Bioré UV Aqua Rich and Other Light Face Sunscreens

Bioré UV Aqua Rich and Other Light Face Sunscreens

Biore UV Aqua Rich is a lightweight facial moisturizer sunscreen with hyaluronic acid and SPF 50, from a line Kao launched in 2011. Here are the watery face sunscreens I would compare with it, the SPF I wear under makeup, and the cleansers that take it all off at night.

Kao says Bioré UV launched in 1996, and in 2011 it introduced the Aqua Rich series, which became the flagship of the line. The aim was a light texture with strong protection, which is a long way from the thick lotions many people grew up with. Biore UV Aqua Rich Lightweight Facial Moisturizer Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid SPF 50 is the lead here. The product page calls it non-comedogenic and oil free, with hyaluronic acid, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, and meant for sensitive skin as well as dry, combination and oily skin.

Next to it, Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen is a lightweight, water-resistant SPF 50 with a dewy finish, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 40 is a non-comedogenic liquid the brand calls a good makeup base. Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50 has a cooling feel. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica is an ultralight mineral SPF 50+ with zinc oxide. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench SPF 45 comes as a mini and a full size, both with a 30 percent hyaluronic acid complex, and the mini has a universal sheer tint. Ultra Violette Vibrant Screen SPF 50 is water resistant and works on face and body.

A quick test: put two fingers of sunscreen on your face and neck, wait two minutes, and see if your makeup still slides on.

Big numbers collage for Bioré UV Aqua Rich: six products from Bioré, Beauty of Joseon, ISDIN, Supergoop and Dermalogica, each set beside a large numeral
Bioré UV Aqua Rich

Light, watery face sunscreens

Sunscreens that sit well under makeup

If you wear makeup every day, your sunscreen is also your primer, so texture matters most. Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40 in Golden Hour is a bronze tinted sunscreen with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that primes for a radiant finish. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 is an invisible, weightless gel that doubles as a primer. Ultra Violette Sequin Supreme SPF 50 is a glow-boosting moisturizer and primer with squalane. DIOR Forever Skin Veil is a glowy hydrating primer with SPF 25 and hyaluronic acid. Youth To The People Youthscreen SPF 60 is a lightweight, no white cast cream. Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Control Sunscreen SPF 40 is an oil-free lightweight liquid that doubles as a primer. Saint Jane Beauty Sun Ritual is a mineral SPF 30 that blurs the look of pores, and KORA Organics Silky Sun Drops is an SPF 30 serum with ectoin.

How to use them: give sunscreen a couple of minutes to set before foundation, and pat rather than rub.

What I would skip: a glowy primer sunscreen on an oily T-zone in summer. Use Shiseido Urban Environment or another oil-control formula there.

SPF for under makeup

Melting it all off at night

Water-resistant sunscreen and makeup do not come off with a splash, and that is where the cleanser comes in. Dermalogica PreCleanse is a lightweight cleansing oil that melts waterproof makeup and SPF without clogging pores, says the brand. Dieux Ethereal is a concentrated cleansing oil that dissolves waterproof makeup and sunscreen and leaves no residue. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil emulsifies to rinse away dirt, sebum and impurities. Tatcha The Camellia Oil 2-in-1 is a remover and cleanser that melts waterproof makeup and sunscreen. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil is a transforming oil cleanser that melts waterproof makeup, and innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Balm is a double cleansing balm that removes 99 percent of waterproof makeup and sunscreen, per the brand. Elemis Pro-Collagen Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm is a three-in-one balm, and MERIT Great Skin Double Cleanse is a two-in-one remover and cleanser with gentle exfoliation from PHA.

A pairing tip: massage the oil or balm on dry skin for a full minute before you add water, then follow with a gentle cleanser.

What I would skip: a scrubbing wash right after a balm if your skin is already dry. The oil step has done the work, and a gentle cleanser is enough.

Cleansers that take SPF off

Choosing a daily face SPF

To choose a daily face sunscreen, start with texture, because you will only wear what you like. Watery lotions like Bioré UV Aqua Rich and ISDIN Fusion Water Magic suit most skin types. Tinted or primer formulas work when you wear makeup, and mineral ones like ISDIN Eryfotona suit skin that likes zinc oxide. Read the label for SPF, broad spectrum and water resistance, and reapply when you are outside for long. Take it off at night with an oil or balm. The best face sunscreen is the one you actually put on every morning, so pick a texture you would be happy to wear tomorrow.