Biore Uv Aqua Rich Watery Essence Spf 50+ Pa++++ (2018 Formula)
88/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ (2018 formula) is a hybrid watery essence built on well-regarded modern chemical filters like Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate and Ethylhexyl Triazone. It wears with a balanced finish, feels very lightweight, keeps white cast low, and works excellently under makeup. It is low on pore-clogging ingredients and does not commonly sting. With a high score of 87.8/100 and excellent protection, it is one of the standout daily sunscreens in the catalog.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
95
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +34.2 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +20.9)
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #9, UV filter
- β20.7 UVB coverage saturated
- β3.6 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
π
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, Isoceteth-20)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #7, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 4.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #28, hyaluronic family
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 4 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer)
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 2 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (35)
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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Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus)
- β 34.2 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 17.6 UV protection
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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12 Xylitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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20 Agar
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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21 Isoceteth-20
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 wax water lock
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Supporting ingredient
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pH adjuster
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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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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35 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a hybrid built on well-regarded modern chemical filters in a watery essence texture. That gives it a very light, fluid feel.
Does the Biore Uv Aqua Rich Watery Essence Spf 50+ Pa++++ (2018 Formula) work under makeup and leave a white cast?
It works excellently under makeup and keeps white cast low, so it layers cleanly under foundation. It wears with a balanced, lightweight finish.
Is the Biore Uv Aqua Rich Watery Essence Spf 50+ Pa++++ (2018 Formula) any good?
It scores a high 87.8/100 with excellent protection, making it one of the standout daily sunscreens in the catalog. It is low on pore-clogging ingredients and does not commonly sting.