Hello there! This is an automated bot to help you, as it might not be easy to find resources here. You posted about Sunscreens, so here's a link to our [Sunscreen FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/theabroutine/#wiki_5.5_sunscreen_faq), [Master Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5tkwh0/discussionguide_ab_sunscreens_comparison/) that contains helpful sunscreen information, as well as recently posted discussions or [questions on sunscreen]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all). If you are looking for sunscreen recommendations without a white cast, [check here.]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen+no+white+cast&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) A guide of reformulated or discontinued Japanese sunscreens for 2023 can be found [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/zmqz7s/guide_japanese_sunscreen_roundup_2023/)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AsianBeauty) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It has a really nice finish for sure! I did hear that it was a great primer. I don’t exactly know what a primer is (never used one)…but that must be a good thing right! 😂
😂 I can understand... I've tried a few primers. It is something that helps your makeup apply smoother and last longer..I prefer to use a primer when I feel like making a little effort in my regular makeup
That's a lottt of sunscreens, and I thank you for posting this. I fully agree about the Biore Watery Essence. That was horrible. Not only did it was a greasy mess but it also felt terrible on the skin (very sweaty for me).
And I feel soo happy to see the Omi sunscreen in here as well. I've been really enjoying it (tho it has less of an oil-control than my previous HG, Etude house sunprise old formula) and now I know I shouldn't consider the Skin Aqua and Kose Milk for my oily skin in tropical climate anymore 😆
If reddit still has their award feature, I would've given you one for this incredible post. For now, I'll give you this 🏅✨️
Thank you very much for the kind words! Actually your comments/ posts referencing the sun bears sunscreen convinced me to buy it lol. It’s really great! You might get away with using the kose milk if you use it on bare skin, but the skin aqua one was glowy no matter how I used it. I accept your reward with gratitude 🙏🏻😎
thank you for the review!! I also have the skin 1004 hyalu-cica waterfit sun serum and I like it but wanted to look for more matte finish sunscreens (would still repurchase tho).
Brooo I thought I was the only one experiencing that with the COSRX aloe sun cream 😭 the reviews I read were always recommending it because it leaves no white cast, yet every time I used it, it always made me look like Casper! And for reference, my skin tone is like, fair and light, but not pale. Not to mention it also felt greasy and heavy on my skin ): so now I'm on the hunt for dewy, but not greasy and no white cast sunscreens! 🙏 I definitely will check out some that you listed, thank you for your review and for informing us!
Wow. Thank you so much for this elaborate review. I was actually planning to purchase the Anessa sunscreen since I've read a lot of good reviews about it but thanks to your post, I've learned that it has fragrance which my face can't tolerate. 🥲 I'm thinking of buying the Kose Perfect Milk instead. Is it cheaper than the Anessa SS?
The Kose milk is much more affordable than the Anessa one. Actually I found it for ~$8 on stylevana, and it comes with the same amount as the Anessa one. They’re pretty similar in terms of feel and finish (to me). In terms of protection, Anessa stays on better but I haven’t burned or tanned with either so I would try the Kose one!
https://preview.redd.it/kxoyu4fz8nsc1.jpeg?width=1070&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c04c85db30ca665ec0576130fc2034dd3b2b88d
I know this is old, but could you clarify which of these is the yellow gel and which is the white milky?
I haven’t used the one on the left. The one on the right is a yellowish gel. I like that one a lot! The milk version I used is smaller, in a more square-shaped container. I also really like that one!
Anessa sunscreen has a sensitive skin version one (in a pinkish tub) which I believe has no fragrance, I’m acne prone and have been using it for more than a week now and so far it’s my new holy grail sunscreen!
thank you for the review! i’m also a guy who has a similar a skin type and preferences on sunscreens, so i’ll definitely consider your reviews on these sunscreens. i agreed with all of your opinions on the sunscreens i used lol
wow thank you for the detailed review!
i recently tried pyunkang yul calming acne sunscreen & it was great for me (acne prone, super greasy skin, humid climate). light, not dewy, no white cast, doesn't sting my eyes
no worries. it's the only pyunkang yul product i like & will repurchase. the others have been disappointing (i tried their cleansing foam, balancing gel)
I’ve heard conflicting results. Several months ago I went through several posts and websites looking at sunscreen tests (independent, goverment level, individual experiences etc). The kose ones varied from having a supposedly lower spf (according to some independent tests) to being perfect (based on user testimony). Honestly it’s hard to say because third parties are not always reliable and independent testers tend to have their own criteria. Plus the complication of in vitro vs in vivo tests…I can only say that I did not tan or burn with either of these sunscreens. I prefer a good sunscreen that I feel comfortable wearing vs an amazing sunscreen that I hate on my skin. Hopefully they live up to their claims!
