https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbXErZeW-Zo

Finishes (8:48)

• Matte – mattifies the look of oil, makes skin appear flatter and drier
• Natural – same as the skins baseline finish
• Naturally glowy – a tiny bit of glow but still maintains a natural finish
• Glowy – healthy, hydrated, like one has skincare on
• Dewy – juicy, appears to be a wetness on the face (i.e. you just spritzed your face with skincare spray)
• Radiant – gives luminosity the way a highlighter would; iridescence
• Glass – high gloss

Gel

• Nivea UV Super Water Gel 50 PA+++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Alcohol but doesn’t linger
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Soft gel serum that goes watery immediately upon application
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Dries down quickly. Truly weightless – doesn’t feel like anything on the skin. Lightest weight of all the tested products.
  • WARNING: The Chemist Confession YT channel had concerns about its ability to create a uniform film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfiwUSQOJbQ
• Rohto Mentholatum Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel 50+ PA++++ (current formulation)
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Alcohol
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Very fluid, lightweight gel that’s slightly milky. Need to put some effort into application.
  • Finish: Naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Nearly weightless. Somewhat more moisturizing than previous formulations. Lightest of all the tested products.
• Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Alcohol smell is more prevalent than the fragrance
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Gel serum that goes watery upon application. A little bit thicker and a little bit more emollient than the Nivea UV Super Water Gel.
  • Finish/feel: Glowy with a tiny bit of radiance
  • Dry down/feel: Hydrated but transparent. Lightest weight of all the tested products.
• OMI Verido UV Moisture Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: More like a gel lotion – it’s a step thicker than a gel serum but is still fluid and lightweight
  • Finish: Intense glow, to the point of glass
  • Dry down/feel: Very light moisturizer
• Isehan Kiss Me Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence 50 + SPF++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Very strong lemon cleaner
  • Water resistant: Not stated. Also claims to be sebum resistant.
  • Texture: Gel lotion – more emollient than a watery gel
  • Finish: Glassy with some radiance
  • Dry down/feel: Very light moisturizer
• Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV 50+ SPF+++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Gel-cream hybrid
  • Finish: Very glowy to the point of being borderline dewy. Good radiance.
  • Dry down/feel: Very lightweight and hydrated
• Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No added fragrance, but does contain essential oils
  • Scent: Slight citrus and alcohol
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: The thickest of all the tested gels. Like a plush gel.
  • Finish: Glowy to dewy
  • Dry down/feel: Hydrated and moisturized Fluid lotion Missha All Around Safe Block

Fluid Lotion

• Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk 50+ PA ++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Floral alcohol
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Ultra-light, liquidy lotion that is slightly milky but not very emollient
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Irritated skin. Watery, transparent dry down.
• Rohto Mentholatum Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel 50+ PA ++++ (past formulation – discontinued)
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Alcohol
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Ultra-light lotion and goes truly water like upon blending
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Watery
• House of Hur Weightless Sun Fluid 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Not stated so most likely not
  • Texture: Velvety, fluid lotion. Not watery the way other products have been, but is just as light as they were.
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Very lightweight. Doesn’t feel anything when touching skin.
• TOCOBO Bio Watery Sun Cream 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Smells like plants and a greenhouse
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Serum like lotion. Fluid, Soft. Silky.
  • Finish: Natural to naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Dries down quickly. Hydrating. Satin to the touch.
• Isntree Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream 50+ PA ++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Smell: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Fluid cream. Silky.
  • Finish: Natural to naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Caused burning (a common complaint). Like a light moisturizer.
• Rohto Mentholatum Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk 50+ PA ++++ (discontinued)
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Subtle alcohol
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Fluid, light, milky
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Slightly greasy
• Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Borderline lotion as it’s the thickest out of all the gels and fluid lotions.
  • Finish: Dewy, but not overly wet
  • Dry down/feel: Eye sting. Lightweight moisturizer

