No. 05
in skincare
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How it works.
71% would recommend
Why we ranked it No. 5 in skincare
Sample
78 redditors with explicit opinion · 56 positive · 14 negative · 8 neutral
Score
0.738 — formula: 0.75 × % positive + 0.25 × pos/neg ratio
Confidence95% CI: 61–81% · the true approval rate falls in this range with 95% statistical confidence
Verdict
Highly Recommended — ≥65% positive across ≥7 redditors.
Sources
r/AsianBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddictionUK, r/KoreanBeauty + 6 more
Biore · skincare
Highly Recommended
UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
r/AsianBeautyr/SkincareAddictionr/30PlusSkinCarer/SkincareAddictionUKr/KoreanBeautyr/IndianSkincareAddicts
TL;DR — Reddit consensus
Japanese cult favorite with a lightweight, hydrating texture that layers under makeup. Some users report breakouts or inadequate tan protection.
What redditors love
+
Lightweight texture that doesn't feel greasy or heavy
“light, not greasy, no stinging, no alcohol scent galore like the regular blue one”
u/natashastri · r/AsianBeauty →
+
Hydrating formula that feels cooling on application
“This is the most hydrating sunscreen I've ever used. It feels cool when applied in summer”
u/WiseCardiologist3221 · r/AsianBeauty →
+
Layers well under makeup without pilling
“on makeup days, i use biore UV aqua rich essence followed with makeup”
u/seijurogouu · r/AsianBeauty →
+
Works for dry, tretinoin-treated skin without irritation
“I have dry, sensitive, mature skin and I use Tretinoin so I love products that are hydrating and protect my skin barrier. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen”
u/JennLnz · r/AsianBeauty →
What they don’t
−
Breaks out acne-prone skin despite sensitive formulation
“even the stuff recommended for sensitive skin like biore uv aqua sunscreen breaks me out terribly”
u/tronkus · r/SkincareAddictionUK →
−
May not provide adequate protection against tanning
“I am currently using Biore Uv and I don't think it's good enough to prevent tan”
u/Upandup12345 · r/IndianSkincareAddicts →
COMPARE WITH
Cheaper alternative
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Direct quotes
What 78 redditors actually said.
Top 6 by confidence shown — expand below for the rest. Click any to open the original on Reddit.
M
u/monsoon_logic
·
r/30PlusSkinCare
biore uv aqua rich is elite tier. i swear once you try japanese sunscreens its hard to go back.
W
u/WiseCardiologist3221
·
r/AsianBeauty
This is the most hydrating sunscreen I've ever used. It feels cool when applied in summer, and I think I'll keep using it for a long time.
T
u/tronkus
·
r/SkincareAddictionUK
even the stuff recommended for sensitive skin like biore uv aqua sunscreen breaks me out terribly
F
u/fruitsingularity
·
r/SkincareAddiction
Biore UV my true love that I make my relatives get me in Japan
K
u/kay_giirl
·
r/AsianBeauty
I have one of the unpopular opinions about Biore Watery Essence SPF because I *hate* that sunscreen on my skin.
Show all 78 mentions ↓
"Lightweight? Absolutely. Protective? Always. Greasy residue? Never heard of her. This sunscreen feels like nothing on the skin but works like a shield."
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"with me looking like an oil slick by the end of the day?
I currently use the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence and hate it! I know it's widely recommended on this sub, but it'"
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"I love the biore aqua rich essence sunscreen. I have a stash that is unopened but idk if it’s still good!"
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"CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50. I will never use anything else."
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"ing.
* Final Rating: -5/5 stars. NO. NO. NEVER AGAIN. NO.
4. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++
* Notes: I wasn't sure about this one, since it's an es"
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"Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence - still my sunscreen of choice after almost ten years and multiple refo"
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"I’ve been thinking about trying skin aqua! I use Biore UV Aqua Rich (and I LOVE IT) but it’s been hard to find, and I think skin aqua is a little l"
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"I'm not who you asked, but the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (SPF 50) is awesome and totally made me a sunscreen convert."
