Missha Missha Aqua Sun Cream
73/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Missha Aqua Sun Cream is a hybrid chemical sunscreen blending homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate with modern filters like bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine plus avobenzone. It dries to a matte finish with no visible white cast and a lightweight feel, though it can sting somewhat. Pore-clogging risk is low and it works excellently as a makeup base. Excellent protection and a score of 72.8/100 make it a comfortable daily sunscreen, especially under makeup.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
83
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +11.2 Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate at #10, UV filter
- +12.8 Octocrylene at #11, UV filter
- β22.8 UVB coverage saturated
- β4.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #11, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
31
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β7 Octocrylene at #11, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #11, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β 8 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 9 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer)
- β 1 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #3
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #3), fast, even canvas
- β 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- 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
- +6 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (39)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
7 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
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)
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Amiloxate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 11.2 UV protection
-
11 Octocrylene
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12.8 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
14 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
18 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
pH adjuster
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
22 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Botanical extract
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 3 film former
-
Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
Does Missha Aqua Sun Cream work under makeup?
Yes, very well. It rates excellent as a makeup base, with a matte finish, no visible white cast and a lightweight feel.
Is the Missha Missha Aqua Sun Cream mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen with a hybrid filter system, blending homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate with modern filters and avobenzone.
Is it good for oily skin?
It is generally suitable for oily skin. The matte finish controls shine, the feel is lightweight, and pore-clogging risk is low, though it can sting somewhat.