2021: Sunscreens in Review

 With all the hullabaloo about sunscreens in general, and K-beauty sunscreens in particular, I thought it's a good time to look back on the sunscreens I've been using and which ones I'd recommend right now.

Best for daily use would be Nivea's Super Water Gel from Japan. I've reviewed this before and this is still my favorite sunscreen for daily use (even though I don't have one on hand right now). I tried the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel, 2019 formulation (and failed to review because I lost the tube too early :P), but I prefer this more since I don't need a mirror to apply and reapply. The latter sunscreen is also a good runner up if you can't find Nivea locally, but you can find it of shopee (but be sure to find a good reseller).

Best for swimming/sports/heavy use would be Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion. I used the one for sensitive skin (light blue bottle). This is part of the WetForce line and really sticks to the skin. Again, I can't do a full review because I lost the tube... again. Honestly, I didn't like how this looked and felt but this really stuck to my skin as a thick, opaque white film. It actually clung more than some of the old sports sunscreens I've tried. With repeated application every 3 to 4 hours, I had no burning/darkening even at a full day at the beach. If ever beach things are a thing again, this would be my bet.

Best local sunscreen would be Belo SunExpert BODY SPF 60. This is expensive if you really use it daily, but it's the best local sunscreen I've tried. And I've actually used this for both face and body without any problems. Slightly sticky but good enough for daily use. While I haven't done a full review, I have finished a tube of this recently.

I've been trying daily body sunscreens, and I've posted regarding Biore and Nivea's offering. I'd use both, with a preference for Biore right now, but I don't have one I'd solidly recommend to be both cheap and effective for summer. I sometimes use the Belo Body sunblock on hotter days but it's not sustainable for me to use it daily as a sunscreen for its price.

Anyway, I'm actually trying one sunscreen right now, but I'm not too fond of it so I'm opening my first K-beauty sunscreen soon. Still, I've been quite guilty of not using sunscreen as often as I should, so my next real sunscreen post should be in a while.

Suncare 2020

 I seem to have misplaced my Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel this past month, so this picture isn't complete but this is what I've been using aside from that.

1. Belo Whitening Sunscreen - does the job well enough but I need to blend this in so I need a mirror to apply. Also do not use near the eye area.

2. Belo Body Shield SPF 60 - not quite beach level but really good for sunny days. It' expensive to use daily so this has been around for a while.

3. Biore UV Body Care Serum - Extra Moist - Really have been enjoying this as an everyday lotion (Even more than Nivea since its a good bit easier to spread). Do not use while out in the sun for long periods of time.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway

20% off a Php 480 sunscreen? I'm sold! So I bought the Petal Velvet Sunaway without thorough research.

I didn't look when I leaped, and this is where it got me.

Sunplay Super Block SPF 50+ PA++++

Cray Cheap (for today's prices) and Cray Protective, that's two things Sunplay's Super Block does for me!

However, this is not a perfect product by any means.

Nivea Extra White Serum

Can I just say how happy I am that Nivea finally decided to give the UVA rating of their Extra White Serum!!

The pink one.

Belo Sunexpert Tinted Sunscreen

I have been using this product on and off for the past 6 months, granted more off than not. Last month, I saw it exploding across youtube as a possible foundation... and since it IS tinted, then you can probably use it as a foundation with sheer coverage (idk why that was even a question).

However, can you really use it as a sunscreen (as its name so blatantly states)?

Nivea Sun Protect & White Whitening Sun Protection Face Cream

I'm sorry, I tried my best to like you but I really can't.

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me, maybe we're just not meant to be.

Massive Sun Protection Post

Since it's summer, it's only right to post a lot about sun related products and reminders. This is one of the latter: Guys, regarding sunscreen, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends 3 things:

1. SPF 30 or higher
2. Broad spectrum
3. Water resistant

But why and what else?

FYI, you can just end here (check out the beautiful infographic by informationisbeautiful).

Sun 2017

I know this doesn't seem very relevant now since Summer has come and gone... but sun protection is always relevant, especially in tropical climes. I also know I'm awfully inconsistent, as usual, but I have been a good deal better at keeping myself protected.

This year, I have been using this 3 products to keep me safe from the sun.

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum

During my previous posts, I complained about the old Nivea Body Milk but said that I was using the Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum as part of my summertime sun-sparers.

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum

Bought during the great Nivea sale, did I regret this purchase?

Sunplay Skin Aqua Acne Clear Milk

As shown in my previous pre-sun care routine, I've been using Sunplay Skin Aqua Acne Clear Milk for my face this summer. The picture below was its original packaging and I'm not sure how much it costs now, but I remember it being quite cheap.

This bottle contains 25 g of product that promises SPF 50+ and PA ++. I've been using it for a while and I haven't run out yet. The milk itself is white and watery, but doesn't leave a whitish cast. The scent isn't remarkable and it dries quickly without being sticky. It's marketed towards those with acne prone skin, and while I haven't seen a definite improvement because this product, it hasn't worsened at all (no clogged pores for me!). However, from what I can read on the back, this product also contains vitamin C and E, so those who are sensitive to vitamin E may decide to steer clear.

I wouldn't recommend using this on the eyes. While I do this since I don't have a dedicated eye cream with SPF right now (as I stated before), it is a bit irritating used alone.

Summertime: Sunsavers 2015

Before summer ends and the rainy season officially begins, here's a quick look at the products I've been using.

(L-R) Nivea UV Whitening Serum, OraLabs Lip Naturals Lip Balm, Sunplay Skin Aqua and Neutragena UltraSheer Sunblock

Nivea UV Whitening Serum: used on the body for "regular days" when I'm sure I don't go out in the sun. Review to be done in the future.

OraLabs Lip Naturals Lip Balm: used on the lips

Sunplay Skin Aqua: used on my face. I don't have a dedicated eye cream with sun protection so this also ends up over a non-retinol eye cream. (Also, I just realized that I didn't review this, so review in the future!).

Neutrogena UltraSheer Sunblock: used on the body for days with known sun exposure. I'd use this everyday, but it's too costly to do so for me.  While I probably won't review it anymore (because I didn't review this either, apparently), this was a hoarded item that I'm considering stopping just to try newer (and less expensive) body blocks.

Use sun protection everyday, even when it's cloudy. However, honestly, I try but I usually end up skipping the body blocks during rainy season...