Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 review – The Classic Staple – twindly beauty blog

Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is FAMOUS. People have been singing its praises as the most-lightweight and cosmetically elegant sunscreen from Japan. It’s also  being reformulated every five minutes (this is a review of the 2019 formula), comparatively cheap, and easily available. Let’s see if there’re any downsides to this famous Japanese sunscreen in the Biore UV Aqua review!

The Brand

Biore belongs to the Japanese company Kao. Kao has been around since 1887 (!), started with manufacturing soaps and has been branching out ever since. They own not only brands you might associate with J-Beauty like Kate, Kanebo and MegRhythm, but also John Frieda, Oribe and Molton Brown.

Description Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Spf50+ Pa++++

The new, improved release consists of (…) Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, a watery essence with a transparent feel that blends effortlessly with the skin, (…), delivering maximum UV protection of SPF50+ and PA++++.
(They) combine strong UV protection with light-to-the-touch texture.
Kao has developed a Micro Defense formula that uses a capsule packed with a UV protection agent. When applied to a cream, it covers the whole body like a layer of skin. The formula evens the application of sunscreen by forming a fine veil on the skin and spreading into micro crevices.
Despite the robust protection they provide against UV, these new sunscreens feel as light as water on the skin. The airy, vibrant sensation never disappears, no matter how often the sunscreens are reapplied.

Kao Global

So we’re looking at a formula that’s supposed to be as light as water, transparent and non-sticky, and on top of that with a great broad spectrum protection.

Ingredients

Biore UV Aqua review

First things first: yes, Biore DOES include both alcohol and fragrance into its formula. This is offset by adding hydrating and soothing ingredients as well. There’re some natural moisturizing factors like Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, and one antioxidant (Tocopherol). It’s definitely not packed with hero ingredients, but packs a punch when it comes to filters. (Full ingredient list.)

Filters

Sunscreen FilterTypeSpectrumRemarksEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (7.0%) / Octinoxate / Octyl Methoxycinnamate
chemical / organic
UVB (at wavelengths: 280-320 nm) with a peak protection at 310nm
clear, oil-soluble, “cosmetically-elegant” liquid, not photostable (loses 10% of its SPF protection ability within 35 mins), needs other filters to stabilize (like Tinosorb S)Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150)chemical / organicphotostable UVB filteroil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available everywhere except the US & CanadaDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (5.0%) / Uvinul A Plus
chemical / organic
high UVA protection (320-400 nm) with peak protection at 354nm
high photostability, can be used up to 10%, available elsewhere but the US & CanadaBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Tinosorb Schemical / organicbroad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm)very photostable, available elsewhere but the USBiore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Spf50 filters

Sadly, I guess the UVA protection will only be around 16.

Sustainability

“For the company’s national and international experience in sustainable development, and eco-friendly products, the Environment Possibility Award conferred the “Environmental Heroes of the Year” to Kao Corporation in 2020.”

Wikipedia

Now you know!

Biore UV Aqua review: Application

Biore has an astonishing formula and texture here: it’s not as light and runny as you’d think when hearing “watery essence”. On top of that, it’s so dense that it doesn’t even fill up the little teaspoon measuring tool. However, it applies and blends easily.

My usual skincare routine with this is to apply a light moisturizer (Paula’s Choice’s CBD Milk – review here, but beware, it’s discontinued) underneath it. The reason for that is the rather high alcohol content of the Biore and that I feel better to have a barrier between the sunscreen and my skin. I’ve to stress though that I’ve worn this continuously only for one week (I had this longer but switching sunscreen constantly due to all the new ones we tested). Most importantly, I didn’t see any negative effect on my combination skin. The moisturizer did change the finish a bit.

Biore UV Aqua review: Finish

However, here’s the only drawback of Biore’s Aqua Rich sunscreen: it’s not untraceable on the skin. Aditionally, it does leave a sticky finish that takes some time to “set” on the skin. After 30mins to one hour it has sunk in enough that I can apply my foundation and makeup. And, if I wear moisturizer underneath it, it might take up to one hour easily. On the plus side, it neither pills nor leaves a white cast.

The Claims

Blends effortlessly with skin – yes.

Light to the touch texture – no, it leaves a rather sticky finish.

Feels light as water on skin – somehow, it does: when it comes into contact with skin, it feels a bit gel-like and refreshing.

Checklist

Checklist: Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 review

Rating

The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence has a lot going on for it: it’s easy to wear, cheap, and easily available nearly everywhere. Sure, the UVA protection could be higher, and the finish a tiny bit more untraceable. But still: an excellent option for the price.

Price & Availability

This is available at the usual K-Beauty resellers like YesStyle and Stylevana, but also on Amazon and Ebay. 50g will usually be between 10$/€ to 18$/€.

Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.

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