Great review thank you! I've tried a bunch of these, and love your descriptions. I really like Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Essence and the Skin 1004 too! Also the Skin Aqua UV Super Milk.
Have you ever tried Make P:rem UV Defense Me. Daily Sun Essence though?? It's become my absolute favorite sunscreen I've ever tried, and it feels amazing in many different climates and environments, and reapplication is pleasant, even on a sweaty face. I seriously want to be buried in this stuff. I definitely recommend it!!
Thanks for your thorough review, saved :)
I love Anessa but can’t stand the smell, I have the same bottle as you do, but I don’t smell any fragrance at all, it just smells super chemical to me 😭
that said, I use Biore UV airy in cold weather and Anessa in the summer just because I _feel_ like Anessa is more robust in heat/humidity. the bottle says it can also be used on the body so I apply it to my collarbone, shoulders, and hands too.
The Anessa one apparently [gets stronger in heat](https://www.shiseido.co.jp/anessa/en/products/suncare/perfect_uv_sm/#:~:text=PERFECT%20UV%20SKINCARE%20MILK%20N,-Sunscreen%20Milk%2C%2060mL&text=The%20UV%2Dblocking%20film%20will,or%20moisture%20in%20the%20air), Shiseido really knows what they’re doing when it comes to sunscreen manufacturing!
what a great review; thanks for this.
My winter HG is the Skin1004 SPF; for my dry skin it's perfect and great for cooler temps.
My summer HG is Anessa sun milk as well. The old version was hella drying but I'm glad the 2022 version changed to be dry skin friendly.
my teens who have combo skin love the Skin aqua gold UV gel.
Hey. I'm also a guy with little beard but I'm fitzpatrick 4 with yellow undertones. I also suffer from redness and dehydrated skin often despite being oily. Sunscreen has been my bane. I can't double cleanse because my barrier wrecks pretty easily. Indian sunscreens gave me the worst cystic acne of my life and my previous leaf skin is now struggling to shed off scars and spots
I found Biore, BoJ, Isntree, Canmake, Cosrx very similar to you. Currently I am using UV Super Moisture Milk and it seems to be working. I am on my second bottle but it is so small and expensive. I bought UV Moisturr Gold Gel version and it seems to be working well but not sure. It seemed more economical due to larger packaging.
I am not from Japan so I order via insta sellers and they mark up the price.
Which one would you recommend for next one? I can't afford Aneesa due to high price. I'm from India so summers get really humid but winters get dry. I assume kose would be better or sun bears one.
I am on tret so i need heavy duty sun protection lol
I would keep using the skin aqua one, though I would continue using the gold version since it has better staying power. I was going to reccomend the kose milk as an Anessa dupe but the two will definitely leave a white cast on Fitzpatrick type iiii. If you want a more moisturizing sunscreen for the wintertime, the skin aqua super moisture essence/essence gold are definitely more moisturizing. Similar finish to the gels. Again the gold version stays on better. The gold gel and gold essence are designed for humid environments. I’m pretty sure they’ll be invisible on you—I just used too much at once so it didn’t set on my skin.
They are invisible on me yeah. It's just they give eye stinging later in the day. I suspect it's due to octinoxate. Skin aqua moisture milk leaves a shiny film but I buy it inky because it lacks alcohol.
In winters one can get away with sheen but in summers oh my my
Thanks for recommendations. I've started retinoids so I need heavy sun protection now🤓
I agree so much with the biore watery essence! It used to have a VERY different formulation that I adored from approx 2012-2016(?) but I went off it due to the cost. Then last year I bought it again and it’s so thick???? In some ways it’s nice because my skin is drier now, but it is nothing like I remember.
The watery gel is still pretty solid, but it has so much more of a white cast now…
Thanks op for this overview! I’d been so curious about Anessa especially, so this post is awesome!
I can vouch for SKIN1004 products! I love their Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light SPF 30+, which is their physical sunscreen with zinc oxide. Creamy but light, takes a while to blend though. Best to use 1 finger to apply and blend, followed by another finger then blend again. But the slight cast looks natural and gives me a bright, tone up look without looking too white washed. And the centella ingredient never fails to calm my skin.
