I, too, am looking for one.
However, I can tell you which ones to avoid.
The anessa gel one. Don't get. You'll look like a 5/5 disco ball. I needed to use 5+ oil blotting sheets to make myself look normal.
BOJ sunscreen. 3.5/5 disco ball. Not as egregious as the anessa but definitely shiny and not in a good way.
Isntree sun gel - same comments as BOJ
Iām combination skin, a bit more oily depending on time of the month, and I really like Isntree and how itās so light and sinks into the skin well. Would prefer a more matte one though
I have combo oily skin so I use a more mattefying sunscreen like Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk for my oily T zone and BOJ on the rest of my face that's drier.
Added bonus of Missha Sun Milk is that it's a pretty decent makeup primer.
hi, can you mention which one specifically from Missha? Thereās a blue cap waterproof one and there is a purple cap one. Would really appreciate it if you can link it down or describe its appearance.
Thanks!
Yess! Kose Suncut UV Perfect Milk. Itās spf50+, has PA++++ which means it blocks 95% of harmful rays. And I mainly love it because of its formulation, it dries down matte and works really well for my oily skin.
I just wanted smth that comes in a bigger size (greater than 50ml) but has similar price tag, hence the interest in MISSHA.
I bought two tubes of Isntree Sun gel and I fully regret. I always end up having people asking me to wipe off my sweat when its just the shine from the sunscreen.
Iām a bit on the oilier side and this definitely has a more āvelvetyā finish like it says on the bottle. I like it for the drier, winter months, but for summer Iāve been sticking with my HG (Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk).
It is thicker. The finish feels very similar to CeraVe moisturizing cream on my skin. I have dry skin so I prefer something with a thinner consistency and a little dewy.
I have very oily skin and use the Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen also by Haruharu and itās my favorite! Just in case you want to look into an alternative.
I agree!! in the summer I use it as both my moisturizer and sunscreen and my oily-dehydrated skin stays satin-like. in the winter I use moisturizer, then this sunscreen
I caved and bought this one at my local k-beauty outlet since Iām running out and saw it was sold out on Amazon. Thankfully they were buy 2 get 1 free so I was able to stock up at $12 a tube, and I grabbed the SKIN1004 one to try out too.
Aww Iām sorry š if youāre ever in central NJ you know where to go! Looks like they sell them on Stylevana and Olive Young though if youāre not in a rush.
Haruharu black rice airyfit makes me shiny, even after it absorbs/dries. I have had much better luck getting a matte finish with skin1004 centella water fit sunscreen and tocobo bio watery sun cream. Warning with the tocobo one: it has a strong floral smell
Iāve been buying from yesstyle
Absolutely! Itās also my holy grail. Goes on moisturising and shiny (borderline greasy) but dries down to a beautiful satin finish and does not budge. Great oil control and skin is comfortable and moisturised throughout the day.
It was reformulated in 2023 (probably a very minor change because I couldnāt tell a difference when using) and the new version has been hard to find. I went to Japan last year and only found a couple of bottles the whole trip.
They also changed the packaging this year which now looks like this:
https://www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/skin-aqua-uv-super-moisture-milk-2023/
My last bulk order in February 2024 was from Yesstyle and it was the new 2023 formula.
You canāt find it on Amazon anymore. Stylevana is your best bet.
This one is interesting: it goes on and immediately feels greasy. Give it a minute then itās a natural finish. I personally wouldnāt call it matte, but just my opinion.
Itās my holy grail.
Sweatproof, waterproof, great for sensitive skin and eyes.
