June 11, 2012

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ Review & Swatches

You probably already know I’m a big supporter and fan of Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Mousse so when Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA+++ released in Japan this Spring I quickly snatched it up as I knew without a doubt I’d love it.

What I didn’t know was HOW much I’d love it.

You NEED this.

’nuff said.

How terribly sad that the US hasn’t quite gotten their act together creating fast absorbing, lightweight, makeup friendly SPF as of yet. All our technology and we still can’t create an SPF that doesn’t feel like an oily, greasy mask!

The Japanese however, know how to create incredible SPFs with great formulas.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 contains strong sun protection in a water base formula that absorbs easily into the skin. The formula is that of a creamy gel of sorts. Upon contact with skin it turns into a watery texture that absorbs easily without leaving behind a greasy and/or oily feel! I liken it to an emulsion of sorts as it has that smooth, hydrating texture of an essence with a hydrating, lightweight feel. It’s a cup of water for your skin really as that’s exactly how it feels as you apply, just like water. It doesn’t leave behind a white cast either, just absorbs quickly, easily, and flawlessly in a flash!

Hyaluronic acid helps skin to retain moisture and adds moisturizing benefits as it protects. This has a faint, fruity orange scent as well that’s quite pleasant and shouldn’t be a burden on even sensitive types.

To me it’s anything short of a miracle. An SPF 50 that’s incredibly lightweight and fast absorbing? Yes, a miracle for sure. You won’t even know you’re wearing sun protection at all! Seriously, this one is life changing. I highly suggest snatching it up or snatching two or three up. Considering we need a 1/4 tablespoon of SPF daily to protect our skin this is an easy, effective, and weightless way to get it. This is a chemical sunscreen that protects from UVB/UVA2 but not UVA1 rays, just be aware of this prior to purchase as you’ll want something stronger if you’re outside for longer periods of time, at the beach, etc…

LOVE this stuff.

I believe I paid around $9 for it. I had a friend in Japan pick me up five tubes as it was well worth stocking up on. My favorite E-bayer, AlphabeautyUK carries it for around $14 plus shipping. Honestly, it’s worth $40 bucks or more to me, it’s just that amazing.

Get it.

Now.

Tried it?

Love it?

Do share!

Why can’t Biore in the US jump on board and release it here in the US!?

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Dana

    Amen! I use the watery mousse water base one every day. Amazing.
    How do you think this one compares? Does it feel the same?

  • Connie

    Thanks for the reivew. I tested it at the store and find that it contains loads of alcohol as it smell and feel more like alcohol than cooling sensation. Not sure of the ingredients though as couldn’t read Japanese.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure connie! listed ingreds in the comments hope it helps!

  • Veronica

    Hi Muse!
    What are the differences between the essence and the mousse? Which one do you prefer? By the way I absolutely adore your reviews.
    Thank you!

    • the Muse

      hi veronica thanks so much, glad you enjoy the reviews here 🙂 the mousse is a whipped texture and the essence is a watery gel, that’s the only difference.

  • Grace

    Yay! I was hoping for a review on this, it seems to be an HG product for so many people!! Definitely picking this up when I’m in HK this aug 🙂

  • Abs

    I saw this and thought: Huh. I think I have this in my drawer somewhere…
    I went hunting around and found that mine is a little different. I have Biore UV “Perfect Milk”. It’s also SPF 50 and PA+++. Packaging looks pretty similar. Have you tried that one? Now I want to go pick up the Watery Essence one!

  • Annie

    I was looking for a new sunscreen. I read the review and bought it on eBay from your recommended seller. And here I was on a no shopping ban but my current sunscreen gives me a horrible white cast 🙁 now to wait for it in the mail yay thank u!!!

  • Libby

    I just picked up a few of the Rhoto-brand spfs but after reading your review, I feel like I need to start picking up some of the Biore ones too! I’ve always been guilty of not using spf even though I know I need it and have tons of it at home. I just hate how heavy it feels and I hate the smell of spf. I’m glad that the Japanese kind are lighter, both scent-wise and forumla-wise.

    Thanks for the review, Muse!

  • kimkats

    Hey Muse – what are the sunscreen ingredients? Is it physical or chemical block? I totally agree with you that we can’t make a decent sunscreen here!! I don’t get it – at all!

    Dumb question – is Biore a Japanese company?

    Gonna go scout alphabeautyuk on ebay now… 🙂

    • the Muse

      chemical sunscreen Kim. I don’t have the ingredients, the packaging is in Japanese sorry. yup, Biore is a sub brand of Kao, Kao is a Japanese brand 🙂

    • the Muse

      kim just did a little google here ya go:

      UV filters; zinc oxide, octinoxate, titanium dioxide

      Chamomilla Recutita, Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Agar, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Fragrance (Parfum).

      It protects against UVB/UVA2 but not UVA1 rays.

      • Haruka

        Not sure you got the ingredients from but it isn’t entirely correct. That is not what’s printed on the packaging labelling in Japanese. The UV filters are wrong and there is no “Chamomilla Recutita” in it.

