Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF50+ PA+++

12:12:00 AM mandy 0 Comments

Perhaps I am one of the last few Asian/Korean beauty enthusiasts to try Etude House's Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF50+ PA+++? Reviews on sites such as Amazon and YesStyle have hundreds if not thousands of positive opinions for it. All of which gives hope for a pleasant feeling "physical" sunscreen when so many products on the market dampen that dream. As for me, this deserves the label of being my most favorite inorganic sunscreen I have tried in recent memory.




Etude House's description:

A non-sticky & no turbidy UV milk that provides long-lasting UV protection with 100% mineral based mild ingredients for sensitive skin.

1. No turbidy: Anti-greasy & sticky for smooth application while protecting UV without turbidy.
2. 100% Mineral Filter: Softly applied on sensitive skin
3. Vegetability: Made of dwarf ground sedge extract, aloe vera, portulaca oleracea extract to protect skin from UV safely.

Containing 20 kinds of vegetable ingredients to protect skin from UV perfectly.

- Dwarf ground sedge extract & Sunflower seeds for UV protection
- Acai berry & Acerola to reinforce vitality of skin
- Portulaca oleracea, Centella asiatica, & Mistletoe leaves to relax skin
- Aloe vera, Cactus, & Hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin

Directions
After skin care, apply to sun exposed areas of the face/body and massage for skin to absorb into skin.
Often layer several times in case of exposing skin to UV occasionally.

Ingredients
WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ZINC OXIDE, ALCOHOL, DICAPRYLYL ETHER, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, VISCUM ALBUM (MISTLETOE) LEAF EXTRACT, PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA EXTRACT, CAREX HUMILLIS ROOT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) FRUIT OIL, CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEEL OIL, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL, PINUS SYLVESTRIS LEAF OIL, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) OIL, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL, EUTERPE OLERACEA FRUIT EXTRACT, MALPIGHIA EMARGINATA (ACEROLA) FRUIT EXTRACT, TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA FRUIT EXTRACT, ECHIUM PLANTAGINEUM SEED OIL, ADANSONIA DIGITATA SEED OIL, HYALURONIC ACID, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM FLOWER/LEAF/VINE EXTRACT, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL UNSAPONIFIABLES, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, CYCLOMETHICONE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, METHICONE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, OCTYLDODECANOL, DIMETHICONE, STEARIC ACID, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, POLYGLYCERYL-6 POLYRICINOLEATE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, CELLULOSE GUM

Sunscreen 55 ml / 1.85 fl oz

Etude House (Korean retail): ₩11,000
Etude House (US retail): USD $13.20
oo35mm: USD $16.99
OHLOLLY: USD $14.50
YesStyle: USD $11.90
RoseRoseShop: USD $9.74

Packaging

A lightweight plastic bottle with a screw on cap and pointed dispenser tip. The product squeezes out easily and I think there wouldn't be a problem getting through every last drop. The bottle of sunscreen I bought came sealed in a shrink-wrapped plastic layer with an ingredient label stuck on the outside; I am not sure if this is how it is sold in Korea but I appreciate that it has minimal stuff.

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

The sunscreen is true to its ingredients, Titanium Dioxide & Zinc oxide, in the sense that it is very white in color. Thankfully it doesn't come with the dreaded thick and pasty texture typically associated with those two filters. The Sunprise Mild Airy Finish is runny and fluid. It spreads out well without any tugging required. It has a smooth satin finish when blended and a powdery matte, but not drying, finish once the sunscreen completely sets into the skin. It is not tacky and doesn't have much transfer when touched. There is a light citrus scent that disappears quickly.

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 finger. Lightly dap the product to spread it evenly across one cheek. Once it looks to be a thin, uniform layer I use light swipes and strokes to blend the product in well until I see no white streaks. Repeat steps for the other cheek, then forehead, and lastly neck.

Note: I apply in sections rather than smoothing everything at once all over my face to not give the sunscreen a chance to set before it is fully blended in.

Thoughts & Recommendations

Mild may be in the name but for those who avoid or are sensitive to silicones, alcohol, and/or essential oils may want to tread with caution. I haven't noticed any negative skin reactions to this particular product myself but it is worth noting for someone else.

One of the most important attributes I look for in a sunscreen is whether it stings or irritates my eyes after application and/or throughout the day with wear. Even with alcohol being the 4th ingredient on the list, my skin and especially my eyes are not bothered at all with the Sunprise Mild Airy Finish sunscreen. It doesn't even have a noticeable alcohol scent. Both were, honestly, my biggest fears before even purchasing a bottle. That being said I apply the product up to my undereye area and try to avoid the eyelid space entirely just to be extra cautious.

As long as my eyes are undisturbed, things like a white cast are bearable up to a certain point. I don't want to look like pasty and ghostly yet a slight tone up isn't overly embarrassing for me. Luckily with this sunscreen, neither are an issue since the sunscreen leaves the teeniest white cast on my skin tone. It doesn't even look like much after applying makeup over top. However! This only applies if I smooth the sunscreen in well. If I leave it to set with any white streaks unblended, it will dry and leave white patches and streaks because I assume the alcohol is evaporating and just leave the filters to sit as they are.

I think what really sets this Etude House sunscreen apart from any other inorganic, "physical" sunscreen I have tried is the texture and finish. It is rare to find something so liquid, lightweight, and non-drying yet matte in that category of UV protection. While I wouldn't consider this to be a moisturizing sunscreen, it doesn't dry my skin out either. It does have a tendency to cling onto dry patches and lines though. It also gets a little drier throughout the day in said areas. On the other hand, in places I am oilier, my face doesn't look overly oily either. The best balance, I guess, is to just ensure I am well moisturized and exfoliated to reap the best effects with the sunscreen.

The best consequential attribute of inorganic sunscreens is their ability to be pretty water resistant. For me, this means it lasts well through day-to-day wear and holds my makeup well. One would ideally reapply but I take that as a sign my sunscreen is still somewhat intact. The Sunprise Mild Airy Finish seems to last well through sweat and water as I still need a good cleanser (whether it be balm, oil, gel, foam, etc.) to remove the sunscreen.

Even if I do buy other sunscreens to try for my face, I can see myself repurchasing this particular Etude House sunscreen just to use on my neck, chest, and body. It feels almost as if I haven't applied anything yet providing full UVA and UVB protection. I would recommend this for most skin types. The only exceptions would be those who have sensitivities to the mentioned ingredients and those who have very stubborn dry patches and skin texture issues.