Here’s a couple empties, but before a bit of info about my skin and environment
[Link to pictures of empties](https://imgur.com/a/62si7mM)
Skin type: combination (oily T zone)
Skin tone: medium tan
Climate: dry dessert, tested the products during winter season
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Bioré – UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50+ PA+++
Ingredients:
Water, ethanol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, (lauryl methacrylate/sodium methacrylate) crosspolymer, ethylhexyl triazone, dimethicone, alkyl benzoate (C12-15), titanium oxide, hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate, bisethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyltriazine, (dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone) crosspolymer, BG, xylitol, dextrin palmitate, DPG, hydrous silica, hydroxyethyl cellulose, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, cetanol, polymethylsilsesquioxane, (vinyl dimethicone/methicone) Sesquioxane) crosspolymer, triethoxycaprylylsilane, propanediol, (acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate) crosspolymer, glyceryl behenate, polysorbate 60, aluminum hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, stearic acid, stearyl Alcohol, sorbitan distearate, agar, polyvinyl alcohol, isoceteth-20, stearoyl methyl taurine Na, stearoyl glutamic acid, AMP, stearoxy PG sodium hydroxyethyl cellulose sulfonate, arginine, glutamic acid, locust bean gum, maltose, sodium hyaluronate, royal jelly extract, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA-2Na, BHT, fragrance
Texture: As you would expect it’s very watery, slips down your fingers. The applicator is big so you get a good chunk. After drying it gives a silky veil finish. Color is white like milk.
Application: Please please mix the bottle before application, otherwise it will be alcohol impregnated, causing a heavy smell (that vaporizes quickly) and might sting if you have scratches or sensitive eyes. I used the two fingers rule, but it always felt like I was applying too much, which then tended to cause pilling even if I used silicone based makeup or no makeup at all. I had to leave it dry and it had a white cast, but it faded after drying.
Would Recommend: nah, I guess it’s a good alternative for no makeup days, as the silk finish is quite nice by itself, but the alcohol smell was awful. To be honest, if you mix the bottle well the product won’t smell of anything noticeable, but I found that when the bottle was near the end, all applications smelled like alcohol, even after mixing the bottle well. I had heard good things about this product, but I think Bioré can and has done better (like with their Aqua Rich Essence line).
Overall: 6.5/10
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HOLIKA HOLIKA – Aloe Waterproof Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++
Ingredients:
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Fragrance, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, t-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Juice, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ceramide, Phytosphingosine, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Texture: think Lubriderm, feels like lubriderm, same texture and absorbs just as quickly. Only difference is that this one does not smell and doesn’t sting the eyes or irritated skin (maybe thanks to the aloe vera?)
Application: again, same as lubriderm. Leaves skin feel light but moisturized. You can apply primer or any makeup after it dries and it will feel like you didn’t put sunscreen on.
Would Recommend: yes! It has everything I was looking for, it’s lightweight, non-oily, absorbs quickly, it was cheap and leaves no white cast. It’s even waterproof, and I went to some trips where I sweat or went to the beach and didn’t get burnt, so it was effective. I love that this sunscreen is basically a moisturizer that leaves your face a white canvas for any makeup you want to use that day. Holika Holika has never disappointed me when I have tried their products, but this one is by far the best (and that’s saying a lot considering their protein hair mask is the best I’ve tried).
Overall: holy grail / 10 (but as anything else that’s good, it’s discontinued, so my search for a holy grail sunscreen will continue 🫠)
by muusha