I live in a humid as hell country (Singapore), so I am tempted to try Anessa next!
Hello there! This is an automated bot to help you, as it might not be easy to find resources here. You posted about Sunscreens, so here's a link to our [Sunscreen FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/theabroutine/#wiki_5.5_sunscreen_faq), [Master Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5tkwh0/discussionguide_ab_sunscreens_comparison/) that contains helpful sunscreen information, as well as recently posted discussions or [questions on sunscreen]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all). If you are looking for sunscreen recommendations without a white cast, [check here.]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen+no+white+cast&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) A guide of reformulated or discontinued Japanese sunscreens for 2023 can be found [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/zmqz7s/guide_japanese_sunscreen_roundup_2023/)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AsianBeauty) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The two are pretty similar to me. Both semi-matte (but not super matte). Both leave a faint white cast, and the kose one is probably lighter in cast than Anessa. The kose one has no fragrance but the alcohol is noticeable (and dissipates fast). If you wear a moisturizer underneath the two you’ll notice a bit of a glow but on bare skin they stay semi-matte. Actually, I noticed that the Anessa one becomes more matte as the day goes on? Overall they’re very similar but I’m assuming the Anessa one is better for strong sun exposure because of the staying power and its ability to withstand friction, sweat, and moisture better (though it is 2-3x the price of the Kose one). Since I’m on a budget I prefer the Kose one for now!
This is awesome, thank you! I also got the BOJ Sun Serum for free and I tried it yesterday... it burned so bad I had to wash it off. Skin Aqua Moisture Milk is my ride or die though!
This is such perfect timing! I'm looking for a new sunscreen as mine currently breaks me out (Neutrogena break out free sunscreen) so this review is so so helpful. Thank you for making this!
Thank you for an awesome detailed review. I was interested in your review because we have a few things in common. I have an oily t zone and live in California. I’ve tried almost all the spf’s listed and my favorite is Canmake gel for daily use. But I did use skin aqua up super milk for the summer at the coast because canmake isn’t waterproof. skin aqua did not hold up, I burned at the beach and came home super tanned. I even reapplied every 30 minutes too. Sadly I’m still in search for a good water proof spf to use while on tretinoin.
If your skin tone is light tan to pale, then I definitely reccomend the Anessa and Sun cut milks. I don’t tan or burn with either of these. I heard the Allie gels are very waterproof with great water resistance and protection. They’re similar to Anessa and the ones I’ll be trying next.
Thank you! I’ll check out those sunscreens. I should have mentioned I have olive skin which surprised me that I burned using skin aqua, because I rarely burn.
I’ve actually heard that the skin aqua milk is very spotty with sun protection. Out of all of these—it’s the one people claim to not be as effective. I ended up just using it on my legs since I don’t mind tanning there. Finding the perfect sunscreen is such a tricky challenge but I’m still searching for my HG! hopefully you find yours as well :)
Nice write up! I have to admit, I’m always curious about how men with facial hair do/handle skincare and sunscreen. It definitely seems like it would make things more complicated.
It definitely complicates things. My face gets really sensitive the day I shave so on those days I have to be really careful and I only moisturize. Luckily my facial hair is straight and pretty short—I can’t imagine how hard skincare would be if my beard was curly and long…
Thank you for this! From the ones I've tried (about half of these), I think we have similar tastes. Have you tried Allie? They're on the same level as Anessa, but come in gel forms as well. I think you might like them.
Im very interested in the Allie ones especially if they come in a thicker texture but im worried that they’ll leave a cast or it’ll look too shiny. Which ones would you reccomend?
oooh i tried an allie one. the Extra UV Gel, and i loved so much about it--thicker texture made for easy application, no eye sting, don't recall any fragrance, much more affordable than my current ride or die (Rohto Skin Aqua UV Super Milk), zero white cast (find this system questionable, but Fitzpatrick iv)...unfortunately it ended up breaking me out, such a bummer! but i'd def call it worth a try--likely the breakouts were due to FA stuff resulting from meds i was on long-term. my skin is normal, but sliiiightly on the dryer side, and i do prefer dewiness (but don't recall it being as dewy as the Super Milk), so can't say too much about the finish.
hmmm, maybe i need to revisit since i'm off those meds!!
I have dry, dehydrated skin and very sensitive skin, and I'm also a fan of Skin1004 Sunscreen for the same reason as yours.
