Biore Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight SPF 50+ PA++++
79/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Biore Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight SPF 50+ PA++++ is a chemical (hybrid filter) sunscreen pairing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and titanium dioxide with modern filters Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S. It wears lightweight with a matte finish and little to no white cast, is low pore-clogging and good under makeup, though it can sting somewhat near the eyes. Protection is excellent. At 78.8/100 it is a comfortable, lightweight daily option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Excellent
94
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #6, UV filter
- +28.8 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +17.6)
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- β36.5 UVB coverage saturated
- β10.8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
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Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
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White cast
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β35 Titanium Dioxide at #5
- +2.4 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
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Eye sting
Medium
53
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
- β8 Fragrance
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Heavy feel
Low
90
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Titanium Dioxide at #5
- +6.4 Volatile alcohol at #2, evaporating texture
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Fungal acne
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #8, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Titanium Dioxide at #5, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #30, hyaluronic family
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 6 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates Crosspolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 6 High mineral load at #5 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (34)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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2 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 high up speeds filter migration
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- β 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills β 6 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
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7 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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9 Mica
Colorant or pigment
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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14 Cellulose
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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15 Agar
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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Supporting ingredient
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient
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21 Maltose
Supporting ingredient
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22 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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23 Tin Oxide
Colorant or pigment
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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pH adjuster
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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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33 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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34 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does Biore Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight SPF 50+ leave a white cast?
No, it is generally low on white cast. It dries to a matte finish with little to no ghosting.
Is Biore Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight mineral or chemical?
It is chemical, pairing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and titanium dioxide with modern filters Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S.
Is Biore Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight SPF 50+ good for oily skin?
It is a reasonable fit. The matte finish, lightweight feel and low pore-clogging profile suit oily skin, and it works under makeup. It can sting somewhat near the eyes. It scores 78.8/100 with excellent protection.