The content in this blog post is based on authentic and genuine personal experience and it is written with full honesty. The items mentioned in this blog post are sponsored and this review is not monetarily compensated. As usual, all of my reviews, verdicts and opinions are truthful and will not be influenced by the sponsors/collaborators.
This blog post will start with a product and brand introduction with a first-look review, then it will end with the final verdict.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen, a.k.a sun cream (the term sunblock is discouraged), is a product that can be applied to the skin to absorb or reflect some of the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays/radiations with its photoprotective capabilities. It is used to mainly protect skin from sunburns and skin cancer(s). It comes in different forms and works well with complementing items such as sun hats, UV protectant jackets, etc.
Understand the health and environmental impacts of safe sunscreen agents, ingredient toxicity, history, and benefits of the sunscreen here.
Getting the right sunscreen is indeed important and with the latest discoveries and innovations, sunscreen products these days are now more than just protecting our skin from UV rays. Multi-functional sunscreens are one of the largest market in South Korea and we have got some of the popular Korean sunscreens here to help you discover which is the best for you.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
50ml  |  Moisturizing Cream Formula
SPF 50+ PA++++
This moist cream formula sunscreen allows for fresh absorption without pilling or creating a white cast. It has grain fermenting lysate ingredients which help nourish the skin’s natural strength whilst protecting the skin from prolonged UV radiation exposure, convenient for all year round usage and minimizing unnecessary ingredients.
Key features:Â
- Lightweight cream formula
- Rice extract 30% + Grain probiotics complex
- SPF 50 is certified by 2 separate labs in Korea and Spain.
sunsc, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone sunsc, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol sunsc, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate emo, Caprylyl Methicone emo, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone sunsc, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Extract emo, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aox|so, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract exf, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract h, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract emo, Panax Ginseng Root Extract aox|emo, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aox|so, Monascus/Rice Ferment aox, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Behenyl Alcohol emo|vc, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate vc, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate emu, Decyl Glucoside surf, Tromethamine buff, Carbomer vc 0 1, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer vc, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate emu|surf, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Xanthan Gum vc, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment FiltrateHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Below are the ingredients listed as a sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate – This is a readily biodegradable ingredient and has no adverse effects on the environment. However, this ingredient has not been tested on corals yet. It has been detected in coastal waters though. So, for this moment, we are assuming that it is not harmful nor safe to the coral reefs. It is also approved by European regulations.
Ethylhexyl Triazone – It has the highest photo-stable UVB filters absorption at the moment. It is approved by European regulations.
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol – A hybrid sunscreen that is somewhere between physical and chemical. It gives broad-spectrum coverage and it is highly photo-stable. It is approved by European regulations.
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone – A very oil-soluble chemical sunscreen agent with high SPF values and protects UVB + UVA II (not UVA I). It is approved by European regulations.Â
Review
Instead of being just a regular sunscreen, Beauty of Joseon decided to incorporate a lot of goodness into it. Based on the ingredient list, we know that this is a chemical sunscreen. We can also see Niacinamide, Rice Germ Extract, Camellia Sinses Leaf Extract, Soybean Ferment Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, and more. These antioxidant-rich ingredients allow your skin to feel moisturized and youthful while the sunscreen filters protect it from UV rays. There isn’t any fragrance or alcohol listed as well!
This sunscreen is almost like lotion to me because the consistency is not exactly cream but slightly thicker than regular lotion. It doesn’t smell like sunscreen too. It smelled like lotion with a pleasant grainy smell, and it settles on the skin like lotion too. It takes little to no time to be absorbed into the skin and dries down nicely. The smell and the texture is really on par with the branding, which, to me, feels minimalistically luxurious. Aside from the luxurious feel that I love, it also does not create any white cast (very important). After wearing it for long hours, it does give me some glowiness rather than oiliness.Â
Etude Sunprise Mild Airy Finish
55ml  |  Non-sticky/turbidy Milk
SPF 50+ PA+++
This is an anti-greasy and anti-sticky sunscreen that gives smooth application without turbidity while protecting the skin from UV rays. With 100% mineral filters, it is sensitive skin-friendly.