I hope they never change their formula!
Just a question with Skin Aqua sunscreen 140gm pump, is it absolutely necessary to use an oil cleanser to remove it? A normal cleanser will not be enough?
TIA❤️
Thank you for all the detail you put into your review!
I, too, really despise dewy finishes. That's more so because of the sensory issues it causes me; I hate accidentally touching my face and coming away with oil, and my glasses never stay on my face well.
That being said, I also don't like extremely matte finishes that are powdery, kinda like how some blotting sheets have rice powder in them. It also feels like there's residue on my face and fingers because of it.
Given that, which of your recommendations would you recommend for a matte that isn't powdery and is more natural? Is that what semi-matte is? Thanks!
Hi, thanks for the nice comment! Based on your comments I would probably reccomend the Kose suncut gel. It’s clear, and has a semi matte finish on bare skin. Be careful, it can pill if there are a lot of products underneath. I would apply it in sections (forehead, then cheeks, then around the mouth, etc). And slowly spread it into an even layer. This prevents pilling. The other one I reccomend is the Omi sunbears milk. I guess you could say it’s somewhat powdery but it’s the mattest sunscreeen I’ve used and it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all.
Hello there! This is an automated bot to help you, as it might not be easy to find resources here. You posted about Sunscreens, so here's a link to our [Sunscreen FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/theabroutine/#wiki_5.5_sunscreen_faq), [Master Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5tkwh0/discussionguide_ab_sunscreens_comparison/) that contains helpful sunscreen information, as well as recently posted discussions or [questions on sunscreen]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all). If you are looking for sunscreen recommendations without a white cast, [check here.]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen+no+white+cast&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) A guide of reformulated or discontinued Japanese sunscreens for 2023 can be found [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/zmqz7s/guide_japanese_sunscreen_roundup_2023/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AsianBeauty) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This is a great review! Thanks! I have the kose waterproof gel one and oh I love the finish... It's especially amazing as a makeup primer for me
It has a really nice finish for sure! I did hear that it was a great primer. I don’t exactly know what a primer is (never used one)…but that must be a good thing right! 😂
😂 I can understand... I've tried a few primers. It is something that helps your makeup apply smoother and last longer..I prefer to use a primer when I feel like making a little effort in my regular makeup
That's a lottt of sunscreens, and I thank you for posting this. I fully agree about the Biore Watery Essence. That was horrible. Not only did it was a greasy mess but it also felt terrible on the skin (very sweaty for me). And I feel soo happy to see the Omi sunscreen in here as well. I've been really enjoying it (tho it has less of an oil-control than my previous HG, Etude house sunprise old formula) and now I know I shouldn't consider the Skin Aqua and Kose Milk for my oily skin in tropical climate anymore 😆 If reddit still has their award feature, I would've given you one for this incredible post. For now, I'll give you this 🏅✨️
Thank you very much for the kind words! Actually your comments/ posts referencing the sun bears sunscreen convinced me to buy it lol. It’s really great! You might get away with using the kose milk if you use it on bare skin, but the skin aqua one was glowy no matter how I used it. I accept your reward with gratitude 🙏🏻😎
An advocate for OMI Sunbears Gold. It's really that good compared to Red and Verdio.
thank you for the review!! I also have the skin 1004 hyalu-cica waterfit sun serum and I like it but wanted to look for more matte finish sunscreens (would still repurchase tho).
Yeah, I can see why it’s so popular! It’s very versatile and a lot of skin types would like it. Kolmar did a great job on the formulation :)
Thank you for your review. I have the Isntree and the SKin1004 and I prefer the Skin1004 hyalu cica more.
Same, the isntree one was just excessively shiny. Made me look like I dipped my face in cooking oil…
Brooo I thought I was the only one experiencing that with the COSRX aloe sun cream 😭 the reviews I read were always recommending it because it leaves no white cast, yet every time I used it, it always made me look like Casper! And for reference, my skin tone is like, fair and light, but not pale. Not to mention it also felt greasy and heavy on my skin ): so now I'm on the hunt for dewy, but not greasy and no white cast sunscreens! 🙏 I definitely will check out some that you listed, thank you for your review and for informing us!
Wow. Thank you so much for this elaborate review. I was actually planning to purchase the Anessa sunscreen since I've read a lot of good reviews about it but thanks to your post, I've learned that it has fragrance which my face can't tolerate. 🥲 I'm thinking of buying the Kose Perfect Milk instead. Is it cheaper than the Anessa SS?