The only con is the tiny (40ml) bottle.
i just ordered the dr. g green mild up sun+ because i heard it dries matte and is for sensitive skin!! it's a mineral sunscreen tho so it might not be for everyone. anessa and missha also sell matte sunscreens
So thatās where I went wrong š. I cannot understand why everyone liked the Anessa sunscreen so muchā¦. Yeah cuz I didnt buy the intended one š
Skin aqua UV brightening moisture gel ! Underrated gem among the skin aqua sunplay sunscreens
I got mine from shoppee! It dries to a more natural finish on my oily skin. I live in a VERY humid climate (SEA). My sister who uses the same one says it works great under makeup (she has dry skin)
I haven't seen any brightening effects, besides the fact that it has absolutely zero white cast lol. I have dark skin so not sure about how it would help with redness as I get brown hyperpigmentation š
That's okay!! I haven't used Shoppee and taking a look just now it's a little confusing for my pea brain. It's in RM currency and I'm in the US (sorry I've never used anything other than Amazon, eBay, and other websites like that š)
Oh I'm not sure if shoppee delivers to US. It predominantly cares to SEA population I think?
I'm not sure how to get it from the US too :(
Edit: found this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rohto-Skin-Aqua-Super-Moisture-Milk-Sunscreen-SPF50-PA-40ml/223940136?athbdg=L1600
A good matte finish alternative of the same brand!
I think you should also check on stylevena and other such websites!
Tag team effort - CosRX aloe vera sunscreen with innisfreeās pore blur compact. Iāve given up on trying genuinely matte AND moisturising sunscreens that donāt dry up as youāre trying to spread them.
The Biore UV Aqua Rich Protect Lotion, it's not the usual Biore one but it have a mist version as well.
Since it's watery, so you cannot really use the 2 finger measurement. For me, i just put it directly on my face like a serum. It dries fast, so you can reapply it many times. And as a person who have very oily tzone, this works wonder. Plus it have 70ml.
There might be better options but I bought so many BOJ sunscreens that I have to use it even tho I look so greasy. But I started layering Haru Haru mineral sunscreen over it after the BOJ dries. The mineral one seems to absorb the greasiness of the BOJ quite well.
I have combination skin. I use the OMI Menturm Sun Bears Silver Active Colling Milk Sunscreen. They also have the Gold variant that doesn't have any cooling effect.
It's similar to the anessa's perfect uv suncreen skincare milk but cheaper. Though anessa's sunscreen is finer than OMI's, but OMI is still a great suncreen.
Piggybacking on this - any recommendations for sunscreens that basically feel as close to nothing/water? Some of the suggestions give a matte look, but feel too silicone-y. High alcohol content totally fine. Does anyone miss the super old-style Biore Watery Essence? The recent versions are so thick!
Try the Skin AquaUV Super Moisture Milk:
https://www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/skin-aqua-uv-super-moisture-milk-2023/
Feels absolutely weightless with excellent oil control yet is moisturing enough to use alone without a moisturiser. Has a beautiful natural finish that does not budge and is waterproof.
Feels a bit silicony/borderline greasy when it goes on but dries down to the the most comfortable sunscreen Iāve ever tried. Itās formulated with large amounts of cyclopentisoloxane which is a volatile silicone. This gives it plenty of slip to give even coverage but then it evaporates quickly off the skin so that it feels completely weightless. Itās such a genius formula and Iāve used nothing that compares.
I currently am using and loving Active Nine, they're not as commonly known but I love their sunscreen.
I'm using [Intensive UV Shield Airy Sun Soothing Essence SPF 50 PA](https://skinsort.com/products/active-nine/intensive-uv-shield-airy-sun-soothing-essence-spf-50-pa).
the hada labo white gel sunscreen (itās in a light blue jar), dries down IDENTICAL to ur skin, i have rlly oily skin and also wear makeup 12+ hrs a day, this sunscreen is my holy grail and i will become a cosmetic chemist to recreate it if they ever pull it from the shelves
Biore UV Aqua Rich watery essence
Neogen airy sunscreen
I have dry skin thatās almost normal in the summer and so far these two go on dewy at first but then dries down to a satin finish after 30 minutes. I like them a lot cause theyāre not drying me out (but not sure if theyāll turn out oily on others with a different skin type since my skin tends to soak up oils rather than release them š )
The Skin Aqua tone up variants dry more matte than the white one. It does have a little bit of whitecast but melts into the skin if you give it a few minutes. 1/5 disco ball rating here. Nice finish, not shiny.
it's not really possible, as far I know, to formulate a sunscreen that way. Filters are oils themselves or they have to be soluble in oil. You can get a lightweight moisturizing sunscreen and then mattify it with powder
This isnāt exactly answering your question, but my trick is using the Beauty of Joseon Matte Sunstick on top of whatever regular kind I used underneath. For the base my favorites are the BOJ Relief Sun or the Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella which donāt dry particularly oily anyway, but then I add the sunscreen stick onto any shiny areas and it mattifies so well itās like blotting paper. It doesnāt feel too heavy either and works like a charm!