Key features:Â
- No White Cast – sebum free, non-stickiness
- Mild and safe – 100% mineral-based mild ingredients: Carex humillis root extract, aloe vera, and portulaca oleracea extract protect the fragile skin to become healthy.Â
- No turbidy: Anti-greasy & sticky for smooth application while protecting UV without turbidy. 100% Mineral Filter: Softly applied on sensitive skin 55ml / 1.85 fl. oz. A non-sticky & no turbidy UV milk that provides long-lasting UV protection with 100% mineral based mild ingredients for sensitive skin.
sunsc 0 1, Alcohol 
amic|solv|vc, Dipropylene Glycol solv, Dicaprylyl Ether emo|solv, Titanium Dioxide (Nano) sunsc|col, PEG-10 Dimethicone emu, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer vc, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Methicone emo, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Aluminum Hydroxide emo|h|vc, Fragrance/Parfum perf, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Octyldodecanol emo|perf, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2–3, Dimethicone emo 0 1, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer vc, Glyceryl Caprylate pres, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate emu, Propanediol solv|h, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Microcrystalline Cellulose vc, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil solv, Cellulose Gum vc 0 0, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil emo, Phenoxyethanol pres, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract so, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice so|h, Portulaca Oleracea Extract so|aox, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emo 0 0, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables so|sii|emo, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Citric Acid buff, Potassium Sorbate pres, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Sodium Benzoate pres, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract so|h, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid h, Carex Humillis Root Extract, Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract aox|sbBelow are the ingredients listed as sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Zinc Oxide (Nano) and Titanium Dioxide (Nano)
Read: Why does the particle size matter?
Review
Firstly, this is a physical sunscreen. Based on the ingredient list, Etude uses nano-particles of zinc oxide and titanium oxide. This means that you should shake the bottle before use! (But it also means you should be aware of the particle size if you are about to visit a beach/ocean with it!)
While there are alcohol and fragrance in this product, using physical sunscreen filters like zinc oxide and titanium oxide is meant to be anti-irritating. It’s a little bit conflicting but the product itself actually also has a lot of soothing ingredients such as CICA Extract, Mistletoe Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, and Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Prickly Pear Extract. It also has quite a handful of preservative and viscosity-controlling agents. They are not entirely bad but it depends on both (a.) how you see it, and/or (b) how your skin reacts to these ingredients. However, like I had mentioned earlier, you should be mindful if you are using this sunscreen on the beach or in the ocean.
The content is very predictably white due to the presence of titanium dioxide. It smells like (light) sunscreen, alcohol, and some flowery scent. The texture is watery-light and it can be easily spread across. While the physical sunscreen agents can cause a white cast, because Etude is using nano-particles instead, the white cast quickly dissipates. This means that the white cast is just temporary and will be gone in a quick while. The finishing is okay too, noting that the alcohol helps to dry the sunscreen down quicker.Â
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
120ml  |  Oily or Complex Skin Type
SPF 50+ PA++++
This is a sunscreen with a moist and transparent application that eliminates white turbidity, provides moisturizing features, and does not cause skin irritation (hypoallergenic).
Key features:Â
- Long-lasting moisture gentle sunscreen
- Oil moisture balance
- Anti-aging &Â Skin-soothing
- Skin barrier strengthening
- Contains astaxanthin, centella asiatica extract, fig fruit extract, and ceramide.
- 8 layer hyaluronic acid with different molecule sizes
cci|sb|aacne|h, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine sunsc, Cyclopentasiloxane emo|solv, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol sunsc, Polysilicone-15 sunsc, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate sunsc, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract aox, Ceramide NP sii, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Portulaca Oleracea Extract so|aox, Houttuynia Cordata Extract aox|so, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil aox|emo|perf 0 0–2, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Ceteth-10 emu|surf, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Decyl Glucoside surf, Propanediol solv|h, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Astaxanthin aox, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer sii|aox|h, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid h, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer vc, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate h, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate h, Adenosine cci, Xanthan Gum vc, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone emu|surf, Tromethamine buff, Carbomer vc 0 1, Propylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 0, Ethylhexylglycerin presBelow are the ingredients listed as a sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Ethylhexyl Salicylate – A UVB sunscreen filter that is always used to combine with other sunscreen agents (solid UV filters) in order to solubilize them. It is approved by European regulations.