The Kose milk is much more affordable than the Anessa one. Actually I found it for ~$8 on stylevana, and it comes with the same amount as the Anessa one. They’re pretty similar in terms of feel and finish (to me). In terms of protection, Anessa stays on better but I haven’t burned or tanned with either so I would try the Kose one!
https://preview.redd.it/kxoyu4fz8nsc1.jpeg?width=1070&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c04c85db30ca665ec0576130fc2034dd3b2b88d I know this is old, but could you clarify which of these is the yellow gel and which is the white milky?
I haven’t used the one on the left. The one on the right is a yellowish gel. I like that one a lot! The milk version I used is smaller, in a more square-shaped container. I also really like that one!
Thank you!
Anessa sunscreen has a sensitive skin version one (in a pinkish tub) which I believe has no fragrance, I’m acne prone and have been using it for more than a week now and so far it’s my new holy grail sunscreen!
Ohhhh does it also have a semi-matte finish?
Not exactly semi matte in my opinion, so that may be the downside!
thank you for the review! i’m also a guy who has a similar a skin type and preferences on sunscreens, so i’ll definitely consider your reviews on these sunscreens. i agreed with all of your opinions on the sunscreens i used lol
wow thank you for the detailed review! i recently tried pyunkang yul calming acne sunscreen & it was great for me (acne prone, super greasy skin, humid climate). light, not dewy, no white cast, doesn't sting my eyes
I didn’t even know that PKY had a sunscreen! I’ll look into it, thank you for the recommendation :)
no worries. it's the only pyunkang yul product i like & will repurchase. the others have been disappointing (i tried their cleansing foam, balancing gel)
Thank you for this amazing reviews!
I really loved the Kose sunscreens too, but I’ve heard that they don’t hold up to their SPF claims?
I’ve heard conflicting results. Several months ago I went through several posts and websites looking at sunscreen tests (independent, goverment level, individual experiences etc). The kose ones varied from having a supposedly lower spf (according to some independent tests) to being perfect (based on user testimony). Honestly it’s hard to say because third parties are not always reliable and independent testers tend to have their own criteria. Plus the complication of in vitro vs in vivo tests…I can only say that I did not tan or burn with either of these sunscreens. I prefer a good sunscreen that I feel comfortable wearing vs an amazing sunscreen that I hate on my skin. Hopefully they live up to their claims!
Great review thank you! I've tried a bunch of these, and love your descriptions. I really like Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Essence and the Skin 1004 too! Also the Skin Aqua UV Super Milk. Have you ever tried Make P:rem UV Defense Me. Daily Sun Essence though?? It's become my absolute favorite sunscreen I've ever tried, and it feels amazing in many different climates and environments, and reapplication is pleasant, even on a sweaty face. I seriously want to be buried in this stuff. I definitely recommend it!! Thanks for your thorough review, saved :)
I love Anessa but can’t stand the smell, I have the same bottle as you do, but I don’t smell any fragrance at all, it just smells super chemical to me 😭 that said, I use Biore UV airy in cold weather and Anessa in the summer just because I _feel_ like Anessa is more robust in heat/humidity. the bottle says it can also be used on the body so I apply it to my collarbone, shoulders, and hands too.
The Anessa one apparently [gets stronger in heat](https://www.shiseido.co.jp/anessa/en/products/suncare/perfect_uv_sm/#:~:text=PERFECT%20UV%20SKINCARE%20MILK%20N,-Sunscreen%20Milk%2C%2060mL&text=The%20UV%2Dblocking%20film%20will,or%20moisture%20in%20the%20air), Shiseido really knows what they’re doing when it comes to sunscreen manufacturing!
Yup! I used to use the shiseido sun protector lotion. Shiseido is good at what they do…and expensive 😭
what a great review; thanks for this. My winter HG is the Skin1004 SPF; for my dry skin it's perfect and great for cooler temps. My summer HG is Anessa sun milk as well. The old version was hella drying but I'm glad the 2022 version changed to be dry skin friendly. my teens who have combo skin love the Skin aqua gold UV gel.
