COSRX Shield Fit All Green Comfort Sun SPF50+ PA++++

12:12:00 AM mandy 0 Comments

Would anyone believe me if I said the COSRX Shield Fit ALL Green Comfort Sun SPF50+ PA++++ is the first full-sized COSRX product I have ever tried? The brand has a loyal following and all their products are raved about at one point or another. So when they come out with sun protection, especially a "mineral" and "inorganic" one, I go in having higher hopes and expectations than normal.



COSRX's description:

Formulated with all green ingredients, this sunscreen that protects the skin from external stressors leaving the skin with a soft matte finish.

EWG all green grade formula comforts the skin while providing perfect protection from both UVA and UVB. This complete skin shield applies effortlessly to protect the skin from overexposure to sunlight and pollution.

This comforting sunscreen relieves irritation while calming redness with a unique 'Mild Comfort System' formulated with Centella Asiatica Extract and Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract. It helps sensitive skin look and feel more comfortable.

Artemisia Caillaris Extract protects the skin from fine dust and other external stressors.

The weightless cream texture helps control sebum production to smoothen the skin without clogging the pores. It leaves the skin with a soft matte finish with no greasy residue.

Directions
Apply a generous amount on over face 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Reapply throughout the day as needed, especially during prolonged sun exposure.

Ingredients
WATER, CYCLOMETHICONE, ZINC OXIDE (CI 77947), BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, ISODODECANE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, GLYCERIN, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, TRIBEHENIN, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, MICA (CI 77019), MAGNESIUM SULFATE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, STEARIC ACID, SALVIA SCLAREA (CLARY) OIL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN, DISODIUM EDTA, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, MALTODEXTRIN, MORINGA PTERYGOSPERMA SEED EXTRACT, SODIUM PALMITOYL PROLINE, SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE, ARTEMISIA CAPILLARIS EXTRACT, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, NYMPHAEA ALBA FLOWER EXTRACT, OCTANEDIOL, PINUS PINASTER BARK EXTRACT

Sunscreen 35 ml / 1.18 fl oz

COSRX (Korean retail): ₩15,000
oo35mm: USD $17.99
YesStyle: USD $16.90
Style Korea: USD $16.50

Packaging

An opaque squeeze tube with a pointed nozzle tip. It is slightly see-through when held up against a bright light. My new tube of sunscreen did not come with an inner seal, but that seems rare for tubes with the pointier dispensers. The expiration date is stamped into the top crimp for an easy reminder. I appreciate that COSRX includes full Korean and English information on their box packaging, at the very least, yet it isn't a complete surprise since they do cater to a huge international fan base.

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

When first squeezed out of the tube, the sunscreen looks like a very lightweight lotion. It has the spreadability of lotion as well and doesn't feel like the typical pastes that are of typical Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide products. However, the sunscreen starts to show the less desirable attributes when used in larger amounts or in multiple layers (i.e. slight tug, takes some time to fully work in, leave a white cast).

Shield Fit All Green is true on its words and does leave a soft matte finish. This looks great on skin that is free of dry patches and textural issues (scabbing acne, blackheads, whiteheads, etc.) because the sunscreen will catch onto everything and look cakey. It has a very strong Hong Kong style milk tea scent to it that lingers for a while.

How I Apply

To be clear, I am not advertising this as the "correct" amount to apply for sufficient SPF 50 protection.

Squeeze a line of sunscreen onto my index, middle, and ring fingers. Use my other hand and warm up/spread the product only between the fingers to create an even layer. Pat across my face and neck until it is well distributed. Lightly swipe to help it blend it and rid any streaks.

Squeeze a line of sunscreen onto my index finger. Directly pat and rub it onto my left cheek until well blended. Repeat for my right cheek. Repeat for the forehead. Repeat for the neck and chest.

Thoughts & Recommendations

One reason why I did not mind using this sunscreen in my routine is due to the milk tea scent. I don't know about anyone else but it smells great to me. Even my friends who gave it a whiff agree! It stays for a while yet isn't overpowering or too artificial. It also completely masks the stereotypically bad sunscreen odor.

The biggest reasons why I continue to reach for the product often is because it offers high UVA and UVB protection, doesn't budge on my skin, and thus does not find its way to my eyes (no stinging or teary eyes). Of course, I have to consider reapplication if I sweat a lot or get my skin wet. Otherwise, my face stays matte a longer portion of the day and the color makeup on my face doesn't fade as quickly.

Even though COSRX says this sunscreen does not leave a white cast, I would beg to differ. That is also the main reason why I don't enjoy using it a full 100%. There is, of course, no white cast if I apply a light layer (one finger lengths worth for my entire face and neck). Once that second line of UV filtration is introduced the white cast makes an appearance. It isn't the easiest product to layer up either because it dries very matte and will start to look cakey on drier/flaky/not-well-moisturized skin. To be fair, though this doesn't have the worst white cast in comparison to a lot of other Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide based items.

The biggest gripe everyone seems to have, including me, is the fact that a tube of sunscreen is only 35 ml. At close to USD $16-18 per tube, the Shield Fit All Green Comfort Sun is very pricey. It is a great size for tossing into a makeup pouch and is very travel-friendly but I don't think it is reapplication friendly so being able to easily carry it around is not a helpful point. If the proper amount is used every application, one tube will not last long. I almost did not want to like it at all purely because it would be expensive to keep repurchasing.

On the grand scheme of things, COSRX's take on a "mineral" sunscreen is not terrible. It definitely isn't the worst. The texture is lightweight and spreadable. The scent is pleasant. But for a brand that seems to do no wrong in the skincare world, Shield Fit All Green didn't hit all the marks for me for my most ideal sunscreen. Maybe my skin isn't oily or well-exfoliated enough to fully enjoy its matte texture? Maybe I am over applying sunscreen and not knowing it so there is such a bad white cast? Maybe my expectations were set a little too high?

I personally wouldn't repurchase it based on quantity and price alone. Those two attributes aside, the Shield Fit All Green would work well for those who don't mind a slight white cast, wear colored makeup overtop often, or just tend to apply smaller amounts of sunscreen. People who have oilier skin and like a matte look would also like this more.