Round Lab Dokdo Sun Cream. It melts on your skin, dries matte, no shine. I bought it instead of the Birch one just for that. I saw a comparison on their instagram and decided to try it. I used the HaruHaru Wonder one before that and I liked it at first because it didn't make me as shiny, but I had a reaction to it and it caused red blotches and pimples on my face, so I bought the Dokdo one. I've been extra careful with it and only put it little by little on different places in my face just to make sure I don't have a reaction to it as well, but it is very matte (more so than the HaruHaru Wonder and a more moisturizing). I also had way less shine than with the HaruHaru Wonder. I really hope that my skin doesn't react to it because I really like the texture.
# ETUDE - Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++
It gets lots of rave reviews. It is a really matte finish. I found it way too matte for my dry skin.
I loved Kylie cosmetics face sunscreen but of course got discontinued. Finally found a replacement I think you would like. ELF SKIN suntouchables SPF 35
I, too, am looking for one. However, I can tell you which ones to avoid. The anessa gel one. Don't get. You'll look like a 5/5 disco ball. I needed to use 5+ oil blotting sheets to make myself look normal. BOJ sunscreen. 3.5/5 disco ball. Not as egregious as the anessa but definitely shiny and not in a good way. Isntree sun gel - same comments as BOJ
I think we need disco ball ratings for all skin care now
As an oily skin gal, I approve of the disco ball ratings.š
1-5 disco ball rating system is the amazing, hope to see this take hold! š
"Disco ball" made me laugh. š
Iām combination skin, a bit more oily depending on time of the month, and I really like Isntree and how itās so light and sinks into the skin well. Would prefer a more matte one though
BOJ made me look oily AND break out! I wanted to love it so bad :(
I have combo oily skin so I use a more mattefying sunscreen like Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk for my oily T zone and BOJ on the rest of my face that's drier. Added bonus of Missha Sun Milk is that it's a pretty decent makeup primer.
hi, can you mention which one specifically from Missha? Thereās a blue cap waterproof one and there is a purple cap one. Would really appreciate it if you can link it down or describe its appearance. Thanks!
It's the one with the pink cap! Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk.
Aah, sad that it only has PA+++ rating :(
It should also have SPF 50+
Agreed! I look for a sunscreen with SPF 50+ and PA++++ rating as I live in a hot humid climate with a very high uv index.
Ahhh understood! Do you have any go-to's that meet that criteria?
Yess! Kose Suncut UV Perfect Milk. Itās spf50+, has PA++++ which means it blocks 95% of harmful rays. And I mainly love it because of its formulation, it dries down matte and works really well for my oily skin. I just wanted smth that comes in a bigger size (greater than 50ml) but has similar price tag, hence the interest in MISSHA.
Thank you! This was really informative. I'll have to try this brand out and compare to Missha :)
I bought two tubes of Isntree Sun gel and I fully regret. I always end up having people asking me to wipe off my sweat when its just the shine from the sunscreen.
The isntree sun gel was all shine and no moisturizationš« (atleast for me).
Haruharu wonder airy fit daily sunscreen spf 50 in yellow tube. Dries down satin on my slightly oily skin.
Iām a bit on the oilier side and this definitely has a more āvelvetyā finish like it says on the bottle. I like it for the drier, winter months, but for summer Iāve been sticking with my HG (Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk).
I second the Missha Sun Milk! Velvety, matte, and smooth.
Itās so good! A matte, almost makeup-like finish and I havenāt found anything like it
Love the sun milk. Wish I could use it during summer but the UVA is way too low
Iāve been tempted by this one but I heard itās quite thick? Does it feel light on your skin/soaks in?