Lotion

• d’Alba Waterfull Essence Sun Cream 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Light citrus
  • Water resistant: Not stated so most likely not
  • Texture: Soft and creamy lotion with a little bit of a gel quality and slightly watery upon blending
  • Finish: Glowy with a slight radiance
  • Dry down/feel: Satin to the touch
• SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Moisturizing lotion with a little bit of a gel quality. Creamier than the d’Alba Waterfull Essence.
  • Finish: Glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Slightly tacky moisturizer. Good makeup base.
• make p:rem UV Defense Me. Daily Sun Essence 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Subtle floral
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Lightweight lotion that’s kind of like a serum and kind of milky – hard to describe
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Satin to the touch
• MISHA All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Unbearable floral scent that doesn’t fade
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Slightly creamy milky lotion
  • Finish: Subtly dewy
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer
• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Looks thicker than it feels. Like a moisturizing lotion that’s on the lighter side. Not a lot of emollients or slip.
  • Finish: Naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer. Good for winter, but also light enough for summer.
• ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: A slippery lotion
  • Finish: Naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer
• Skin 1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Water Fit Sun Serum 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Emollient lotion. Not watery.
  • Finish: Naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer
• CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Indescribable subtle scent
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Serum like lotion – thicker, more emollient, and more moisturizing than Tocobo
  • Finish: Dewy and juicy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer. Slightly tacky.

Creamy lotions & creams

• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh 50+PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Creamier and more emollient than the BOJ Relief Sun
  • Finish: Glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer
• numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Creamy lotion
  • Finish: Natural to naturally glowy. Skin looks hydrated.
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer. Better than the BOJ Aqua Relief – lighter and more moisture.
• heimish Artless Glow Base 50+ PA+++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Similar to Tocobo
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Silky, milky, creamy, moisturizing lotion
  • Finish: Intense radiance
  • Dry down/feel: Slightly tacky moisturizer
• Dear, Klairs All-Day Airy Sunscreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Creamy lotion with a little bit of a gel quality but def thicker/more emollient than the gel sunscreens
  • Finish: Glowy to dewy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer
• B:Lab Matcha Hydrating Real Sunscreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Subtle fresh scent – not exactly minty but something along those lines
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: A thick, creamy moisturizer
  • Finish: Glowy to dewy. Minor white cast along hairline
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer. Great for dry skin.
• Etude Soon Jung Directors Moisture Sun Cream 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Silky, velvety, lotion-cream hybrid – one of the creamiest options
  • Finish: Natural to naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer
• Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Subtle citrus
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Creamy, soft, emollient
  • Finish: Naturally glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer
• HYGGEE Vegan Sun Cream 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: Subtle alcohol
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Very similar to BOJ Relief Sun, creamy but not heavy or emollient.
  • Finish: Glowy
  • Dry down/feel: Dries quickly. Satin to the touch.
• iUNIK Centella Calming Daily Suncreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Yes
  • Texture: Soft, velvety, cream
  • Finish: Dewy
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer. Great for dry skin.
• House of Dohwa Rice Bran 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Light, fresh, perfume – what the MISHA All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun should be
  • Water resistant: Not state so most likely not
  • Texture: Lightweight cream, very emollient, lots of slip
  • Finish: Glowy to dewy
  • Dry down/feel: Like a moisturizer
• Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: No
  • Scent: Light citrus
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Very thick and creamy but not velvet or silky
  • Finish: Very dewy with radiance
  • Dry down/feel: Lightweight moisturizer
• celimax Oil Control Light Sunscreen 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: No
  • Texture: Thick cream – almost like a paste – and greasy
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Soft, velvety. Leaves white cast.
• haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisturizer Airyfit 50+ PA++++
  • Fragrance free: Yes
  • Scent: None
  • Water resistant: Not stated so most likely not
  • Texture: The thickest cream texture. Somewhat stiff you need to put more work into application.
  • Finish: Natural
  • Dry down/feel: Slightly tacky moisturizer, but not the best moisturizer (compared to others tested) for being so thick.