Index / Biore / UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Biore

UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Sunscreen

About this product

A lightweight chemical sunscreen gel with SPF 50+ PA++++ that uses advanced Japanese UV filters, hyaluronic acid, and royal jelly extract for hydration and protection.

Best for

Oily skinCombination skinNormal skin
Sunscreen

The Guru Index verdict

78%

Approved

Approved · 78%
5Reviewers
4Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this as a cult favorite for its weightless texture that absorbs instantly and works excellently for reapplication over makeup, especially for oily and combination skin types. The high alcohol content and photostable UV filters are seen as key to its performance in humid climates. The main friction points are its strong fragrance, which some find off-putting in a sunscreen, and its very liquid consistency, which one reviewer found harder to apply using standard techniques. Sensitive skin types may want to patch test due to alcohol content.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Hyaluronic acidSPFFragrance-free

Full ingredients

Water, Ethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl Methacrylate/​Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Xylitol, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/​Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-9, Glyceryl Stearate, AMP-Acrylates Copolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/​Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Agar, Isoceteth-20, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, Polyvinyl Alcohol, C30-45 Olefin, (Naoh) Sodium Hydroxide, (Bg) Butylene Glycol, (Pg) Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Royal Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, (EDTA-2Na) Disodium EDTA, (BHT) Butylated Hydroxytoluene

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"This is one of the most iconic Japanese SPFs out there. It's really ultra light gel cream. It feels like skincare. It does not feel like SPF. It has really high SPF, really good protection with these advanced Japanese UV filters. Feels very hydrating and cooling like instant cooling application. Also wears really well under makeup. I would say it's great for oily and combination skin. It is alcohol based, so if you're somebody who has really sensitive skin or you're sensitive to alcohol, maybe she's not the one for you. The key ingredients here are hyaluronic acid, Royal Jelly Extract, and it has both of the chemical UV filters."
Approved
"The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++. A cult J beauty favorite. It's a chemical sunscreen that's been reformulated a few times now. The current version whilst doesn't feel any different, just feels better in some way. Photostable chemical UV filters that provide broad-spectrum protection while being lightweight on the skin. What makes this stand out is the texture. It's that watery essence that just disappears into the skin, making it perfect for those who may be a little bit more oily and find reapplication of sunscreen throughout the day a bit of a problem. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, royal jelly extract, and citrus extracts for added antioxidant benefits. It's great for humid climates, oily skin types. It does contain a little bit of fragrance, however, which I don't love in my sunscreen, but I'm not really bothered by it to be honest with you. With these alcohol heavy sunscreens, which is very typical of Japanese sunscreens because it helps everything absorb quicker and has this cooling effect on the skin to sit in those humid climates, you need to add a little bit of something in there to take away that smell. If you're very sensitive, you might want to avoid this. I personally am easily sensitized and I'm fine with this one. Been using it for years on and off."
All 2 takes from James Welsh
THE BEST Korean Sunscreens Of 2025...so far
"The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++. A cult J beauty favorite. It's a chemical sunscreen that's been reformulated a few times now. The current version whilst doesn't feel any different, just feels better in some way. Photostable chemical UV filters that provide broad-spectrum protection while being lightweight on the skin. What makes this stand out is the texture. It's that watery essence that just disappears into the skin, making it perfect for those who may be a little bit more oily and find reapplication of sunscreen throughout the day a bit of a problem. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, royal jelly extract, and citrus extracts for added antioxidant benefits. It's great for humid climates, oily skin types. It does contain a little bit of fragrance, however, which I don't love in my sunscreen, but I'm not really bothered by it to be honest with you. With these alcohol heavy sunscreens, which is very typical of Japanese sunscreens because it helps everything absorb quicker and has this cooling effect on the skin to sit in those humid climates, you need to add a little bit of something in there to take away that smell. If you're very sensitive, you might want to avoid this. I personally am easily sensitized and I'm fine with this one. Been using it for years on and off."
THE BEST Korean Sunscreens Of 2025...so far
"What makes this stand out is the texture. It's that watery essence that just disappears into the skin, making it perfect for those who may be a little bit more oily and find reapplication of sunscreen throughout the day a bit of a problem. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, royal jelly extract, and citrus extracts for added antioxidant benefits. It's great for humid climates, oily skin types. It does contain a little bit of fragrance, which I don't love in my sunscreen. With these alcohol heavy sunscreens, which is very typical of Japanese sunscreens because it helps everything absorb quicker, it has this cooling effect on the skin to sit in those humid climates. If you're very sensitive, you might want to avoid this. I personally have easily sensitized skin and I'm fine with this one. I've been using it for years on and off."
~Mixed
"It's the most liquidy sunscreen I've ever tried because it doesn't have that tack, and it's harder to apply. Normally I apply two finger lengths, but you can't do that with this. You almost have to apply it into your hand and dab it onto the face, so my application technique doesn't work very well. It also has a relatively strong fragrance, almost like a fresh kind of fragrance. I didn't hate this product, but I really didn't love it the way that everyone else had loved it. The spray version grips pretty well actually, the spray grips more than the lotion. The reason I say that is because a way that people go wrong with sprays is they don't rub it in. It's weird that it grips so much for a spray. The smell is subjective, but I think it's nice."
Approved
"The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is an SPF 50 sunscreen and is probably one of the most popular Asian sunscreens. It dries down pretty much instantly and it just works so beautifully for reapplication. It's also my favorite sunscreen for reapplying over makeup because you can kind of stipple or pat it on the skin without it building up or leaving a white cast. This is a chemical sunscreen and does have quite a high alcohol content, but I really think that adds to the performance of the product. Just note for people who are sensitive to fragrance, this does have fragrance."
Top Pick: sunscreen for oily skin
Approved
"A little goes a long way so make sure you apply enough of it to get the allotted SPF. Mildly citrusy fragrance but not offensive for me and it does dissipate really quickly. You will put this on during the day in place of your moisturizer and even your essence really and even your hyaluronic acid. I would put my vitamin C on and go straight in with this over the summer when you're really busy and you want to leave the house. The SPF 50 I think is perfection."
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