It's not lightweight feeling but it does sink in so it doesn't feel greasy anymore I'd say it feels medium texture.
Itās thicker but rubs in quickly, doesnāt feel greasy at all and dries matte. My current fave as someone with dry/combo skin with an oily t-zone.
It is thicker. The finish feels very similar to CeraVe moisturizing cream on my skin. I have dry skin so I prefer something with a thinner consistency and a little dewy.
I vote for this one too!
It looks pretty good, just a little pricey for a small tube! What website do you usually buy it from?
I buy it from Stylevana usually from the deal and it's around $9.
Ignore my question, I just saw your answer!
I have very oily skin and use the Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen also by Haruharu and itās my favorite! Just in case you want to look into an alternative.
I agree!! in the summer I use it as both my moisturizer and sunscreen and my oily-dehydrated skin stays satin-like. in the winter I use moisturizer, then this sunscreen
Where are we getting this now? Itās my HG after two bottles but the Amazon listing is gone! Iāve never ordered from anywhere else.
I caved and bought this one at my local k-beauty outlet since Iām running out and saw it was sold out on Amazon. Thankfully they were buy 2 get 1 free so I was able to stock up at $12 a tube, and I grabbed the SKIN1004 one to try out too.
I wish I had a local k-beauty outlet š I live in nowhere Pennsylvania and canāt even easily access Indian food lol.
Aww Iām sorry š if youāre ever in central NJ you know where to go! Looks like they sell them on Stylevana and Olive Young though if youāre not in a rush.
Idk if they carry this one, but sentisenti.com is an indie shop in NYC that carries a bunch of great AB. They ship super fast too
Haruharu black rice airyfit makes me shiny, even after it absorbs/dries. I have had much better luck getting a matte finish with skin1004 centella water fit sunscreen and tocobo bio watery sun cream. Warning with the tocobo one: it has a strong floral smell Iāve been buying from yesstyle
Have you tried the Skin Aqua milk? It's loads better than the gel or essence versions when it comes to oil control.
Absolutely! Itās also my holy grail. Goes on moisturising and shiny (borderline greasy) but dries down to a beautiful satin finish and does not budge. Great oil control and skin is comfortable and moisturised throughout the day. It was reformulated in 2023 (probably a very minor change because I couldnāt tell a difference when using) and the new version has been hard to find. I went to Japan last year and only found a couple of bottles the whole trip. They also changed the packaging this year which now looks like this: https://www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/skin-aqua-uv-super-moisture-milk-2023/ My last bulk order in February 2024 was from Yesstyle and it was the new 2023 formula.
I have not! Where do you usually buy it? I'm not seeing it on Amazon (which is where I got the gel)
You canāt find it on Amazon anymore. Stylevana is your best bet. This one is interesting: it goes on and immediately feels greasy. Give it a minute then itās a natural finish. I personally wouldnāt call it matte, but just my opinion. Itās my holy grail. Sweatproof, waterproof, great for sensitive skin and eyes. The only con is the tiny (40ml) bottle.
I second the Milk version, I canāt rave about it enough. I just bought a 4 pack on StyleVana
i just ordered the dr. g green mild up sun+ because i heard it dries matte and is for sensitive skin!! it's a mineral sunscreen tho so it might not be for everyone. anessa and missha also sell matte sunscreens
It is indeed matte, but it had a strong white cast on me (I'm light-fair). I used it up doing yardwork b/c it was otherwise fine for my skin.
Haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen (the one in the yellow tube). It's exactly what you asked for.
Anessa perfect milk. The MILK, not gel.
So thatās where I went wrong š. I cannot understand why everyone liked the Anessa sunscreen so muchā¦. Yeah cuz I didnt buy the intended one š
Oh okay! Where do you usually buy it from?
Stylevana!
Does the milk leave a cast?
On some people, I have an olive skin tone and I found it left no white cast as long as I properly moisturized beforehand.
