Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
SK
SK-II

Genoptics Airy UV Cream Untinted SPF 50+ PA++++

SPF 50+ · PA++++ Tinted Iron-oxide pigment masks white cast with a sheer skin-tone finish. JP Japan jp-domestic Formulation variant: jp-domestic. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Alcohol-free but fragranced, with octinoxate plus methyl/propylparaben preservation; airy SK-II texture is cosmetically refined.

◉ HYB Hybrid filters Hybrid filters — Combines mineral and chemical filters for balance of protection and feel. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol). ● TINT Tinted Tinted — Adds sheer colour — covers white cast and gives a skin-tone finish.
63.6
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1222 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Alcohol-free but fragranced, with octinoxate plus methyl/propylparaben preservation; airy SK-II texture is cosmetically refined.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

Cream hybrid leaning on octinoxate, octocrylene, octisalate, and PBSA alongside TiO2 and Bemotrizinol. Niacinamide and Galactomyces ferment lift the base, but fragrance and methyl/propylparaben drag the safety profile down.

Pros
  • Niacinamide and Galactomyces ferment filtrate for skincare interest
  • TiO2 and Bemotrizinol add some modern UVA coverage
  • Cream texture with bisabolol for a calming feel
  • PA++++ rating from a broad filter blend
Cons
  • Contains octinoxate, an older filter with endocrine concerns
  • Octocrylene can degrade to benzophenone over time
  • Fragrance present per INCI — unsuitable for fragrance-sensitive skin
  • Methylparaben and propylparaben on the ingredient list

Who it's for: Buyers loyal to SK-II's Pitera-led skincare who want a cream SPF and accept an older filter set with fragrance.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 100
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 63
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 38
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 65
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 74
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 36
02 Composition · key UV filters 6 filters resolved
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
Octinoxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octocrylene Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octisalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
PBSA Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Titanium Dioxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
Bemotrizinol 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.
Hybrid
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
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.
Yes
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.
No
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.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 32 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 4 MINERAL FILTER 1 ADDED FRAGRANCE 1 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 2 ACTIVE 2
Water·Butylene Glycol·Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate· Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature. · Octocrylene Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time. ·Glyceryl Stearate·Cyclopentasiloxane· Ethylhexyl Salicylate Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated. · Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid PBSA · Titanium Dioxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. · Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable. ·Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer· Niacinamide Vitamin B3 — barrier + brightening. ·Cetyl Alcohol·Peg-100 Stearate·Phenoxyethanol·Acrylates Copolymer·Bisabolol·Sodium Hydroxide·Sodium Polyacrylate·Alumina· Methylparaben Paraben preservative. ·Sodium Benzoate·Xanthan Gum· Fragrance Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive. · Propylparaben Paraben preservative. ·Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate·Silica·Sodium Citrate· Tocopherol Vitamin E — antioxidant. ·Prunus Mume Fruit Extract·Brassica Napus Seed Oil
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Water Water
02 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
03 Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
04 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature.
05 Octocrylene LEGACY FILTER Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time.
06 Glyceryl Stearate Glyceryl Stearate
07 Cyclopentasiloxane Cyclopentasiloxane
08 Ethylhexyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated.
09 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid LEGACY FILTER PBSA
10 Titanium Dioxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
11 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine MODERN FILTER Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable.
12 Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
13 Niacinamide ACTIVE Vitamin B3 — barrier + brightening.
14 Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol
15 Peg-100 Stearate PEG-100 Stearate
16 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol
17 Acrylates Copolymer Acrylates Copolymer
18 Bisabolol Bisabolol
19 Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide
20 Sodium Polyacrylate Sodium Polyacrylate
21 Alumina Alumina
22 Methylparaben WATCH Paraben preservative.
23 Sodium Benzoate Sodium Benzoate
24 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
25 Fragrance ADDED FRAGRANCE Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive.
26 Propylparaben WATCH Paraben preservative.
27 Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
28 Silica Silica
29 Sodium Citrate Sodium Citrate
30 Tocopherol ACTIVE Vitamin E — antioxidant.
31 Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
32 Brassica Napus Seed Oil Rapeseed Oil