Review | Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence SPF50+


Hello everyone! 
I'm looooooong overdue for an update. The last time I wrote, I talked about a face cleanser from Simple, and that was around a month ago. It's now September, and before I proceed with my #11 empties, here's a review of the sunscreen that I've been loving lately.

Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence- a sunscreen that really does feel more like a moisturiser when it goes onto my skin. I like it for daily use. Originally I was going to buy another Korean brand sunscreen but most of them were nearing RM60 without a sale and I didn't really want to spend that much. So I tried to find something that was easy to get at our local pharmacies. 

Description
For your information, Sunkiller is a sub-brand under Kiss Me Cosmetic and both are produced by a Japanese company called Isehan Co. Ltd. Other notable brands from Isehan include Heroin Make, Heavy Rotation, Liftiv, and Kissme-ferme. Here's what Kiss Me Cosmetics Malaysia has to say about the Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence sunscreen, 


Claims
1) A super UV-blocking formula
This product blocks both UVA and UVB, therefore preventing the generation of spots and freckles caused by UV ray exposure.
2) Water based formula:
Contains a greater percentage of water, spreads effortlessly like water and melts quickly into the skin, leaving skin feeling moist and light.
3) 86% Moisturising Ingredients:
Giving a long-lasting moisturising effect and prevent the skin dryness caused by the effect of UV. Contains Vitamin C (whitening effect), Vitamin E (anti-ageing) and 3 types of hyaluronic acid ingredients. 



How To Use
After skincare, spread an appropriate amount evenly over the face (0.33 g, about 2cm circle). Can also be used as a makeup base.

How I Use
Only the Sunkiller sunscreen after cleansing my face in the morning. Usually, I will skip moisturiser or any topical creams underneath (which, I'll explain more about it later). I apply makeup after the 15-20 minutes waiting time. I use 1/4 tablespoon in one go. 

Packaging
The squeeze tube is no frills and quite simple, plus the sky blue colour for it is cute. I think it matches the concept of Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence being a water-based sunscreen. The dispensing nozzle is neat and so far I see no spilling. 


Ingredients
The one I have here is the 2014 formulation. Sunkiller has an improved 2016 formulation where they omit the alcohol content so that the sunscreen is gentler and moisturising on the skin. 


Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Polysorbate 70, Sodium Dilauramido Glutamate Lysine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Oleate, Fragrance, Ammonium Acryloydimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Tocopherol, T-Butyl alcohol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. 

Ingredient Analysis
....which I'm just going to talk a few, not all. 

-First and foremost, this is a combination between organic and inorganic sunscreen. The organic sun filters in this sunscreen coming from Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S groups. Meanwhile, Titanium Dioxide is an inorganic sun filter. People (including myself, previously) often categorised Titanium Dioxide as a physical filter. However, recently I've been reading one of the latest research where there shouldn't be any "chemical" and "physical" sunscreen/sunblock category. I will explain more about this later in a separate educational post.

-The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of this sunscreen is SPF50+, while the PA index is PA++++.

-Noted that the sunscreen is originated from Japan. Therefore, if I'm not mistaken, they don't have the regulation of separating active and inactive ingredients on body label just like in the US do. Active sunscreen filters are as below:
1) Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
2) Uvinul A Plus (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate)
3) Tinosorb S (Bis-etylhexyloyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine)
4) Titanium Dioxide

-I'm already familiar with all the sun filters except for Uvinul A Plus. In fact, Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence is my first sunscreen that has this specific ingredient. The maximum concentration (%) allowed by Japanese Cosmetic Regulation for Uvinul A Plus is 10%, making anything below 'diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate' in the ingredients are less than 10%. 

-Just like I've mentioned in my previous sunscreen review, Tinosorb S is yet to be approved by FDA, so you won't be finding this product in the US markets.

-Alcohol is listed as the third main ingredient. Japan allowed Octinoxate to be not more than 20%, so gotta admit, the alcohol content is probably still quite high in the formulation. They didn't state specifically what kind of alcohol but my bet is on denatured alcohol. I know a lot of us is not keen with this ingredient in a skincare formulation due to dryness and irritation. However, sometimes alcohol is needed for a better formulation (such as dissolving active sun filters) and also help in certain ingredients to enhance better. My advice is to patch test, if the sunscreen doesn't irritate you, then go for it! :D
Again, please note that the updated 2016 version of Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence doesn't have alcohol in it. 

-Pentylene Glycol acts as a humectant (retaining and preserving moisture). It's one of the ingredients that giving the moisturising effect to the sunscreen. Sunkiller also claimed to include 3 types of hyaluronic acids, but they are nuuuuuunnn jauh kebawah tu so macam tak significant je lol. Anyway... let me just say that the formulation is full of emollients, humectants, and moisturising agents. 

-Fragrance is present. Good for those who prefer their sunscreen to be scented but not the best choice for certain people that have sensitive skin. Again, my advice is to patch test. Pakai sikit2 dulu, kalau okay baru commit 1 muka pun boleh.

