Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 01/30/2022, and another independently sourced sample 8/27/2022.
*NOTE: I rewrote a lot of this article on 8/30/2022 because I made a HUGE mistake (this was one of my first articles, please forgive me!). I had initially believed this sunscreen was the Biore Aqua Rich watery essence (as I cant easily read the bottle ingredients), when in fact it was the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel product. I double checked both product sample bottles and confirmed. Article below contains updated product info, data, and ingredients.
The Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel is one of those super popular word of mouth sunscreen lotions talked about by asian women the world renown. Why asian women? Because I only know the people mentioning this sunscreen to me happen to be asian women. Truth be told, one asian man told me to retest this sunscreen, but that’s neither here nor there. I don’t know why I am even writing this, one too many martinis maybe.
In this Biore Aqua Rich SPF 50 PA++++ Watery Gel lotion, I test the sunscreen lotion using my UV testing station. This particular product takes a hybrid approach to the UV filtering formula as it uses Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Bisethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate.
Given the exotic UV-filters, I found the Biore watery gel sunscreen provided terrible UV protection compared to other sunscreen products I’ve tested. I was also perplexed at the results given that Biore’ is typically a brand recognized for its high product quality and that all the asian moms and women over 30 love this lotion (Gasp! How could you! I blame the martinis).
Testing results showed the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50 only reduced measured UVI by 53.46%, UVA irradiance by 53.68%, and UVB intensity by 49.60%. I would consider these scores as terrible. In fact, if you used this sunscreen on a high UV index day, you would probably begin to burn within 15-25 minutes.
Testing a second sample of the Biore Watery Gel cult favorite
Given the bad results from the first test and given the insane cult following of this sunscreen (so many people couldn’t be wrong, right!?), I thought it pertinent to source a different sample and see if I had maybe tested a bad sample. Unfortunately, the second sample from a completely different bottle tested just about the same, with poopy-poo-poop results.
For this second test the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel had slightly higher test results, but still only reduced measured UVI by 57.98%, UVA irradiance by 54.96%, and UVB intensity by 52.70%. A deviation from the first test by only 1-5%, still a badly performing sunscreen lotion.
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50 PA++++ ingredients
Active ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Bisethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Inactive ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Lauryl Methacrylate/ Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Xylitol, Dextrin Palmitate, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, C4-14 Perfluoroalkylethoxy Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Agar, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Stearoxy PG-Hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate, Glutamic Acid, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Maltose, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Royal Jelly Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Fragrance.
Manufacturers Website: www.kao.com
It seems the name brand or importer of this product overseas is Kao and not Biore’ as it is here in the US. Is Kao the parent holding company of the Biore’ brand? I am unsure.
Biore Aqua Rich PA++++ characteristics at a glance:
- Broad Spectrum (has SPF50 and PA++++ ratings)
- Hybrid chemical and physical UV filters
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Unique Aqua Micro Capsules
- Viscosity: Medium to thin
Prepared slide ready for testing TEST 1 (01/30/22)
The viscosity of the the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel is medium to thin, but it ends up spreading very thinly. If used on the skin I doubt it would hold up to much physical activity.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
Prepared slide ready for testing TEST 2 (08/27/22)
Since starting this website, my sample pics have gotten much better. Also, what’s interesting is that both these samples have this weird tilt of the slide cover (consistency!). I distinctly remember applying the covers for both tests square to the slide. Must be something in the sunscreen formulation. Bad looking Titanium Dioxide distribution though, like looking into a starfield going warp speed.
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel TEST 1 results (01/30/22)
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel TEST 2 results (08/27/22)
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
Biore’ Aqua Rich SPF50 test 1 results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 75.56 | 76.27 | |
| UVA | 24730.5 | 11455.75 | 53.68% |
| UVB | 1265.5 | 637.75 | 49.60% |
| UVI | 14.535 | 6.77 | 53.46% |
Biore’ Aqua Rich SPF50 test 2 results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 88.75 | 89.5 | |
| UVA | 21837 | 9836.2 | 54.96% |
| UVB | 1193.5 | 564.5 | 52.70% |
| UVI | 13.85 | 5.82 | 57.98% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
This particular sunscreen provides very little protection from ultraviolet irradiance as evidenced by the terrible test results (test 1 and test 2). I had high hopes for the Biore (or Kao) Aqua Rich Watery Gel not only because it contained both exotic chemical UV filters and a physical UV filter, but because of the strong recommendations from people who have used it themselves. Despite its great feel, I cannot recommend this sunscreen because of its weak UV protection.
If a sunscreen is so inconsistent in its protection then just look for another. There are so many offerings on the market which contain quality formulations which are both consistent and effective at blocking ultraviolet rays.
Want to try Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50 PA++++?
This sunscreen will not protect your skin. While it spreads nicely and almost feels like aloe vera gel, it will not provide much protection from UVA, UVB, and ultimately will not reduce the resultant UV index which reaches your skin. I would recommend that you really stay away from this product as it looks to be a product which relies more on the brand than the Ultraviolet blocking formulation.
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Thank you for this review!! I’m wondering if other watery Japanese sunscreen also performs badly. Would you be doing testing on the Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel? That would be super helpful!
I would love to, thanks for the heads up! However I’ll need to find that sample from someone before I can test it!
Amazing review! The scientific accuracy is so beautiful I could weep. Completely anecdotally, I am not surprised at the results. I used this sunscreen for a few weeks when I was in Asia. However I noticed that I became very tanned/burned with it, so I never used it again, despite it being the most pleasant sunscreen I’ve ever used. I think I’ve learned that a sunscreen won’t have good protection until you look shiny and pale unfortunately!
Thank you for testing this product. It was very informative!
Thank you for this review, it’s pretty concerning and now I am worrying about my Japanese sunscreens.
I am currently using suncut perfect milk and nivea deep protect and care gel.
What I find interesting from your blog posts is that American sunscreen with the “outdated” filters like trader joe’s and the matte black girl sunscreen have superior protection.