The secret to achieving healthy vibrant skin? That’s applying sunscreen or sunblock before leaving your house. Being in broad daylight without any sun protection exposes your skin to harmful UV rays, which are always bad for your skin long-term.
If you dislike wearing multiple layers of skincare items during the day, a sunscreen that is water-based is the perfect tool for this. In addition to fending off UV light, they serve as great moisturisers due to their high water content.
But how do you tell if a sunscreen’s formula is water-based? For starters, simply look at the ingredient list. If the first ingredient stated is water, high chances are, it’s a water-based sunscreen.
Here we checked out some of the best water-based sunscreens in Malaysia, some of which aren’t just sweat-resistant, but have high SPF to protect your skin from the sun.
Top 8 Water Based Sunscreens Malaysia
Table of Contents
Why it’s Our Top Pick:
The Shiseido Global Suncare The Perfect Protector SPF 50+/PA++++ has a unique formula that does well in a humid country like Malaysia. It’s made with HeatForce technology, resulting in a powerful UV protective veil to perform in very hot, sunny conditions.
Features
Offering protection against UV rays and even urban pollutants such as soot and dust, this sunscreen helps to reduce pigmentation and dark spots. It’s also waterproof, being equipped with WetForce technology that makes the UV protective veil just as strong when exposed to water.
Testimonies
Most users love the velvety texture and the pleasant smell of this sunscreen. It’s highly recommended by many for daily use.
The COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream ticks all the boxes when it comes to keeping the skin moisturised while being well-protected against the Sun and calm throughout the day. If you have sensitive skin, then this might just be the one for you.
Features
Made especially for dry and sensitive skin, this top-rated Korean sunscreen is packed with moisturising and calming ingredients. The formula is rich in Glycerine which keeps the skin well-moisturised throughout the day. Besides that, it features a 5,500ppm Aloe Vera Leaf Extract that helps calm the skin and prevent irritation from external stressors and pollutants.
Moving on, it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against harmful UVA and UVB from the Sun with SPF50+PA+++.
Testimonies
K-beauty fans with sensitive skin are in love with this creamy formula as it keeps their skin soft and calm throughout the day. Its fair price point makes this sunscreen very popular because users need not think twice about reapplication during the day.
When you have oily skin, it may be tempting to skip sunscreen out of fear of worsening your skin, which could contribute to the development of acne. Thus, your chance is to opt for Bio-Essence Bio-Water Hydrating Sunscreen SPF50 to keep your face from getting shiny.
Features:
Reverse common signs of photo-ageing and increase your skin’s elasticity with an ingredient that makes up the perfect skincare routine; Hyaluronic Acid. It does an excellent job of hydrating the skin and keeps your skin feeling young, supple and firm in the long haul.
The formula does not irritate and sting your eyes. Plus, its unique texture and consistency ensure rapid absorption once it seeps onto the surface of your skin.
Testimonies:
Praised for its great formulation that perfectly suits oily skin types and is sweatproof. Due to its speedy absorption won't leave any oily effect on the skin that will show shine on the face.
If you want to achieve dewy-looking Korean glass skin, you’ll need to consider the Innisfree Tone Up Watering Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++.
Features
This sunscreen is infused with Vitamin C derivatives that will help brighten your complexion, providing a moist finish and a natural glowing effect. For this reason, it works great as a makeup base.
Testimonies
Overall reviews indicate that this sunscreen is highly loved by the public due to its natural brightening effect on the skin.
For those struggling with acne, we hear you. That’s why we’re recommending the Nivea Sun Triple Protect Acne Oil Control SPF50 on our list!
Features
This sunscreen provides triple the protection against UVA light, UVB light and even blue light. It also doesn’t clog pores, and is made to leave the skin matte-looking for 8 hours.
Testimonies
Many users have shared that it’s not only ultralight, but that it also absorbs into the skin easily. All in all, it’s perfect for those with oily, acne-prone skin.
Sunscreen should always be assessable regardless of your skin type and budget. Wardah understands that very well and presents to you their affordable sunscreen that is beautifully formulated for all dry to combination skin types as well as easily available at your nearest drugstore.