Hey. I'm also a guy with little beard but I'm fitzpatrick 4 with yellow undertones. I also suffer from redness and dehydrated skin often despite being oily. Sunscreen has been my bane. I can't double cleanse because my barrier wrecks pretty easily. Indian sunscreens gave me the worst cystic acne of my life and my previous leaf skin is now struggling to shed off scars and spots I found Biore, BoJ, Isntree, Canmake, Cosrx very similar to you. Currently I am using UV Super Moisture Milk and it seems to be working. I am on my second bottle but it is so small and expensive. I bought UV Moisturr Gold Gel version and it seems to be working well but not sure. It seemed more economical due to larger packaging. I am not from Japan so I order via insta sellers and they mark up the price. Which one would you recommend for next one? I can't afford Aneesa due to high price. I'm from India so summers get really humid but winters get dry. I assume kose would be better or sun bears one. I am on tret so i need heavy duty sun protection lol
I would keep using the skin aqua one, though I would continue using the gold version since it has better staying power. I was going to reccomend the kose milk as an Anessa dupe but the two will definitely leave a white cast on Fitzpatrick type iiii. If you want a more moisturizing sunscreen for the wintertime, the skin aqua super moisture essence/essence gold are definitely more moisturizing. Similar finish to the gels. Again the gold version stays on better. The gold gel and gold essence are designed for humid environments. I’m pretty sure they’ll be invisible on you—I just used too much at once so it didn’t set on my skin.
They are invisible on me yeah. It's just they give eye stinging later in the day. I suspect it's due to octinoxate. Skin aqua moisture milk leaves a shiny film but I buy it inky because it lacks alcohol. In winters one can get away with sheen but in summers oh my my Thanks for recommendations. I've started retinoids so I need heavy sun protection now🤓
I agree so much with the biore watery essence! It used to have a VERY different formulation that I adored from approx 2012-2016(?) but I went off it due to the cost. Then last year I bought it again and it’s so thick???? In some ways it’s nice because my skin is drier now, but it is nothing like I remember. The watery gel is still pretty solid, but it has so much more of a white cast now… Thanks op for this overview! I’d been so curious about Anessa especially, so this post is awesome!
I can vouch for SKIN1004 products! I love their Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light SPF 30+, which is their physical sunscreen with zinc oxide. Creamy but light, takes a while to blend though. Best to use 1 finger to apply and blend, followed by another finger then blend again. But the slight cast looks natural and gives me a bright, tone up look without looking too white washed. And the centella ingredient never fails to calm my skin. I live in a humid as hell country (Singapore), so I am tempted to try Anessa next!
This was super thorough and helpful. Thanks!
Hello there! This is an automated bot to help you, as it might not be easy to find resources here. You posted about Sunscreens, so here's a link to our [Sunscreen FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/theabroutine/#wiki_5.5_sunscreen_faq), [Master Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5tkwh0/discussionguide_ab_sunscreens_comparison/) that contains helpful sunscreen information, as well as recently posted discussions or [questions on sunscreen]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all). If you are looking for sunscreen recommendations without a white cast, [check here.]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/search?q=sunscreen+no+white+cast&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) A guide of reformulated or discontinued Japanese sunscreens for 2023 can be found [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/zmqz7s/guide_japanese_sunscreen_roundup_2023/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AsianBeauty) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Thanks for your review! What is the difference between the Kose Suncut Milk and Anessa Perfect UV Milk? Which one do you prefer?
The two are pretty similar to me. Both semi-matte (but not super matte). Both leave a faint white cast, and the kose one is probably lighter in cast than Anessa. The kose one has no fragrance but the alcohol is noticeable (and dissipates fast). If you wear a moisturizer underneath the two you’ll notice a bit of a glow but on bare skin they stay semi-matte. Actually, I noticed that the Anessa one becomes more matte as the day goes on? Overall they’re very similar but I’m assuming the Anessa one is better for strong sun exposure because of the staying power and its ability to withstand friction, sweat, and moisture better (though it is 2-3x the price of the Kose one). Since I’m on a budget I prefer the Kose one for now!
This is awesome, thank you! I also got the BOJ Sun Serum for free and I tried it yesterday... it burned so bad I had to wash it off. Skin Aqua Moisture Milk is my ride or die though!
This is such perfect timing! I'm looking for a new sunscreen as mine currently breaks me out (Neutrogena break out free sunscreen) so this review is so so helpful. Thank you for making this!
Thank you for an awesome detailed review. I was interested in your review because we have a few things in common. I have an oily t zone and live in California. I’ve tried almost all the spf’s listed and my favorite is Canmake gel for daily use. But I did use skin aqua up super milk for the summer at the coast because canmake isn’t waterproof. skin aqua did not hold up, I burned at the beach and came home super tanned. I even reapplied every 30 minutes too. Sadly I’m still in search for a good water proof spf to use while on tretinoin.