Homosalate – This is an oil-soluble chemical sunscreen agent that is great at dissolving other solubilize powder sunscreen agents that are hard to solubilize. It is approved by European regulations.
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine – This is a broad-spectrum chemical sunscreen agent that is very photostable and it hardly deteriorates when expose to UV light, may also be the best sunscreen agent as of today. It is great for stabilizing other less stable sunscreen agents. It is approved by European regulations.
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol – A hybrid sunscreen that is somewhere between physical and chemical. It gives broad-spectrum coverage and it is highly photo-stable. It is approved by European regulations.
Polysilicone-15 – This is a silicone-based chemical sunscreen agent that can stabilize unstable UVA (like Avobenzone and Ensulizole). It is approved by European regulations.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate – This is a readily biodegradable ingredient and has no adverse effects on the environment. However, this ingredient has not been tested on corals yet. It has been detected in coastal waters though. So, for this moment, we are assuming that it is not harmful nor safe to the coral reefs. It is also approved by European regulations.
Review
I had talked about this sunscreen before and I honestly still like it a lot. It can be easily spread across the skin and leaves no white casts at all. Though, I don’t mind reintroducing this sunscreen with a different mindset now.
This is a chemical sunscreen that includes a lot of sensitive skin-friendly ingredients. You have Astaxanthin and Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract for skin elasticity care. Then, you have CICA extract and Fig Fruit Extract for soothing care. You also have Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, and Hydrogenated Lecithin that are great for the skin barrier, along with Adenosine for wrinkle-care. The best part? It has EIGHT (8) types of Hyaluronic Acid, namely: Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, and Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate. It does not have fragrance or alcohol!
It smells a bit of sunscreen but is not unpleasant at all. As most of the ingredients seem to have no scents, there isn’t much to expect from the smell of this sunscreen. It has a very watery-lotion-like texture that is superbly easy to spread across the face. I have been using this for quite a while and while my skin does have a layer of sebum at the end of the day, it’s not greasy at all! It’s just a layer of glow and my skin feels like velvet when rubbing my hands across my face.Â
Jumiso Waterfull Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen
50ml  |  Water-based
SPF 50+ PA++++
A hybrid water-based sunscreen that can block UV rays for all skin types and it is absorbed softly with moisturizing features.Â
Key features:Â
- Lightweight sunscreen
- Fast absorbing
- No white cast & non-greasy
- Essential oil-free
- Uni-Fine tech – allows smooth and even application; light textured UV protection
sunsc, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine sunsc, Ethylhexyl Triazone sunsc, Nylon-12 vc, Polysilicone-15 sunsc, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid sunsc, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate emu, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate emu|surf, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate vc, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Silica vc, Tromethamine buff, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Aluminum Hydroxide emo|h|vc, Hydroxyacetophenone aox, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2–3, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate vc, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 vc, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Ethylhe-xylglycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Behenyl Alcohol emo|vc, Disodium EDTA chel, T-Butyl Alcohol perf|solvBelow are the ingredients listed as sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysilicone-15, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
Review
I had reviewed some of their Waterfull Hyaluronic items before but this is the first time I try their sunscreen so I was quite excited. This is a chemical sunscreen that somehow has titanium dioxide as a colorant (it is also a physical sunscreen agent). I will leave the thinking to you if you want to use it on the beach or in the ocean (reef-safe issues).Â
Compared to Isntree’s, I can only count 3 types of hyaluronic acids. It also has niacinamide, hydroxy acetophenone (antioxidant), and aluminum hydroxide. It does have quite a handful of viscosity controlling, emollient, and emulsifying ingredients. Take note that it has alcohol in it, namely T-Butyl, and Behenyl. However, these two are mainly acting as solvents instead.
As there are no fragrances or ingredients with an obvious smell, this product just smells like sunscreen but with a lighter scent and slightly more bitter smell than Isntree’s. The texture is also watery-lotion-like and it dries down a lot quicker than the previous sunscreens.Â
Mary & May CICA Soothing Sun Cream
120ml  |  Moisturizing Cream Formula
SPF 50+ PA++++
This is an all-EWG-green-graded sunscreen with fermented CICA complex at 10,000ppm . It gives a light finishing.
