Review: Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Mist and Sarafit UV Essence Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
Most of you are by now very familiar with my HG sunscreen aren’t you? I preach it from the rooftops, it would seem, and it gratifies me that almost everyone I’ve suggested it to likes it as much as I do. The only complaint we all have is one big one – price.
Yes, the Shiseido Perfect UV sunscreen might be perfect, but it comes at a high price that some of us might find galling to spend on a product you will use lavishly, and often and that you just must replenish! I mean, what else would you use right?
So I decided I’d try some affordable sunscreen and tell you what you think. This was one of my experiments.
I couldn’t possibly try every brand in the market, so I reached out to some PR people to ask if they had anything they were willing to put under my pretty microscopic scrutiny having a minimum of SPF50 and PA++++ rating. Happily, some were quite willing to hang it out there and the Skin Aqua Sarafit UV was one of them.
There are 2 versions of the Skin Aqua Sarafit UV sunscreens – one is a UV essence (cream) and the other is a mist. Let me first deal with the mist, so I can get it over and done with. Ah yep, I am not a fan of the mist version and I will tell you why!
Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Mist SPF50+ PA++++ – RM42.30 / 50g
Let me first tell you that I don’t get mist sunscreens. Yes, I totally get the idea of convenience. No one likes to top up their sunscreen during the day when they’re outside, and it’s so convenient to just spray it on isn’t it? In theory anyway.
In practice, we need a lot of sunscreen to actually protect our skin (1 teaspoon is the rule of thumb). So if you spray on your sunscreen, how can you be sure that you are spraying on enough to properly protect your skin? You need to ensure a smooth even coverage (aerosol spray cans are notoriously hard to control for an even finish – if you’ve ever tried to spray paint anything, you’d understand) and sufficient product to actually protect your skin. Now, how many of us bother? We think just spraying it on does the job. No it does not.
Secondly, how much of the product actually goes on the skin and how much is blown away? If you’re outside or by the beach or pool (where I see these mist sunscreens most commonly pushed as being suitable for) it tends to be breezy. So, if you spray this, and a breeze comes along, most of the product is blown away by the wind. You THINK you get product on your skin – but in reality, you don’t get enough on. And then you wonder why you burn.
Thirdly, some like this one, suggest that to get around points 1 and 2 above, you spray the product into the palm of your hand and then apply to your skin. Well, let me just say that if you’re going to do that, why don’t you use a regular cream sunscreen instead? You don’t like the texture of the Sarafit UV Essence? Well, get another brand you might prefer! There’s no excuse, really.
So I say ditch the mist sunscreens, and I personally think they’re bollocks and just encouraging us to be lazy. Just slap on some proper creamy sunscreen and you’ll be done with it. Needless to say therefore, I’m not a fan of the Sarafit UV Mist and I would just bin this.
There’s no shortcut to skin protection from UV rays. If you want protection, do it properly and don’t be lazy. Sunscreen and sun protection is not a fashionable thing, it’s a health thing. You don’t put on sunscreen just because everyone says you should. You either believe in it and do it properly or you don’t, but you want people to believe you do and fall for gimmicks.
So, I didn’t talk a lot about this product because I have no faith in it at all. It goes on my skin feeling weird as all mist sunscreens do, with an oily feeling that I absolutely abhor. I will never tell anyone to get this but if you feel comfortable enough then here’s the ingredient list for the Sarafit UV Mist sunscreen.
Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Essence – RM40 for 50g
Now that I’m done ranting… *takes deep breath* here’s the other version of the sunscreen which is the UV Essence. Despite the name “Essence” which brings to mind a light gel-type texture, this is a cream, and one that I feel may feel a bit heavy if you have oily skin. I have drier skin and I do feel that the texture is moisturising enough, but it is a bit heavy. I attribute the heaviness to silicones.
But this one is a pretty decent product for the price. I mean it’s fairly cheap and it even goes on sale often so if you are the sort who runs through your sunscreen like water, and don’t want to pay too much then this might be something you might like.
The texture is a little creamy however, as you see above. It is easy to blend into the skin and I have observed a slight heavy feeling which dissipates once the product absorbs and dries on the skin. It isn’t oily or greasy and doesn’t turn me oily or greasy as the day wears on (I do have normal-dry skin however) but there is bit of a “dry-touch” texture to the skin that feels a little strange. It’s like you’re wearing a primer.
But despite that primer-feeling, it doesn’t make a good base for my makeup. So after experimenting for weeks, I now keep this as my weekend sunscreen. It does the job. When I’m out, it seems to protect my skin fairly well (I don’t feel like my face is burning) and because it comes in a portable, slim tube, it’s easy to tote around and reapply if that suits you. I’m very generous about this because it’s cheap and does a fairly decent job at its primary function – protecting skin from UV rays.
There is a slight floral scent that I don’t really notice, so I’m sure most people won’t either since experience tells me I seem to have a more sensitive nose than most of you 😛 But I like the texture of this one, it feels comfortable on my skin and it seems to work well enough to protect my skin from burning in the sun. If you have oilier skin you may find this a bit heavy so be warned.
Here is the ingredient list for the Sarafit UV Essence.
IN A NUTSHELL
These are both very affordable sunscreen and easily available at major pharmacies. I don’t personally think the Sarafit UV Mist sunscreen offers sufficient protection, and it has a very weird oily after feel that I dislike on my skin. I would ditch it. As for the Sarafit UV Essence, I like the texture which is hydrating, comfortable and isn’t oily or greasy. Skin feels like you’re wearing a primer, but it doesn’t seem to function very well as one. I’d use the UV Essence as a weekend sunscreen when you won’t be wearing a lot of makeup on your face, and want something portable and affordable that you can be liberal with using. If you have oily skin then you might find the creamy texture a bit rich or heavy in which case, you might consider another option in another range or brand. Don’t bother considering the mist.
PROS: Portable packaging, Very affordable, SPF50+ and PA++++ ratings are admirably high in a pharmacy brand product that makes it easy to be liberal about use without worrying about cost
CONS: UV Mist isn’t a practical formula or application method for sunscreen, UV Essence may feel too creamy or heavy for those with very oily skin
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: The UV Essence should do well for anyone with normal-dry skin that doesn’t mind the slightly creamy texture
Have you used either product? Do you like using mist sunscreens?
I’m afraid I went right to town there with my little rant LOL! 😀 But I’ve tried my share of mist/spray sunscreens and I’ve never come across one I like. But the cream version of this Sarafit UV sunscreen is pretty decent for the price. You can be generous with use and not feel it, so I’d keep this as my ‘leisure’ sunscreen. It still doesn’t replace my HG so the search continues! 😛
Paris B
Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Mist Price: RM42.30/50g and Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Essence Price: RM40/50g Availability: Most major pharmacies
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