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KA
Kao

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ Botanical Peony Edition

SPF 50+ · PA++++ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that disappear on skin. TW Taiwan global Formulation variant: global. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Truncated LOI with ethanol and octinoxate at top; conservative health-safety given large unidentified fraction.

◐ CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin.
59.6
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1357 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Truncated LOI with ethanol and octinoxate at top; conservative health-safety given large unidentified fraction.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

An SPF 50+ PA++++ watery essence in a globally distributed Botanical Peony edition, with a short disclosed INCI of water, ethanol, octinoxate, and ethylhexyl triazone. The light filter set leans on ETZ for stabilization since further actives aren't shown.

Pros
  • Includes ethylhexyl triazone for stable UVB coverage
  • Fragrance-free per the listed INCI
  • Light watery essence texture for daily wear
  • SPF 50+ PA++++ claim for high protection
Cons
  • Disclosed INCI is truncated, limiting full assessment
  • Ethanol high in the formula can be drying
  • Octinoxate is a legacy UVB filter
  • No dedicated UVA filter visible in the listed INCI

Who it's for: Buyers wanting a lightweight, fragrance-free Japanese-style essence sunscreen and comfortable with a sparse INCI disclosure.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 81
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 75
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 30
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 65
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 72
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 40
02 Composition · key UV filters 2 filters resolved
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
Octinoxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Uvinul T 150 Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
No
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Essence
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
No
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 4 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 1 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 1 WATCH 0
Water· Alcohol Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts. · Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature. · Ethylhexyl Triazone Uvinul T 150 — high-efficiency UVB filter.
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Water Water
02 Alcohol ALCOHOL Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts.
03 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature.
04 Ethylhexyl Triazone MODERN FILTER Uvinul T 150 — high-efficiency UVB filter.