Key features:Â
- Moisturizing Whitening & Anti-aging
- Cruelty-Free
- Ingredients that cause the bleaching of coral reefs are not included
- Vegan product
sunsc 0 1, Cyclohexasiloxane emo|solv, Butyloctyl Salicylate solv, Propanediol solv|h, Propylheptyl Caprylate emo, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane emo|solv, Caprylyl Methicone emo, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone solv, Disteardimonium Hectorite vc, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone surf, Fragrance perf, Glyceryl Caprylate pres, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment , Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract so|aox|h, Propolis Extract, Asiaticoside aox|perf, Madecassoside aox|so, Madecassic Acid , Asiatic Acid Below are the ingredients listed as sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Zinc Oxide – A physical broad-spectrum sunscreen that is highly stable and non-irritating. It can be used as a skin protectant and anti-irritant. Due to its color, it could leave a white cast on the user’s skin.
Review
I always have a good impression of Mary & May and this sunscreen doesn’t disappoint too! It is a physical sunscreen with just zinc oxide. This means that, with the absence of titanium0 dioxide, it would only create a smaller amount of white cast (or none). This product has fewer ingredients than Etude, Isntree, and Jumiso, which can be good as it can be very suitable for people with sensitive skin, albeit there are two types of perfuming: fragrance and Asiaticoside.Â
There is quite an amount of goodies in this sunscreen too. You have antioxidants/soothing ingredients like Tocopherol, CICA extract, CICA leaf extract, Asiaticoside, and Madcassoside. I can also see Sodium Hyaluronate in it. There are more solvents in it than viscosity-controlling ingredients and emollients combined.
You know the soothing smell when the facial specialist put their expensive and luxurious on you? This sunscreen smells almost just like one! It is honestly a pleasant smell with a hint of that sunscreen scent but it is never unpleasant. I love that it really has no white cast at all and it settles onto the skin quite quickly. There isn’t any sticky feeling as well. It also doesn’t feel sticky or oily at all!
TOBOCO Cotton Soft Sun Stick
120ml  |  Matte Sunstick
SPF 50+ PA++++
This is a light blue sun stick with a primer function that fills irregularities of the skin, holds skin oil, produce silky and soft skin, and protect the skin from UV rays.
Key features:Â
- Soft matte finish
- Portable for easy storage
- Cotton Extract – moisturize and protect skin from external stimuli
Light blue matte sun stick for soft and silky skin. - Hub AC Complex – Four herbal medicines with excellent anti-inflammatory effects and soothes the skin.
- Anti Sebum P – Evening primrose, ginseng root, pine needles, and ginseng root extract – restore the skin’s oil-moisture balance, and maintain excess sebum and pore elasticity.
sunsc, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid sunsc, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate emu, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Tromethamine buff, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate sunsc, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Polysilicone-15 sunsc, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract aox, Rheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract so|aox|amic|h, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract so|aacne, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract h, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil 2 3, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate vc, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine sunsc, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate emu|surf, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate emo|emu, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate surf|emu, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Fragrance perfBelow are the ingredients listed as a sunscreen by the Incidecoder website:
Ethylhexyl Triazone – It has the highest photo-stable UVB filter absorption at the moment. It is approved by European regulations.
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid – A water-soluble UVA sunscreen agent that is L’Oreal-group exclusive. It is approved by European regulations.
Review
Amongst all the sunscreens here, this is the most interesting one to me. It looks like a bar of soap and it smells like a bar of soap, but it is actually a sunscreen. Such a peculiar thing!
This chemical sunscreen has quite a large range of ingredient lists. It has Niacinamide, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract as well as Sodium Hyaluronate. It also has antioxidants like Sophora Flavescens Root Extract and Tocopherol.  Apparently, the Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract acts as a lot of things, such as Antioxidant, Soothing, Antomicrobial, and Moisturizer. This sunscreen does have fragrance!