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"You all need to discover Asian sunscreens! Start from Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence or Gel and thank me later."
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"light shine on me, but I get oily after an hour of anything Maybe HG? 5/5 RP
**Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA ++++**: lightweight, slightly scented and contains alc"
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"Melano CC & Biore UV Aqua Rich FTW 🙌🏻"
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"on makeup days, i use biore UV aqua rich essence followed with makeup"
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"I mostly love it. Now I NEED to know: what other Asian sunscreens are amazing and worth buying?"
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"light, not greasy, no stinging, no alcohol scent galore like the regular blue one"
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"I use the biore uv watery essence as its not greasy and doesn't pill."
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"I buy nivea uv water gel and biore uv aqua essence for my face, doesn't leave me feeling shiny or greasy"
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"I am currently using Biore Uv and I don't think it's good enough to prevent tan"
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"The old one is SO much better. I'm definitely goin"
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"Completely different scent. Completely different texture. Disturbing."
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"Biore watery essence (NOT biore aqua rich) is my holy grail fyi, no cast."
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"Does the biore sunscreens ever get greasy for u? I get a lot of mixed reviews saying either it's greasy or dries down really well"
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"bad reaction to the North American formulation of the Biore sunscreen"
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"n under makeup? What’s your favourite spf that looks good under makeup?
I used Biore Aqua Rich but after the latest reformulation it pills.
The best I found so far is K Secr"
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"is causing redness ,please tell me on comments here! I have a suspiction about BIORE UV aqua sunscreen because its a chemical sunscreen and it seems to have some sort of al"
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"japan, do not miss the chance to buy the (for whatever reason) limited edition biore uv aqua rich airy hold cream. last year it was only sold from feb to sept. it is a favourite"
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"Which one did you try because the Biore UV watery essence works well for me and you see it everywhere in Japan for cheap. Got like 5 of t"
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"s mission. Only one I’ve found that’s truly good is the eltaMD Shield, with the biore uv perfect face milk being too drying. The problem with these matte finds is that they’re"
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"you tried so far ?
I don't breakout wit sunscreens but some are very heavy.. biore aqua rich watery essence is what I use because it's very light and basically like a serum"
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"ou need to find some spf that doesn’t break you out and this is very difficult, biore Aqua rich was the one for me.
Until you sure 100% about your cleanser, moisturizer and"
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"Seconding the Biore watery essence! I have to buy it on Amazon and it comes from Korea, so it takes a few weeks. T"
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"Glass skin 😍 What version of biore aqua rich sunscreen do you use?"
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"biore aquarich!!! the one i bought from japan has done wonders and I can't even feel"
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"orking delivering new vehicles (sunscreen + leather = a bad time \*unless using Biore watery essence\*).
My dermatologist was the one who pointed out the UV from lighting and"
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"eak out. I’ve found 2! That I can use: la Rosche posay dry touch face 50spf and biore UV aqua rich daily sunscreen 50spf (this smells so good too)"
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"Biore - Perfect Face Milk variant, white bottle, is a very good sunscreen."
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"re-filling effect you get from silicone heavy products, the 2023 formulation of Biore Watery Essence used to do this well but it got reformulated :(. I have very dry skin so a lot"
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"a shade or two darker than you! For sunscreen recommendations, I recommend the Biore Watery Essence SPF 50 and the Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 (comes in a pump bottle). NO wh"
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"tty pale at that, and I noticed a slight whitecast, maybe because I was used to biore watery essence which has none at all. Good luck!
Edit: "it" being Neutrogena hydroboost SPF 5"
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"Does anyone else think that the Biore watery essence sunscreen smells highly of alcohol? I can't seem to get over the smell so I had"
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"Some sunscreens are hydrating and have a dewy finish. Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence is one that I like. You can buy it on YesStyle or Stylevana. Be"
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"hese 4 brands. They don’t irritate my skin and don’t make my eyes watery. I use Biore UV Aqua Rich when I want to apply makeup. Sunstick is convinient especially when I need to r"
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"I am brown and these two do not leave any white cast on me: Bioré Aqua Rich in the bright blue tube and Nivea Water Gel in the pump bottle."
