This post contains affiliate links. Product provided by Isntree.
I can skip a lot of things - my morning coffee, putting on makeup, even breakfast if I must, but I never skip sunscreen. Even before I got into elaborate kbeauty routines, I used a daily SPF lotion - my fair, freckle-prone skin burns so quickly. Back when I was a teenager, the options were slim - either greasy, sticky, sunscreen-smelling creams (typically reserved for the beach) or more cosmetically elegant face lotions that only offered SPF15-18 (not enough, but better than nothing). I’m so happy that we have tons of SPF50 options now without the drawbacks of sunscreens of my youth. Thank you, kbeauty and jbeauty!
One of my recent SPFs is Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++, available on YesStyle (reward code KBHOBBIT), Amazon, Stylevana (code INF10KBH), Jolse, StyleKorean, and eBay. This sunscreen is formulated with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin and protect it from the sun without any white cast or stickiness.
How to use
Apply evenly to the face, neck, and any other exposed areas at the end of your morning routine (30 mins before sun exposure)
Reapply throughout the day
The formula uses all chemical filters and has no white cast, as promised. It’s often hard for me to truly comment on the white cast since I’m so fair (so most things look fine on my skin), but this formula appears to be truly clear and spreads very easily. Out of the tube, it looks like a white cream, but goes on clear like a gel and feels light and airy.
The finish is dewy but not sticky. I use Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel around my eyes (and all over the face / neck / ears) without any issues, even if I work out and sweat. I don’t notice a strong scent or anything that lingers.
My impressions
This is a good sunscreen with a pleasant formula and feel. It’s a little more dewy than I personally like, but I top most SPFs with a translucent powder anyway, so it’s not a deal breaker by any means. The most important thing for me is that this isn’t greasy / sticky, and I can deal with the finish.
I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and dry/normal cheeks. Isntree Watery Sun Gel works well all over, and I typically use it as my only morning moisturizer (right after vitamin C serum). I’m happy to report that it doesn’t make my t-zone greasy and doesn’t dry out the rest of my face either.
I don’t necessarily look for skin benefits in sunscreen (aside from the obvious protection against UV rays), but I also realize that some people with very dry or sensitive skin may appreciate the addition of things like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. And since I often use SPF as my only morning moisturizer, I also enjoy knowing that it could do a little extra for me on top of sunscreen duties.
Overall, I’m happy with the formula. To truly be a HG for me, it would need to have a more matte finish, but it’s fine as is and I can work around the dewiness.
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Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceteth-10, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Decyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin