While sunscreen is often touted as the most important step in skincare, it’s pretty safe to say that many people (myself included) sometimes feel tempted to skip the step because of how hot and humid Singapore’s weather already is — nobody wants to feel and look like a hot, greasy mess!
So, in order to make sure our skincare efforts don’t go to waste because of the lack of sun protection, we’ve scoured the drugstores in Singapore like Watsons, Guardian, and even Don Don Donki and more to find the 7 best soothing Japanese sunscreens for a non-sticky and perfect translucent glowy finish!
1. Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50
First off, what a pretty name for sunscreen! With its watery gel texture and hydrating properties, Canmake’s Mermaid Skin Gel UV will leave your skin feeling refreshed and moisturised just like a mermaid princess.
For those who wear makeup, this sunscreen also doubles as the perfect primer for the glassy, dewy look that’s trending right now.
PS: there’s also now a limited Cica Mint version that’s super cooling and perfect for Singapore’s hot weather!
2. Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence SPF 50
For the clean girl aesthetic girlies (and guys), Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence is the perfect pick for you.
On top of the deeply moisturising ingredients like royal jelly extract and butylene glycol to hydrate your skin as it protects it from the harmful UV rays, it is also formulated with translucent pearl powder to give you a subtly radiant glow (unlike some other ‘brightening’ sunscreens that only leave you with a nasty white cast!).
3. Kanebo Allie Gel Sunscreen UV EX SPF 50
Kanebo’s Allie Gel Sunscreen UV EX is probably one of the strongest contenders when it comes to searching for a highly effective all-rounded sunscreen.
Not only is it very sturdy on the skin (doesn’t rub off easily onto clothes, masks etc.), it’s also reef-safe, fragrance and colourant-free and acts as a shield for your skin against external pollutants like dust and dirt.
Oh, and it also contains hyaluronic acid to give you that much coveted glassy skin finish — so, what can’t this sunscreen do?
4. Hatomugi The UV Milky Gel SPF 50
If you’ve been keeping up with the skincare radar, then you probably know about the viral Hatomugi toner (which is not only really affordable, but very effective in minimising pores as well).
Being a huge fan of the toner, you can imagine my delight when I came across Hatomugi’s The UV Milky Gel sunscreen (which is also mad wallet-friendly).
Made with coix seed extract that helps to counter dehydration in the skin, this sunscreen is also lightweight and has a milky, gel texture to give you a dewy and non-sticky finish.
5. Sana Namerakahonpo Moisture UV Makeup Base SPF 40
Formulated with soybean milk just like most of the products in their line, the Sana Namerakahonpo Moisture UV Makeup Base is a chemical-free sunscreen that also acts as a makeup base and skincare lotion.
Other than protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, it also evens out your skin tone and prevents makeup from creasing and smudging so that you’ll look fresh and glowy all day long!
6. SUNPLAY Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel SPF 50
SUNPLAY is known mainly for their array of sun care products — they carry sunscreen milks, lotions, creams and the list goes on.
In Singapore’s humid tropical climate, the best product to use from them is probably the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel — a lightweight gel sunscreen that feels almost invisible on the skin.
Not only is it highly hydrating, it’s also formulated without fragrance, colourants, parabens, and all those nasty additives that aren’t great for the skin!
7. Hada Labo UV Perfect Gel SPF 50
Hada Labo is just one of those brands that we often see around in drugstores, and if you haven’t tried out their products yet, then you’re missing out.
While they’re more known for their skincare products like facial wash and toners, they have a really great but underrated sunscreen as well — the Hada Labo Perfect Gel SPF 50.
Packaged in a simple blue tub, this one really just looks like a moisturiser, so it’s easy to miss — but it’s actually a highly moisturising all-in-one sun care product that has both the properties of a moisturiser AND a sunscreen.
Not to mention, the finish is also very weightless and non-greasy — perfect for any skin type.
And there you have it — the 7 best soothing Japanese sunscreens that you can get in drugstores in Singapore. There’s no excuse not to apply your sunscreens now!
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