  • Ania W

    I love Biore SPFs, now I’m using the pink one and It’s great but sometimes made my skin too dry. I must check this one:)

  • GAPeach

    This sounds wonderful! Do you happen to have an ingredient list in English? I unfortunately have very sensitive skin and have to research ingredients before trying any new product :(. Thank you so much for all that you do to keep us up to date on what is available all over the world!

    • the Muse

      sorry GAPeach I do not. They are in Japanese only. Aw my pleasure, so glad you enjoy beauty abroad posts!

    • Violet

      Here is English ingredient listing. Hope it helps someone!

      Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 8.01%
      Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate 2.00%

      Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Xylitol, Clyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Agar, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract

  • Rachel

    Just went to alpha beauty and purchased this immediately. I am tired of putting up with neutrogena, its feels like Ive applied a liquid chalk to me face.

    • the Muse

      be careful cj, you live in Florida, you might need something a bit stronger than this if you spend a ton of time outside! particularly since you’re so fair ;D

      • Cj

        Stronger as in like a higher SPF? The Allie was 50 and it worked great for me, same with the biore mousse

        • the Muse

          it protects from UVB/UVA2 but not UVA1 rays (those are the strongest). Florida is so damn sunny you def need bulletproof spf lol!

          • Cj

            Wow ok. Geez see without you I’d prolly burn to a crisp lol! Umm do you know if the Allie protects against uva1? Or am I gonna have to find a whole new SPF :X??

          • the Muse

            from my understanding allie covers all aspects ;-D

          • Cj

            Okay. Guess I won’t be able to try this one. The perils of being fair, le sigh.

  • plue

    I love this! Very lightweight and it’s cooling, just the perfect little sunscreen to combat this crazy heatwave!

  • ladymoonlight

    Hey Muse, I know you’re a big expert on sun protection and I value your opinions greatly (putting Biore on my wishlist right now). That’s why I’d like to ask you for recommendation of sun protection for the eye area? This area seems hugely neglected by cosmetics manufacturers in as far as SPF content is concerned and suffers greatly from sun exposure.

    • the Muse

      aw thanks ladymoonlight but I’m really not a big expert ;-D <3! sadly, I really don't have recs for this area as most eye creams I try with SPF are terribly heavy/greasy. I did recently review a concealer from Dermablend that has a good spf protection, you might want to check that out. Sadly, I'm still seeking a good SPF for my eyes too!

      • ladymoonlight

        Thanks a lot, IIm not sure if a concealer is good enough. I’ve just spotted Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30, I suspect this might be what I need. Gonna give it a go!

        • the Muse

          let me know if it works for you ladymoonlight curious minds!

  • en

    Hey! I was searching for this after I tried anessa sunscreen I am totally for asian sunscreens! so different…..but alphauk isnt selling anything anymore? or is it just me that i just see 6 products in the store? I already looked up at adam beauty and co and couldnt find it 🙁 can you please recommend me another place to get hands on this?

  • Irene

    Awww, I was really looking forward to buying this since the Biore Watery Mousse works miracles for me, but I guess this is another face sunscreen and not for the body as I first thought when I saw the product on eBay. The different shape of the tube tricked me! Do you have any recommendations for 50SPF body sunscreen? I’m extremely pale so I definitely need good protection, but I’m unsure of what to buy here in the US as I’ve heard sunscreens here are different (worse?) than in Europe.

  • Nguyen

    Do you have the ingredient list? I’m trying to avoid oxybenzone and I just wonder if this suncreen contain that?

  • Djessa

    hi muse, I’m looking for a great and effective sunscreen to consider as my HG. I’ve read your reviews just now, and I’m intrigue how you highly recommend this product and as for the others who commented on your blog. I’m confused though, i would want to know;
    1. if which is better, the MOUSSE or the ESSENCE?
    2. what is the comparison/ difference between the 2?
    2. and which one could HYDRATE/MOISTURIZE the skin (without making the skin dry in the long run.)?
    pls do answer these questions, it would be a big help for me… since im planning to ask my aunt to buy me one in Japan. thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉

  • couture lady

    Can you recommend a non greasy spf 50 PA+++ that is broad spectrum uva and uvb that I can wear to the beach? also for daily use~ Thanks!

  • Yvonne

    I bought this on your recommendation and took a pause from my regular sunscreen to try it out. I liked it a lot and did find that it disappears after applying it. It does feel a bit like a lightweight though and I wonder how effective it is for screening out the UVA’ s – my skin pigments very very easily. What I would recommend, if you get a chance to try it is Total Block by Fallene. I’ve been using the clear with spf65. It’s one of those under the radar products that dermatologists recommend ans suitable for the most light sensitive skins. Just make sure you rub it in very well – and best used before moisturiser. Here’s more information on it: http://www.totalblock.com/clear.html. I also did a MUAERS review on it too. I’ll finish off the Biore, but I think I’ll stick with TB for the long term. Thanks Muse.

  • Soleil

    Hi! Do you still use a primer after this or can this already act as primer to prolong your make-up?

  • kamikity

    This has been my favorite sunscreen for about 1 year now. I find it on Amazon Prime for about $11/tube. Well worth the money. Since I got this I tossed all my other sunscreen away.