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Writer's pictureK Beauty Hobbit

Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream Review

Updated: Mar 25, 2021


As a pale, sun-aware person prone to freckles, I am always using some sort of sun protection, during any time of the year and in any weather. Even on my laziest days, I may skip all the skincare steps and all makeup, but I won’t set foot outside without sunscreen. Because of that, I finish bottles and try new ones regularly.

Today I offer you a review of Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream SPF49 PA++. This is a non-irritating, mineral sunscreen from a line designed for sensitive skin (I’ve reviewed emulsion from that line before, read that here). The product is available in different sizes on* eBay, Amazon and YesStyle (use reward code KBHOBBIT for extra savings).

Most of us have probably already heard of SPF (sun protection factor), but what is PA? It’s based on a Persistent Pigmentation Darkening test, which measures how much UVA a person can be exposed to without tanning/skin darkening. The range is from + to ++++. In short - higher SPF and more “+”s after the PA mean higher protection against the sun. The PA of Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream is ++, right in the middle of the possible range.

How to use:

  1. Apply at the last step of skincare

  2. Follow with makeup, if using

  3. At the end of the day, be sure to remove with cleansing oil or balm and not just a foaming cleanser.


My impressions:

I have mixed feelings about this product, because it has many, many pros, but also a couple of cons. I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and dry-to-normal cheeks. Breakouts happen, but not often and not severely. For me, Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream is a purely Fall/Winter product that replaces a cream. It would be too heavy in the warmer months. I also prefer a matte finish to the skin, which this cream doesn’t provide. However, that’s very easily fixed with a light dusting of translucent powder. I put together a quite subjective list of pros and cons for your reading pleasure.

Pros:

  • 100% mineral protection

  • High SPF of 49

  • No white cast (I have fair skin, perhaps this isn’t the case for deeper tones)

  • Low-irritant formula perfect for those with sensitivities

  • All non-sunblock ingredients rated 1-2/non-toxic on EWG database

  • Skin-loving components like madecassoside, green tea extract, and panthenol

  • Can easily replace cream for normal to oily skin

  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Could be too heavy for oily/combination skin

  • PA++, fine for Fall/Winter but I prefer +++ or ++++ for Summer

Verdict: The pros win. If you have normal to dry skin and want to avoid potentially harmful chemical filters while also sparing your wallet, then this is a great option. And if you are prone to dryness in the winter, definitely check it out as I find it to be quite nourishing and moisturizing.

For more options, read my other sunscreen reviews here.

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Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream Ingredients: WATER / AQUA / EAU, DIMETHICONE, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ZINC OXIDE (NANO), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, LAURYL POLYGLYCERYL-3 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, DISTEARDIMONIUM

HECTORITE, SILICA, TRISILOXANE, PANTHENOL, AMINOPROPYL DIMETHICONE,

SODIUM CHLORIDE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, POLYGLYCERYL- 3 DIISOSTEARATE, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, ALUMINUM STEARATE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, STEARIC

ACID, ALUMINA, C12-15 ALCOHOLS, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, MADECASSOSIDE, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT

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