remUV Defense Me. Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ | OrjenaAqua UV Perfect Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ | Thank You FarmerКрем для лица солнцезащитный SPF 50+ PA++++ Sun Project Skin-Relief Sun Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | — | $31.90 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 14 | 5 of 14 | 7 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol | Cyclopentasiloxane | Uvasorb Heb |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++Too Cool For School Стойкий солнцезащитный крем On The Move Quadruple UV Shield SPF50+ PA++++
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "innisfree - Aqua Water Drop Sunscreen 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).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: uvinul a plus 4.00% (declared), octinoxate 6.50% (declared), octisalate 4.50% (declared), uvinul t 2.50% (declared) and homosalate 6.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.
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