Here are two sunscreens from Japanese sunscreen brand Bioré that I’ve been meaning to write about. These were bought in Malaysia, and they cost under $10. Aqua Rich Watery Essence has been talked about especially for its completely invisible formula, which greatly suits people of color. As I’m writing this review, I’ve come to the end of both and feel confident to share my thoughts.
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+
★★★★☆
This sunscreen has a formula unlike anything I’ve encountered before. The texture is tricky to describe, but the closest comparison would be the Dr. Jart Water Drop Moisturizer, if anyone remembers it. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence has a similar lightweight, water-gel feel. It glides effortlessly across the skin and absorbs nicely, leaving no stickiness behind.
Affordability
One of the standout features of this sunscreen is its price. If you’re visiting Asia, it’s a steal at around $6 for a 50g tube, making it an incredible deal for the quality.
That said, it’s worth noting that there are different versions of this sunscreen available, depending on the region. For example, the Malaysian version comes in a 50g size, while the Japanese original is often sold in larger sizes (70g and up). The Japanese version also claims to be water-resistant, which the Malaysian version does not. Although the formulas may differ slightly, I haven’t been able to confirm the exact variations. Keep this in mind when purchasing, especially if water resistance is important to you.
Transparency
This sunscreen takes transparency to the extreme, which comes with both advantages and drawbacks. On the positive side, it leaves absolutely no white cast — perfect for all skin tones and effortless reapplication. However, the complete transparency can make it challenging to see where you’ve applied it. Personally, I prefer sunscreens that start with a white creamy base and blend into a transparent finish, as this gives me more control during application. With this one, it’s easy to accidentally miss a spot or overapply in some areas. That said, this is more of a minor inconvenience than a dealbreaker.
Wearability
Thanks to its gel texture, this sunscreen is incredibly comfortable to wear. It feels light on the skin, making it suitable for daily use. It leaves a slightly dewy, almost oily finish, which might not be ideal for those with very oily skin.
Where To Buy
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Protect Lotion SPF50+
★★★☆☆
Despite being called a lotion, this sunscreen is more of a watery fluid. Its texture is similar to the La Roche Posay UVMune Invisible Fluid but even more watery. Unlike the Aqua Rich Watery Essence, this seems to be sold as a single version across regions, including the Malaysian version, which is water-resistant.
Affordability
Affordability is a clear highlight for this product. At around $10 for 70ml, it offers generous value for money. Plus, it’s both water and sweat-resistant, making it a practical option on paper.
Application Experience
While it has its advantages, the formula isn’t my favorite for a fluid sunscreen. The watery texture makes it somewhat tricky to dose and apply evenly on the skin. I found myself wishing for a more viscous texture that would provide better control during application.
Finish and Wearability
After application, the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Protect Lotion dries down to a moisturized — but sticky — finish. This could be a positive for those with very dry skin, but for me, it was uncomfortable in high humidity. Considering it’s marketed in humid climates, I found this stickiness surprising and less practical for summer use.
Instead, I ended up using it exclusively during the winter months in Sweden, where my skin didn’t feel overly moisturized. If the formula had dried to a non-sticky finish, I would’ve rated it higher.
Where To Buy
Conclusion
If the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence were more expensive, I probably wouldn’t consider repurchasing it. There are other sunscreens I generally prefer, especially since I lean toward creamy textures over water-gels or fluid formulations. The Bioré UV Aqua Rich Protect Lotion also fell short for me — it was overly watery, making application a bit tricky, and left my skin feeling unexpectedly sticky and humid. This was surprising, considering it’s marketed in a humid climate.
That said, both sunscreens do their job well when it comes to protecting the skin. They feel light, leave no white cast, work seamlessly under makeup, and I’ve had no issues with pilling or reapplication.
While I enjoyed using both products, I don’t find them essential to import, particularly for those living in Europe, where good, transparent sunscreens are already widely available. That said, if you’re a beauty enthusiast who enjoys testing different sunscreens, I can see the appeal. For everyone else, you’re not missing out on much — except, perhaps, the unfairly low price. After all, if there’s something these sunscreens have going for them, it’s the utter affordability.
— It’s worth mentioning that while I list the price as around $6–$10, many online retailers like YesStyle or Stylevana sell these at nearly double that. However, given how affordable they are to begin with, even the higher price doesn’t feel unreasonable.