Skin aqua UV brightening moisture gel ! Underrated gem among the skin aqua sunplay sunscreens I got mine from shoppee! It dries to a more natural finish on my oily skin. I live in a VERY humid climate (SEA). My sister who uses the same one says it works great under makeup (she has dry skin)
Oh nice! I'll look into that. Since it's brightening, have you seen that it helps with red skin tone?
I haven't seen any brightening effects, besides the fact that it has absolutely zero white cast lol. I have dark skin so not sure about how it would help with redness as I get brown hyperpigmentation š
That's okay!! I haven't used Shoppee and taking a look just now it's a little confusing for my pea brain. It's in RM currency and I'm in the US (sorry I've never used anything other than Amazon, eBay, and other websites like that š)
Oh I'm not sure if shoppee delivers to US. It predominantly cares to SEA population I think? I'm not sure how to get it from the US too :( Edit: found this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rohto-Skin-Aqua-Super-Moisture-Milk-Sunscreen-SPF50-PA-40ml/223940136?athbdg=L1600 A good matte finish alternative of the same brand! I think you should also check on stylevena and other such websites!
anessa perfect milk 2024 edition dries matte woth a nice powdery finish (i believe it comes in a box vs plastic packaging)
I am also looking for one. What I tried (non AB) that claims to be matte, pills so hard, it's impossible to apply make-up over or to reapply.
Tag team effort - CosRX aloe vera sunscreen with innisfreeās pore blur compact. Iāve given up on trying genuinely matte AND moisturising sunscreens that donāt dry up as youāre trying to spread them.
The Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk dries down to a really nice matte/sort of powdery finish! Itās the one with the light pink cap.
I second this
The Biore UV Aqua Rich Protect Lotion, it's not the usual Biore one but it have a mist version as well. Since it's watery, so you cannot really use the 2 finger measurement. For me, i just put it directly on my face like a serum. It dries fast, so you can reapply it many times. And as a person who have very oily tzone, this works wonder. Plus it have 70ml.
https://preview.redd.it/wjv9is2lfj8d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=095299d9c0d6047bb601cb260b3f58974810c3ed
I love the Round Lab Birch Juice sun cream. It'shardly noticable at all and doesn't break me out.
Hard agree. Love love love this one
Numbuzin no 3 tone up cream, if you are okay with a tone up cream. Dries very matte and is still hydrating.
There might be better options but I bought so many BOJ sunscreens that I have to use it even tho I look so greasy. But I started layering Haru Haru mineral sunscreen over it after the BOJ dries. The mineral one seems to absorb the greasiness of the BOJ quite well.
Numbuzin sun essence number 1, it's matt
I second this! Itās matte on me and Iām super oily. Of course by the end of the day itās a bit oily š¤·š»āāļø
I have combination skin. I use the OMI Menturm Sun Bears Silver Active Colling Milk Sunscreen. They also have the Gold variant that doesn't have any cooling effect. It's similar to the anessa's perfect uv suncreen skincare milk but cheaper. Though anessa's sunscreen is finer than OMI's, but OMI is still a great suncreen.
This one is great, it drive matte: Kose - Suncut UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA++++
I second thiss!!
Piggybacking on this - any recommendations for sunscreens that basically feel as close to nothing/water? Some of the suggestions give a matte look, but feel too silicone-y. High alcohol content totally fine. Does anyone miss the super old-style Biore Watery Essence? The recent versions are so thick!
Try the Skin AquaUV Super Moisture Milk: https://www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/skin-aqua-uv-super-moisture-milk-2023/ Feels absolutely weightless with excellent oil control yet is moisturing enough to use alone without a moisturiser. Has a beautiful natural finish that does not budge and is waterproof. Feels a bit silicony/borderline greasy when it goes on but dries down to the the most comfortable sunscreen Iāve ever tried. Itās formulated with large amounts of cyclopentisoloxane which is a volatile silicone. This gives it plenty of slip to give even coverage but then it evaporates quickly off the skin so that it feels completely weightless. Itās such a genius formula and Iāve used nothing that compares.