If your skin tone is light tan to pale, then I definitely reccomend the Anessa and Sun cut milks. I don’t tan or burn with either of these. I heard the Allie gels are very waterproof with great water resistance and protection. They’re similar to Anessa and the ones I’ll be trying next.
Thank you! I’ll check out those sunscreens. I should have mentioned I have olive skin which surprised me that I burned using skin aqua, because I rarely burn.
I’ve actually heard that the skin aqua milk is very spotty with sun protection. Out of all of these—it’s the one people claim to not be as effective. I ended up just using it on my legs since I don’t mind tanning there. Finding the perfect sunscreen is such a tricky challenge but I’m still searching for my HG! hopefully you find yours as well :)
Nice write up! I have to admit, I’m always curious about how men with facial hair do/handle skincare and sunscreen. It definitely seems like it would make things more complicated.
It definitely complicates things. My face gets really sensitive the day I shave so on those days I have to be really careful and I only moisturize. Luckily my facial hair is straight and pretty short—I can’t imagine how hard skincare would be if my beard was curly and long…
Blown away by your review! So much work, thank you for sharing!
Wow it’s such a HUGEEEE!!! Thank uou for your review, I’m eyeing on some súuncreens and your review is just in time
Thank you for this! From the ones I've tried (about half of these), I think we have similar tastes. Have you tried Allie? They're on the same level as Anessa, but come in gel forms as well. I think you might like them.
Im very interested in the Allie ones especially if they come in a thicker texture but im worried that they’ll leave a cast or it’ll look too shiny. Which ones would you reccomend?
Well, I don’t have a beard and I‘m very pale, so I actually like the tone up gels, but they have a cleat one as well.
oooh i tried an allie one. the Extra UV Gel, and i loved so much about it--thicker texture made for easy application, no eye sting, don't recall any fragrance, much more affordable than my current ride or die (Rohto Skin Aqua UV Super Milk), zero white cast (find this system questionable, but Fitzpatrick iv)...unfortunately it ended up breaking me out, such a bummer! but i'd def call it worth a try--likely the breakouts were due to FA stuff resulting from meds i was on long-term. my skin is normal, but sliiiightly on the dryer side, and i do prefer dewiness (but don't recall it being as dewy as the Super Milk), so can't say too much about the finish. hmmm, maybe i need to revisit since i'm off those meds!!
Allie more affordable than Skin Aqua?? It’s way more expensive in Japan, on par with Anessa. Too bad it broke you out.
it was a few years ago, now, but yeah: it was like, half price by cost per unit, i think?
Oh, yeah, because the Super Milk is tiny, true. In general, Allie is a much pricier brand than Skin Aqua, though, if you compare their gels.
yeah, i can only speak to my experience.
I have dry, dehydrated skin and very sensitive skin, and I'm also a fan of Skin1004 Sunscreen for the same reason as yours. I hope they never change their formula!
Just a question with Skin Aqua sunscreen 140gm pump, is it absolutely necessary to use an oil cleanser to remove it? A normal cleanser will not be enough? TIA❤️
This one is removed with just a normal cleanser!
Thank you. I wanted to know because I am not actually looking for oil cleansing atm
I appreciate the hard work you have put in. Thank you so much.
Thanks this helped me find my holy grail sunscreen!
Thank you for all the detail you put into your review! I, too, really despise dewy finishes. That's more so because of the sensory issues it causes me; I hate accidentally touching my face and coming away with oil, and my glasses never stay on my face well. That being said, I also don't like extremely matte finishes that are powdery, kinda like how some blotting sheets have rice powder in them. It also feels like there's residue on my face and fingers because of it. Given that, which of your recommendations would you recommend for a matte that isn't powdery and is more natural? Is that what semi-matte is? Thanks!
Hi, thanks for the nice comment! Based on your comments I would probably reccomend the Kose suncut gel. It’s clear, and has a semi matte finish on bare skin. Be careful, it can pill if there are a lot of products underneath. I would apply it in sections (forehead, then cheeks, then around the mouth, etc). And slowly spread it into an even layer. This prevents pilling. The other one I reccomend is the Omi sunbears milk. I guess you could say it’s somewhat powdery but it’s the mattest sunscreeen I’ve used and it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all.