Sun protection is an essential skincare step we shouldn’t miss. After all, the ultraviolet rays from the sun are the biggest contributor to skin ageing, resulting in everything from wrinkles to pigmentation. But with Singapore’s heat and humidity, wearing sunscreen often feels suffocating thereby deterring many from adequate application.
Fortunately, the Japanese and Korean beauty industries have cracked the code on creating sunscreens that protects while being lightweight and breathable. Here are the ones we are loving right now.
As the name implies, rice extract and grain probiotics complex are the key ingredients in this cult favourite chemical sunscreen. The lightweight cream formula also absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
from $14.92
Also available at Amazon
Made with seven kinds of centella asiatica extracts to soothe irritated skin, this non-white cast chemical sunscreen also contains hyaluronic acid, inositol and niacinamide among its nourishing ingredients.
Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
$19.96 $44.50 55% off
Also available at Amazon
Skin1004’s chemical sunscreen combines hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica extract. The former hydrates the skin while the latter soothes and heals. It also does not leave a white cast.
Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++
$19.50
With a watery gel-like texture that spreads easily across the skin, the Canmake sunscreen also doubles as a makeup primer and doesn’t leave a white cast that could distort anything you apply over.
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++
$18.90
Also available at Amazon Fresh
The latest addition to the famed Bioré Aqua Rich line of sunscreen has a water-based formula with a water-like texture. As such, it is lightweight and spreads easily, albeit a little too easy at times. It is a chemical sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast.
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Lotion SPF50+ PA++++
$19.05
Also available at Guardian
This water-resistant sunscreen is especially useful for those who partake in water sports. The chemical sunscreen contains beta-glucan to provide moisture while providing a fresh, matte finish without a white cast.
Another well-loved chemical sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast, the Isntree formula is packed with eight different weights of hyaluronic acid to flood parched skin with hydration.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
$17 $18.99 10% off
Curél is a Japanese label that specialises in creating skincare suitable for sensitive skin types. As such, this physical sunscreen (which leaves a white cast) contains ceramides to hydrate, moisturise and protect while the Day Barrier Technology shields against environmental pollutants.
Freeplus is another skincare label made for sensitive skin types. This sunscreen emulsion is suitable for the face and body and uses physical filters, which can leave a white cast. It is also free of potentially allergenic ingredients such as fragrances and colourants.
Fermented Job’s tears, rose myrtle, angelica and melothria go into the Sekkisei gel sunscreen to combat dryness, roughness and dark spots. The chemical sunscreen also contains sebum-absorbing ingredients while not leaving a white cast.
Kose Sekkisei Skincare UV Gel
$32
Also available at Guardian
This article was originally published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.
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- TAGS:
- skincare
- sun protection
- sunscreen