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While summer’s over for most of us, it doesn’t really stop us from getting sun exposure. I still get quite a shock when friends tell me they don’t use sunscreen at all. I mean, WHY? But that’s also my cue to introduce them to the wonderful world of Asian sunscreens, including the Missha All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk.
Missha’s All-Around Safe Block sunscreen range comes in different finishes and consistencies, like essence, gel, milk, waterproof, velvet, soft, mild, etc. The Safe Block Essence Sun Milk is distinctively packaged, with a metallic green cap that has a ridged, clamshell-inspired design, and the minty green color of its bottles which come in 70ml and 40ml sizes. The Sun Milk has SPF50+ PA+++, which means it can block both UVA and UVB rays. The 70ml bottle currently retails for US$18.90 on YesStyle.
When it comes to sunscreen, I still have to completely figure out the difference between gels and gel creams, essences and essence milks, but this version does have a milky consistency. It’s more fluid than creamy, light but not too runny. The bottle comes with a small nozzle which is perfect for dispensing the right amount and avoiding product wastage.
This particular sunscreen is designed to be hydrating and I’m happy to report that it lives up to that promise. Thanks to its lightweight texture, it sinks in fast and doesn’t leave a white cast. The ingredients list the UV filters first, followed by some herbal extracts like aloe vera, lemon, chrysanthemum and others sprinkled all the way down to the bottom. I’m not averse to having alcohols in the ingredients because they’re mostly for stabilizing the formula and allow for a quicker dry-down, which this sunscreen does splendidly. I usually apply it on my arms first and in less than three minutes, it’s dry!
Source: Missha US website
COSDNA Ingredient Analysis
Is it hydrating like it claims to be? On my combination skin (oily-dry), it does seem so. Then again, I always apply a light layer of moisturizer prior to sunscreen since day-long exposure to air-conditioning tends to leave my face dry. The good thing is that this sunscreen plays well with my makeup as I seldom see it caking. In fact, compared to the latest edition of the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (which I also use), I find the Missha Safe Block Essence Sun Milk better since it doesn’t feel like it’s just sitting on top of my skin.
While it claims to be water- and sweat-resistant and can be used for outdoor sports, I can only say for sure that it does stand up to sweat in a high-humidity environment like Hong Kong. This is where its light finish also shines because reapplying it is so easy. My issues with this sunscreen are very few. One is the slight alcoholic scent, which dissipates quickly so it’s not that bothersome. The other is that the biggest size is only 70ml. Let the hoarding begin!