This popular thought that ALL chemical sunscreens are dangerous and life-threatening wears on my nerves. I’ve seen comments that are innacurate, misleading and seriously exaggerated. This video is dedicated to the good ones. The ones that have been developed for one noble purpose – to protect us from those nasty UV rays in the safest and most effective, not to mention invisible way possible.
I concur the FDA has left us with primitive and the suckiest chemical options in U.S sunscreens that are not photostable, highly irritating and have a propensity to show up in our pee. Which is why I go for Asian and European sunscreens which have not only superior and stable UV protection, are less irritating, but also easy to apply and wear.
So please enjoy my Summer Sunscreen Roundup! This will be the last of my sunscreen series and is ofcourse, focused on my favourite chemical formulas! I talk about the chemical filters I look for and list all the active ingredients in my favourite sunscreens. I’ve also thrown in some reviews of the sunscreens I get asked about all the time which, I honestly find overrated. All the sunscreens I previously reviewed in the past I still love in case you were wondering!
Related Videos with Sunscreens I still consider favourites and love:
Japanese Sunscreen Favs
Favourite Pure Mineral Sunscreens
— Products Mentioned —
Shiseido – Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster SPF 50 PA++++
Shiseido – Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster Mild SPF 35 PA+++
Shiseido – Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster Mild SPF 50 PA++++
Sunplay Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF 50 PA++++
Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50 PA++++*
Make P:rem Capsule Sun Gel SPF 50 PA+++
Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35 (reviewed but not a personal recommendation)
Avene Sun Care Very High Protection Sun Emulsion SPF 50
Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluide SPF 50
Bioderma Photoderm Anti-Age Creme SPF 30 UVA 30
Innisfree Perfect UV Protection Cream Long Lasting for Dry Skin SPF 50 PA+++*
CosRx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence SPF 50 PA+++
Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF 50 PA+++*
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sun Cream SPF 35 PA+++ *
Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46*
(Reviewed but not a personal recommendation)
Suntegrity Lip CPR* – Peach Sunrise
Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25 – Simply Rose
Supergoop Shine On Lip Screen SPF 50*
Wishing you great skin health!
This video is not sponsored. PR samples or gifts are marked with an (*) and sent to me without any obligation to review. There may be some affiliate links used.
Thank you so much for making this video! I just received my Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluide SPF 50 after watching it. I haven’t tried it on my face yet, but put some on my hand to feel the consistency, and it is really special; so lightweight and non-sticky! I’ve had Vichy SS with dry touch before, but it’s so thick and does not go well under makeup, so I’ve actually not used SS on a daily basis because I’ve never found one that works with 1) my acne-prone skin (every SS broke me out) and 2) they’ve never cooperated with my creams and makeup.
This, however, seems like a total gamechanger for me, being so thin and lightweight! I was just wondering how I should layer it, as I’ve read something about chemical filter SS should go on first as they need to be absorbed by the skin to work properly. Is this the case for all of them (or at least in my case, the one from Bioderma)? Or could I put it on after serums and creams and before foundation?
Chemical filters work similarly to physical ones especially these european ones that have larger molecular sizes and work similarly to the physical filters. I believe all sunscreens should be last step of skincare with some wait time to dry before makeup application.
Thank you so much for this post! I have melasma and have been on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen to calm it down. I live in the US though and was wondering if you do too, and if so do you just order from The sites you’ve linked and don’t worry to much about the shipping?
Because I travel to Asia extensively, I usually stock up on the European and asian sunscreens when I travel. Otherwise, I do most of my ordering through these sites. Most of them offer free shipping if you purchase above a certain amount, but that may change from time to time depending on the sites.
Thank you for including the active ingredients in this video! My skin does not agree with Octinoxate or Oxybenzone, which eliminates a huge portion of both the asian and US sunscreens for me. Fatty alcohols also seem to break me out, so it’s really hard to find a sunscreen that works!
I’m bummed to hear that the Make P:rem orange top is unstable and will be discontinued! This is one of the only sunscreens I’ve found that doesn’t have Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, fatty alcohols, other acne triggers or huge amounts of alcohol and that is really cosmetically elegant and moisturizing. I love the feel of it so much!
It looks like I’ll have to look into the Anessa Mild formulas or the Bioderma range when I finish up my current bottles. Thank you for your always informative videos!
Yes, I avoid Oxybenzone in sunscreens for many reasons. Definitely the European sunscreens are better at not using Octinoxate and the asian ones use less because there is usually a wide range of UV filters to offer broader spectrum protection.
Thanks for such an informative video! Living in NYC myself, it would be great to find some of these sunscreens in-store. Are you aware of any reliable stores that sell the Anessa Sunscreen?
Hi David, if you look for the Japanese supermarkets, they always carry Anessa. I’m not sure if they would have the ‘mild’ versions but the regular ones are always there! Jas mart etc. There are so many all over the city
You remommend YesStyle a lot and I was really interested in some of your wonderful sounding recommendations so I went and made an order. I have had a horrible experience with them-my order never arrived (courier admitted they lost it) and 2 months later I am still battling with them – they will not give me a refund- only a reshipment which I have had to chase, chase, chase. I think as long as everything goes well they are great but as soon as something goes wrong, there is little to no customer service. Just thought you might like to know as you link to them a lot. Love your channel/ blog- just need somewhere better to get Korean skincare
Author
Hi Dervilla, I contacted them regarding your issue. Will let you know when I get feedback.
Hi Dervilla,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve looked into the matter and have learned that Customer Service finally received your order and has initiated a reshipment.
Just to clarify: There have been a number of shipments to Europe, most notably to the UK, that were sent back to us due to a logistics problem with the courier that we use. This problem was compounded during the holiday season, and now we are busy re-sending these shipments using express service to customers.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused through encountering this problem, and thank you once again for the feedback.
Best,
Elizabeth@YesStyle
I find your posts to be the best when it comes to simplicity and focussing on the just the right knowledge break down of the products. I have been using Face shop sunscreen for sensitive skin for a while, and I really like it..but after seeing this video of yours, I’m tempted to try one of these..and I’m having a tough time pickibg one out of these, if you could please help me pick one?
My skin is on the oilier side, and I don’t mind the whitecast of the sunscreen, plus i like something which gives a bit of sheen to the skin and can be worn under makeup as well…so what’s going to be the best for me?
Thank you, hoping you would reply soon, need to buy a sunscreen soon..
And I forgot to add that sometimes some sunscreens do break me out a little..so I always have to keep this in mind..I want a sunscreen that i can wear to the office without any skin makeup and still look like I have great skin 😝
Also whether it is safe for use during and post pregnancy
I just found this and it’s wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to go through each in detail! I’m trying to find the Anessa SPF 35 but I can’t seem to find it available online anywhere. Do you know if it’s been discontinued?
I also had the same question about the Anessa SPF 35. Do you have a link to them?
Shiseido – Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster Mild SPF 35 PA+++
Shiseido – Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster Mild SPF 50 PA++++