Hey everyone! How are you?

It's been a while since my last post. Over the 2 months, my skin had pretty bad breakout and I was trying out new brand of tretinoin. I suspect it's the tretinoin fault, so I have stopped using it for ~2 weeks now and seems my skin has stopped getting bumpy. Anyway, let's dig into this sunscreen.

 

Product Summary

Preface

This is my first Rohto SKIN AQUA sunscreen. I got mine from Dokodemo as it wasn't available yet locally when I purchased it. Though, it's been sold locally now here in Singapore. I saw it in Watsons.

To start with, my skin type is oily. I live in hot humid tropical country. On average, the weather temperature is around 31-33°C. These days the humidity level is around 65-70% wherebouts and it's pretty nice. Some thicker sunscreens actually set better than usual.

Just a heads up, the ingredient list on my bottle is in Japanese (since I imported it from Japan, literally). I tried to compare the ingredient list with the English translated version that is being sold here, and I notice the ingredient sequence is slightly different.

 

Note that the version I'm reviewing is the 2020 re-formulation. To see if you have the same version as mine, check on the back tube, it should have this label (highlighted in green box in the photo below)

スキンアクア
スーパーモイスチャーエッセンス b

 

On the Japanese version, the filters are listed as this sequence: Octinoxate, Tinosorb M, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S; while the English translated version, the Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S positions are swapped. You can check the picture below for English translated ingredient.

 

Characteristics

Texture

It's a white gel texture, spreads easily and far. It spreads too far in my liking.

Finish:

On my face and body skin, it's a shiny and tacky sunscreen. It's not dry touch nor it's matte. It is less shiny than Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, but more shiny than Kose Suncut Super Waterproof Gel or Biore UV Athlizm Essence.

White cast:

It has slight white cast on initial application. The cast went away after a while. I don't find it leaves white cast on my light-medium skin. But it does contain Tinosorb M that it may leave white cast on darker skin tone. Even after reapplication, I can not find any trace of white cast on me.

Scent:

It does not contain fragrance.

Pilling:

I don't find it pills with reapplication.

Eye Stinging:

It doesn't sting my eyes on initial application. However, as day goes on, I feel it slowly seeps into my eyes. It doesn't sting my eyes still, but still annoyed me that I can feel "something" entering my eyes. I wear Acuvue Oasys Dailies.

 

Adherence

Preparation

I applied the sunscreen on my left bare arm, took photos using UV camera (Sunscreenr). I let it set for 1 hour before taking the UV camera picture.

 

Texture

It has gel like texture. I don't sniff any particular scent from it. I dislike sunscreen that can spread too far though, as it usually means I might possibly underapply.

 

Shine Level

It's a shiny sunscreen, not the worse I own. It's also tacky to the touch, even after letting it set for an hour. It's worse on my facial skin actually.

Coverage

The sunscreen disperses evenly, as you can see from the picture below.

 

Rub Test and Removal

I rubbed a section near my fingers of my hand under running sink water for 10 seconds. I can see most of the sunscreen has been removed, though there is still very little layer left. 

I used Biore Facial Foam Mild cleanser on wet skin and massaged it for 30 seconds and washed it off. I can see the sunscreen has been properly removed.

 

 

Face Swatch

Preparation:

On this swatch, I used my usual AM skincare underneath the sunscreen. This is what my usual AM routine looks like:

• Biore Facial Foam Mild
• DIY - Niacinamide + Tranexamic acid serum in simple water and glycerin base
• Finacea Gel
• Benzac AC 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
• Sunscreen of the day

I don't do any wait times. As the serum is my own concoction, I always make it very watery and leaves no emollient residue. By the time I apply my sunscreen, my face is hydrated, but not damp or wet for sure.

How I apply

I applied the sunscreen in 2 layers, which is not my usual technique. Just for context, I usually work on section by section in only 1 layer, e.g. I divide the forehead into 3 areas, and rub/massage the sunscreen area by area. This works for sunscreen that has quick drying time. But it doesn't seems to work with this SKIN AQUA sunscreen, as a pea size of this can spread very far. So instead of massaging section by section, I apply in multiple layers instead.

I skipped application on my eyelids and lips and ears for contrast.

Uhh...I really hate sunscreen that doesn't set quick. It's shiny on my oily face, and it remains tacky to the touch.

 

Wear Test - After 4 hours wear and Reapplication

Check below photos on how it wears off after 4 hours. As expected, after blotting with tissue, majority of the sunscreen are removed, so make sure to reapply accordingly when you will be under the sun for prolonged period.

I don't notice any pilling on reapplication. Do note I didn't wear any makeup on the photos here.

Conclusion

There you have it. It's a decent sunscreen. I have others that I like better since this one is too shiny in my liking.

I also have the GOLD version, sigh. I feel like that one is going to have similar finish as this one, so I shall keep my expectation low.

I didn't finish the whole tube, and passed it to my mom. She is enjoying it more than me, since she has drier skin and she loves shiny - ehem, dewy finish. She despises matte sunscreen so we are on the opposite spectrum.

 

Discussion

I have posted the link over other channels.

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/chocosweet/comments/pyfpt0/under_uv_camera_skin_aqua_uv_super_moisture/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUcIS71lRkC/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chocosweetclub/status/1443497408114143233

Disclaimer: I only use the UV camera to see if a sunscreen disperses an even layer (or patchy and spotty); and if I miss out a spot during application. It's not by all means to measure the sunscreen protection level. Got mine from sunscreenr.com. It's compatible with android phone.