Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence vs. Gel vs. Skin Aqua Sunscreens: Which is Best for You?

• The Difference & Reviews

| Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++

($6.99, up to 3% cashback at Stylevana)

What Does It Do? 

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen is a water-based sunscreen that combines strong UV protection and a light texture. It is easily absorbed by the skin and does not leave a sticky feeling. It has a gentle aroma of white lily.

Kao Corporation, of which the Biore brand is a member, has developed a special Micro Defense formula for protection from ultraviolet radiation. It is the only Micro Defense formula in the world that provides uniform coverage for the skin, fine lines and uneven micro-level surfaces, while protecting vulnerable skin from UV damage.

The Unique Aqua Micro Capsule releases moisture during application, leaving the skin soft. Also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Royal Jelly Extract and Butyl Glycol for enhanced hydration.

Type of protection: Chemical

Active ingredients: Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate), Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150),  Uvinul A Plus (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate)

Texture: Aqua Rich is nothing like traditional sunscreen. Whereas most are thick goops and white creams, Aqua Rich is like a light and silky gel-serum hybrid. The formula has a jelly-like wetness to it, but not in a greasy or oily way.It glides over and into skin instantly and without a trace. No phantom cast, no gunky feeling on the surface of the skin. It feels more like a facial serum than a sunscreen.

Fragrance: It blurts out of the tube in a satisfyingly smooth blob, with a pale milky-yellow hue and barely-there scent. The smell is super faint and fresh. 

Best for: For all skin types, including acne-prone skin.

Review: It's hailed as the No.1 summer staple in Japan. The lightweight formula is easy to apply evenly and dries down to virtually nothing. It's completely colorless once applied and can be removed just by washing with soap. It's perfect for those who hate wearing sunscreen, or who care to dedicate a maximum of 10 seconds to their morning skin regime. 

Pros:

Absorbs swiftly and smoothly

Wears well under makeup

Blends in fast 

Affordable

It does not contain dyes

Inhibits acne

It has passed allergenic tests

Cons:

It contains alcohol

| Biore UV AQUA Rich Watery Gel SPF50+/PA++++

($15.99, up to 4% cashback at walmart)

What Does It Do? 

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ Sunscreen features Biore's "Micro Defense” formula that uses ±0.2 μm sized micro-encapsulated UV filters and Biore's new proprietary "Ultra-Light Outer Skin" technology, creating a thin and even UV-blocking film that adheres uniformly like a second layer of skin down to the micro crevices. It gives the skin more uniform daily protection against UV damage while maintaining the same water-gel texture and fresh finish as before. 

Added "light correction powder" gives the skin a light-diffusing, brightening effect. Moisture-rich water capsules, hyaluronic acid, royal jelly, and butylene glycol keep the skin hydrated. Waterproof up to 80 minutes.

Type of protection: Chemical and Physical

Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Octinoxate, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus

Texture: This product glide on the skin so well! It is smooth, hydrated but not sticky, and the texture is between milky emulsion and watery gel. It feels plump but not too rich. You can see the skin is instantly glowing but not shiny nor covering in a white layer. 

Fragrance: You will also notice a light alcohol scent at the beginning which vanishes quickly and leaves the signature citrus/lemon scent of this sunscreen. 

Best for: For face and body with dry to normal skin.

Review: This sunscreen is sweat and waterproof and designed for face and body with SPF50 so you can use it daily and also for outdoor activities. The water-light gel provides long-lasting protection against casual UV exposure and dryness and without leaving a sticky or white residue. Skin feels fresh and smooth and looks brighter. Ideally suited for everyday wear.

Pros:

Light waery texture spreads easily

Stays on the skin so well

Easily absorbed

Smooth, hydrated but not sticky

Non-comedogenic, allergy tested

Suitable for use as makeup base

For Face & Body

Cons:

Also have alcohol

UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence vs. Gel:

As you can see in the image, the watery gel comes in a 90ml bottle whereas the watery essence is in a much smaller squeeze tube with only 50g of product. They both have a beautiful blue gradient on the packaging to symbolise Aqua (water). There is a 40g difference in quantity between the two sunscreens, this is because the watery gel which is 90ml, is meant to be used for the face and body, whereas the watery essence is primarily for the face.

When you first squeeze the products out you can see that the watery essence has a semi-translucent pale green-yellow gel appearance, and has a consistency that is similar to a gel in that it is light and able to hold its form, yet it is also thin like an essence. Whereas, the watery gel has actually got an off white milky appearance, does not hold its form and is very runny in consistency so it easily drips.

When working the product into the skin, the watery essence is very light, refreshing, smooth and does not leave a white cast at all. Whereas the watery gel has visible white specs in it, yet still has a lightness and smoothness to it.

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| Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF50+/PA++++

($7.59, up to 3% cashback at Stylevana)

What Does It Do? 

This sunscreen can be used on the face and body to provide protection against UVA/UVB for the transparent finish. It is in lightweight texture and gives you a refreshing feeling which resembles the application of toner for comfortable and re-hydrating results. 

It has SPF50 and PA++++ sun protection with Collagen, Supahiaruron Acid Hyaluronic Acid and Amino Acid for light moisturizing, smoothing and protecting benefits. It resists water and sweat, as well as prevents redness, sunburn, and sunspots.

Type of protection: Chemical

Active ingredients: Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150

Texture: The super moisture gel has a very liquid texture, unlike its name gel. The texture is like water. The product can give a patchy application as it dries down very quickly. It is extremely skin-like and doesn’t leave any white cast. You can not even tell if you are using any sunscreen or not.

Fragrance: The sunscreen has Alcohol in it so it does have a strong alcoholic scent. But the scent goes away within a minute.

Best for: An ideal choice for oily or acne-prone skin types.

Review: This sunscreen is sweat and waterproof and designed for face and body with SPF50 so you can use it daily and also for outdoor activities. The water-light gel provides long-lasting protection against casual UV exposure and dryness and without leaving a sticky or white residue. Skin feels fresh and smooth and looks brighter. Ideally suited for everyday wear.

Pros:

Great skin like the satin matte finish

Offers great sun protection

Very easy to apply and comes in a large bottle

Budget-friendly

Doesn't have any white cast in it

Super waterproof and sweatproof

Cons:

Have a high concentration of alcohol

Not very sensitive skin friendly

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence vs. Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel:

After stacking up the Biore UV Aqua Rich vs Skin Aqua sunscreen, it might not be immediately obvious as to which deserves your patronage.

Ultimately, it comes down to your skin type. If you have drier, more sensitive skin, you will prefer the Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF 50+ (thanks to its exclusion of fragrance and other potential irritatins). However, if your skin verges on the more oily side of things, then the Biore UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen is for you.

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