-Tocopherol is Vitamin E, mainly known as an antioxidant and also preservative. Vitamin C is also present through Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, which is already chemically modified for it to be in a stable form because pure vitamin c (l-ascorbic acid) is highly and annoyingly unstable.


Trial Period
Two months. Daily. I live in a hot, sunny and humid country. Not sure why did I write that. 

Consistency and Texture
Slightly yellowish gel texture. This has thin and watery moisturiser feeling cream that is not so lightweight but easy to work into the skin. The fluid is non greasy but it's sticky just by a little tiny bit upon applying it. Instead of sticky, I'd like to call it moisturising! It's just feel like you're putting a water based day/night cream.


Scent
Mild citrusy scent. I think it smells great, a bit like mandarin orange.

Application
Instant cooling sensation! Summer sunscreen anyone? :D
It spreads well and even. With the recommended amount of sunscreen, it takes up to 5 minutes for it to sink. It's not the fastest though but then again, if you look at the ingredients, Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence is packed with a lot of moisturising agents, which I personally believe is the reason why it takes some times to set. Keep in mind whenever you want to apply a sunscreen, it's best to let it dry for at least 15 minutes (as recommended by AADbefore putting any topical creams or makeup on top. This is because sunscreen filters take some time for them to distribute themselves within the upper layer of stratum corneum

Finish
Cosmetically elegant; no white cast. The finishing is close to matte. If I'd to compare with previous sunscreens I've reviewed, this sits between Uriage HYSEAC Fluid (mattifying) and Bio-essence Miracle Bio Water Sunscreen. Also, remember when I said Uriage Hyseac feels like a moisturiser? Well this too, but the Uriage one is more like a cream moisturiser whilst this Sunkiller is comparable to gel, water-based moisturiser. 

Verdict
I have only seen this product at Watsons with the price around RM20+ (I couldn't remember but not more than RM30? gotta run back to Watsons to check it haha) and for a 50 grammes bottle, I think it's affordable. The sunscreen gives great moisture to the skin whilst protecting it from sun rays. As you can see from the formulation, this product is generously packed with moisturising agents. No doubt on that, it's so freaking extremely moisturising.  

If you're someone like me, who likes to only apply sunscreen without the underneath topical creams or lotions (because I want to avoid the waiting time. Sunscreen is best to apply on a dry skin and I also don't want any chemicals or active ingredients from lotions inhibit the effectiveness of the sunscreen phew I said I'm going to explain, so here it is), I feel like this stuff is great as a 2 in 1 product - sunscreen and moisturiser.

I also do like how it feels on my skin and how well it works under my makeup. It seems like a good base and doesn't leave any white cast either like the previous sunscreen I've reviewed. Once it settled into the skin, it doesn't feel greasy and for my skin, I personally find that the formulation isn't pore clogging and irritating. No raising bumps detected! LOVE!

Personal Rating
9.5/10. Minus 0.5 until I get the one with a better formulation.

Would I Repurchase?
100% yes.

Buy This If
You're looking for a super moisturising sunscreen without breaking the bank. Best suits for dry skin. It's super affordable and can be easily found at our local Watsons. Yang mana tak suka greasy2 feeling tu, boleh try sunscreen yang ni. It's a water based!

Skip This If
You're not keen with the formulation. I really don't have anything bad to say with the sunscreen.


Product Info;

Name: Perfect Water Essence SPF50+
Brand: SUNKILLER
Type: Sunscreen
Country of Origin: Japan
Content: 50 grams
Shelf life: They didn't say.....or they did, but I couldn't understand Japanese. The expired date of my sunscreen here is March 2020. o___o
Limited Edition: No, they did release a limited packaging in 2015, though. 

Price: TBA
Availability (Malaysia): Only available at Watsons Pharmacies
Links : 
Kiss Me by Isehan Malaysia Official Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/KissMeMY/
Isehan Official Website: http://www.isehan.co.jp/

Do you have a favourite budget sun protection product you like to use? Feel free to share in the comment box below. As always, thank you so much for reading! :D

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CONVERSATION

9 Comments :

Sally Samsaiman said...

I don't actually use anything in my face..hahahaha..kinda awkward LOL

Farah A. Fir said...

It almost reminds me of Biore UV Perfect Face Milk! but I don't use it anymore :B

Fatimah Samihah said...

seems like a good sunscreens. but me hate waiting for 20 minutes before going out. this one reminds me hada labo uv gel.

ieyra h. said...

I'd love too! but I don't think sunscreen is something that I would skip, hehe

ieyra h. said...

Yes, me too! Not everyday I have the 20 minutes waiting time, but it's definitely needed so the sunscreen would form a homogenous film and later won't be swept too much during makeup application. :D

ieyra h. said...

I've actually heard so many good things about Biore UV Sunscreen, would love to try it! Why didn't you use it anymore? :o

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Hani Shafiza Mohd Husin said...

i love it! i dah pakai almost 2 years now. Tak berminyak berbanding dgn produk yg lain. Sangat ringan.