This sunscreen, it really gets me thinking a lot. First of all, when your skin looks oily, rubbing this across your face will help to mattify your skin. However, it does that by leaving a layer on your skin. It also smells and looks extremely like a bar of bar soap. The packaging and its texture are so different from what I have experienced before.Â
Also, I was thinking about hygiene issues. Although it has an antimicrobial ingredient, I still want to be skeptical and separate it from indoor-use and outdoor-use (that is, if I have two of these). I wouldn’t want to use it outdoors and then use it indoors too, especially with Ms. Rona Bo Nana around and now I’m a clean freak.
It did work tho! Just that I think after a while, it would still turn back to the same oiliness.Â
Verdict
Sunscreen is not a one-size-fits-all. I think it’s important to choose one that fits you the most with the right coverage and the best skincare functionality. Comparing all the products, below is a list of what these sunscreens have in common:
Broad-spectrum: Yes to all
Reef-safe (free from octinoxate & oxybenzone): Yes to all
(except Etude Sunprise Mild Airy Finish is using nano-particles of the physical sunscreen agents.)
SPA: 50+ for all
PA +++: Etude Sunprise Mild Airy Finish
PA ++++: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, Jumiso Waterfull Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen, Mary & May CICA Soothing Sun Cream, and Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick.
Finishing: Not sticky, not tacky, not draggy.
Texture and Oil Absoption
To be fair, all of the sunscreen except for the stick one has a very similar texture and the difference is not that significant. One can be more watery while the other can be more creamier. The time taken to absorb and settle aren’t too far off from each other as well.
The three photos below are from 10:43am, 12:52pm, and 8:21pm with the same sorting arrangement as the photo above.
I have used oil absorbent films from Clean & Clear and oil absorbent papers from Watson’s in different colors. This help to see the oil absorption better in different lighting.
You can tell that some of the sunscreen has a more drastic result compared to the others. Etude has the most oiliest sunscreen whilst Tocobo is just because the application area is large, still it can be oily as well. Joseon is best for all skin type, especially when we take the ingredient list into consideration. Isntree is best for combination skin but more to the drying side. Jumiso and Mary & May are suitable for combination skin but more to the oily side. Here are the summary comparison amongst all the six sunscreens:
Name | Type | SPF/PA | Texture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics | Chemical | SPF 50+ PA++++ | Moist. Cream | All Skin Type |
Etude Sunprise Mild Airy Finish | Physical | SPF 50+ PA+++ | Non-sticky Milk | Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin (Mineral Sunscreen) |
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel | Chemical | SPF 50+ PA++++ | Water-based | Combination, Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin |
Jumiso Waterfull Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen | Chemical (One Physical filter) | SPF 50+ PA++++ | Water-based | Combination, Oily Skin |
Mary & May CICA Soothing Sun Cream | Physical | SPF 50+ PA++++ | Moist. Cream | Combination, Oily Skin (Mineral Sunscreen), Sensitive Skin |
Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick | Chemical | SPF 50+ PA++++ | Matte Stick | Combination, Oily Skin |
As you’ve learned that physical/mineral sunscreens can create a white cast, albeit the two options here created little white cast, it is still interesting to see that Etude’s sunscreen creates a whiter cast than Mary & May. Even though Etude uses nano-particles in their sunscreen filters, the difference between these two is the existence of titanium dioxide in Etude’s sunscreen. This ingredient is also a regular white colorant of natural soaps to create white color or lighter color with its whiteness.
If you have a darker skin tone, it is best to choose a sunscreen that doesn’t create any white casts as it would make your overall skin tone looks very imbalanced. So, that also means avoiding most of the physical/mineral sunscreens, especially those that have titanium dioxide.
Another thing about physical/mineral sunscreen is that they are physical filters, which means they get washed away very easily. So, if you get into the water a lot, it is best to use chemical sunscreens that will be absorbed into your skin, absorbs the UV ray, turn the rays into heat, and then release them from the body.
To conclude this review, my best choice of sunscreen is Beauty of Joseon Relief: Rice and Probiotics. The second bests are Mary & May CICA Soothing Sun Cream and Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel.
The reason for picking these three sunscreens is because of how my skin reacted to them with a large additional bonus point for the skin boosters inside of them. The others are great on their own too, I just prefer to use the above three for my face. I hope this review gives you a great perspective on how to pick the right sunscreen for you.