Overview
Formulated to feel and work like an essence, this sunscreen applies lightly onto the skin and gets absorbed quickly. Wardah UV Shield Aqua Fresh Essence uses Aquafused Technology to provide a continuously refreshing sensation that hydrates the skin all day long. This technology prevents the formation of dry patches on the skin while keeping oil at bay in oilier parts of the face.
On top of that, this drugstore sunscreen contains Artemisia Capillaris Extract, an ingredient rich in vitamin A, C and Niacin which works to calm skin irritation and fight redness. This feature makes this sunscreen a great choice for those with sensitive skin that is prone to redness and flare-ups.
Testimonies
The majority of the users love this sunscreen for its lightweight texture that absorbs into the skin in no time. It is also very hydrating on the skin which allows some users the option of skipping their moisturisers on some days. Besides that, they noticed their skin looking lighter after months of usage, signifying its efficacy in sun protection.
You have probably left your house countless times without sunscreen. The absorption is swift with only a few sprays, and you’re all prepped.
Features:
This no-white cast guarantee is invisible upon application and has an anti-shine finish to achieve that non-greasy mattifying look. To top it off, it is non-comedogenic that won’t clog up your pores and encourage the formation of blackheads.
This dermatologically tested alcohol-free spray sunscreen offers SPF50 superior protection to help guard against harmful pollutants and infrared UV rays that could lead to premature ageing.
Testimonies:
Its 5 out of 5 positive ratings mainly mention the very light texture and that it has helped their skin to appear better almost instantly. The finish is so luminous that it reminds them of a high-quality moisturiser rather than a sunscreen.
Overview
Suitable for daily use, this sunscreen from BIORE provides the skin with a strong protective veil against UV rays and direct sunlight. Its SPF50+ / PA++++ formulation and hydrating ingredients e.g. hyaluronic acid, and royal jelly extract combination help the watery essence absorb into the skin to keep your skin fresh and moisturised all day.
Details
- Key ingredients: Water, hyaluronic acid & royal jelly extract, butylene glycol
- Size: 50g
- Suitable for: Dry, all types of skin
- Fragrance: Yes
Who is this for?
If your skin struggles with dryness and applying one of the most basic skincare parts of your daily routine only dry it even more, we recommend this sunscreen to moisturise your skin better while also keeping your skin free from harsh UV rays.
FAQ
- What is water-based sunscreen?
Essentially, water-based sunscreen contains a formula that is predominantly made of water. The name is a tell-tale sign; you can simply flip the ingredients around water will be its first/top ingredients. It’s usually runnier, lightweight in texture and absorbs faster into the skin rather than sunscreens that are oil-based.
It’s preferred by many as it doesn’t leave behind a greasy, oily residue that can get uncomfortable for those that produce more oil throughout the day.
- Is water-based sunscreen good for oily skin?
If you have oily skin, then you’ll love water-based sunscreen! Because of its formula that is lightweight and thin due to its high-water content, it will easily absorb into the skin, providing you essential protection and moisture. Additionally, it provides a soft-matte finish rather than leave an oily and greasy residue.
Therefore, there is no need to compromise comfort and protection when you opt for water-based sunscreen!
- Water-based vs oil-based sunscreens?
You may wonder what’s the difference in terms of performance. Here are our findings.
Water-based sunscreens:
- Compared to oil-based sunscreens, water-based sunscreens tend to have a lighter and airier texture, making it less likely to bind to the skin.
- This makes a great option for people with enlarged pores and acne.
Oil-based sunscreen:
- As they have a thicker consistency, their formula is ideal for dry skin. But not all oils are created equal.
- In fact, dermatologists recommend to go for those that are made with natural oils that mimics the skin’s, such as jojoba and grapeseed oils.
If your skin type is oily, it’s highly recommended that you go for water-based sunscreens as they tend to be oil-free and non-greasy. In fact, water-based sunscreens are also a great option for those with dry or combination skin, as many can provide long-lasting hydration.
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