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"I need to use a lot of moisturizer before putting it on. Next best one to me is Biore UV Aqua Rich, for humid days."
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"y skin and has noticeably cleared up some dark post-acne spots I had.
[BioreUV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H7P3T8/ref=ppx_yo_"
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"the top performing sunscreens are... Biore UV Cream (latest 2025 version)"
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"I also use the Light Up Essence but after a lot of research, I've found the Cell Fusion C Laser UV Sunscreen to be even better"
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"Biore UV , These are some of the brands that provide protection from the sun"
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"Sunblock is just Biore UV."
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"Kinda excited they carry the sunscreen. Always felt weary about getting it off Amazon not knowing if the product you're getting is legit."
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"I have always liked Biore sunscreens."
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"I just ordered a restock of the Japanese Biore sunscreen."
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"Evenings I use Vitamin C, eye cream, moisturizer with SPF (Acqua Biore sunscreen)."
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"loe Aqua Tone Up. Daughter. WNRP.
- Etude Sunprise Watery Light. Son. WNRP.
- Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence. Used by me. Might RP once I go through my pre-tariffs panic buy"
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"too currently but used to use a couple circa 2016- i think Rohto skin aqua and biore aqua rich but still remember even these feeling quite heavy/greasy as the day went on!
I"
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"cky. LRP Oil Control felt heavy though.
I have three other recommendations -
Biore Watery Essence - pretty good for outdoors and water resistant
Nivea Face Sensitive - Solid che"
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"w sealing it is but my face is a bit oily so dryness isn’t really a problem.
**Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence**
* This stuff is light and does not cause my to breakout li"
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"> Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence
> * This stuff is light and does not cause my to breakout lik"
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"ably quite expensive, so for cost effective sunscreens, I do like skin aqua and biore UV aqua rich watery essence as well.
It is definitely not as good as Anessa but it still does its job wel"
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"I’ve been using the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Essence for about two weeks now and I quite like how hydrating it is. I don’t h"
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"I have a very oily T-zone and Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence has worked well for me as for as not getting oily. I think the new formulation"
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"I use the Biore UV watery essence. I don't experience oiliness or breakouts from it (i have combo skin). The sm"
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"removing... Despite it says normal soap can... It was a pain to remove.
I use biore perfect milk and kose suncut, they both survived under makeup, walk to mrt, from mrt to offi"
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"I bought like four or five of the Biore UV sunscreens (the Japanese formulation) during my last foray into little Tokyo."
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"/glowy finish, although it didn’t do much to even out skin tone. I normally use Biore Aqua Rich essence and this has a somewhat similar feel on my skin, maybe a touch heavier/"
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"It's a good enough dupe for the Biore watery essence (but with less PA) and comes in a high volume. I use it for my arms, chest, and"
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"sure its the biore water essence. So good as i have it too
Edit: nvm i use the biore uv aqua rich watery gel...
Which i think is the same one?"
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"Try biore aqua blue tube!!"
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"SPF (varies, currently mostly Biore Aquau Gel one)"
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"id recommend Biore's uv gel/watery series (stick to the blue bottles only)"
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"Biore 50 SPF"
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Threads tracked
The conversations we're watching.
●
r/30PlusSkinCare
When Your Bestie Goes To Japan And Hooks It Up
●
r/AsianBeauty
Top Moisturizing Sunscreens Ive Tried
●
r/SkincareAddictionUK
How To Get Rid Of These Bumps
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Misc I Analyzed 90 Reddit Threads To Find The
●
r/AsianBeauty
What Are Some Of The Products Youve Purchased 4
●
r/30PlusSkinCare
Sunscreen Prices Are About To Skyrocket Heres Why
●
r/AsianBeauty
Finally Understand Why This Community Takes Spf
●
r/AsianBeauty
My Skin After Joining This Sub
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