Works for
MoisturizingDimethicone, Cetyl alcohol + 6 moreWorks
“Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence helps to hydrate and protect skin.”
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:
sodium hyaluronate, royal jelly extract.
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: dimethicone, cetyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~6.3–7.7%
- 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 methoxycinnamateAlcohol~4.5–5.6%
- 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 AlcoholButylene glycol~3.2–3.9%
- 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 glycolIsopropyl palmitate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateTitanium dioxide~2.6–3.1%
- 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 dioxideBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.2–2.7%
- 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 triazineEthylhexyl triazone~2–2.4%
- 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~1.3–1.6%
- 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 DimethiconeLauryl methacrylate/sodium methacrylate crosspolymer~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.8–1.2%
- 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 benzoateSilica~0.9–1.15%
Hydrated silica~0.75–1.15%
Mica~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaDextrin palmitate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Dextrin palmitateDipentaerythrityl tri-polyhydroxystearate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- 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 crosspolymerTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.35–0.65%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCetyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.4–0.6%
- 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 stearateHydroxyethylcellulose~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePolysorbate 60~0.3–0.55%
Polysilicone-9~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aluminum hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
- 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~0.25–0.5%
Royal jelly extract~0.2–0.4%
- 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~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTin oxide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxidePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.15–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Bht~0.1–0.15%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Butylene glycol, Isopropyl palmitate, Titanium dioxide, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Dimethicone, Lauryl methacrylate/sodium methacrylate crosspolymer, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Silica, Hydrated silica, Mica, Dextrin palmitate, Dipentaerythrityl tri-polyhydroxystearate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Polysilicone-9, Aluminum hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Royal jelly extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Tin oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Disodium edta, Bht, Parfum
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Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| KaoUV Aqua Rich Light Up EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | VT CosmeticsCica Essence Sun | SkinLabHybarrier Fresh Sun Lotion | SKIN 1004.Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica Soothing Sun Milk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 33% | 32% | 30% |
| Price | — | $19.18 | $3.47 | $15.41 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: KAINE Green Fit Pro SunDr. Ceuracle Pro Balance Biotics Clear Up Sun
Product summary
"Kao - UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 16.95A$ in Australia.
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.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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