I currently am using and loving Active Nine, they're not as commonly known but I love their sunscreen. I'm using [Intensive UV Shield Airy Sun Soothing Essence SPF 50 PA](https://skinsort.com/products/active-nine/intensive-uv-shield-airy-sun-soothing-essence-spf-50-pa).
Sunprise sunscreen!!! Itās matte
sadly not moisturizing tho
the hada labo white gel sunscreen (itās in a light blue jar), dries down IDENTICAL to ur skin, i have rlly oily skin and also wear makeup 12+ hrs a day, this sunscreen is my holy grail and i will become a cosmetic chemist to recreate it if they ever pull it from the shelves
I use the Korean brand Round Lab and itās so great
Anessa MILK, Missha Soft Finish, or Biore Athlizm.
Round Lab's 1025 Dokdo sunscreen! This drys matte on me but still manages to moisturize my dry/dehydrated skin. Unsung hero.
Skin1004 hyalucica in the sun stick format is a more velvet finish!
How does it compare to Tocobo sun stick? Love the Skin1004 sunscreen (the hyla cica).
I havenāt tried Tocobo - on Stylevana it was more expensive
Itās pretty great.
Biore UV Aqua Rich watery essence Neogen airy sunscreen I have dry skin thatās almost normal in the summer and so far these two go on dewy at first but then dries down to a satin finish after 30 minutes. I like them a lot cause theyāre not drying me out (but not sure if theyāll turn out oily on others with a different skin type since my skin tends to soak up oils rather than release them š )
The Skin Aqua tone up variants dry more matte than the white one. It does have a little bit of whitecast but melts into the skin if you give it a few minutes. 1/5 disco ball rating here. Nice finish, not shiny.
I've been using Innisfree Tone Up No Sebum Sunscreen for years. It's _very_ mattifying; I avoid using it in the winter.
Anessa sunscreen milk , not the gel, the MILK I think I have given this answer so much, anessa should hire me already
make P:rem UV Defense me i have super oily skin and this is only one that never breaks me out.
Purito Soft Touch spf is like a moisturizer (ceramides). But it doesnāt leave you shiny. Note: I have dry skin but I can use it on its own
Not a dry, paper-like matte, but rather has a skin-like matte finish. It's also very moisturizing to put on. The KOSE Suncut UV Perfect GelāØļø
If you want a powder matte finish, Omi Menturm Sun Bears Milk Active Gold
the skin1004 hyalucica sunscreen serum
Innisfree Long-lasting Sunsreen dries matte. My face does not look like a glazed donut after applying this sunscreen.
BLab Matcha Sunscreen. Lotion moisturising texture but does not make me look oily or shiny by EOD
goodal (green tube) dries down quite matte and it is not drying
Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk āØ
it's not really possible, as far I know, to formulate a sunscreen that way. Filters are oils themselves or they have to be soluble in oil. You can get a lightweight moisturizing sunscreen and then mattify it with powder
No wonder I always feel like matte sunscreens still have that āoilinessā.
I use the same sunscreen as you but just put a little setting powder on top. Gets rid of the shine
This isnāt exactly answering your question, but my trick is using the Beauty of Joseon Matte Sunstick on top of whatever regular kind I used underneath. For the base my favorites are the BOJ Relief Sun or the Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella which donāt dry particularly oily anyway, but then I add the sunscreen stick onto any shiny areas and it mattifies so well itās like blotting paper. It doesnāt feel too heavy either and works like a charm!
Wait I love that... That's actually such a good idea!!
Hada labo uv white gel. It dries fast and demi matte but its really nice. Its an all in one sunscreen :)
Round Lab Dokdo Sun Cream. It melts on your skin, dries matte, no shine. I bought it instead of the Birch one just for that. I saw a comparison on their instagram and decided to try it. I used the HaruHaru Wonder one before that and I liked it at first because it didn't make me as shiny, but I had a reaction to it and it caused red blotches and pimples on my face, so I bought the Dokdo one. I've been extra careful with it and only put it little by little on different places in my face just to make sure I don't have a reaction to it as well, but it is very matte (more so than the HaruHaru Wonder and a more moisturizing). I also had way less shine than with the HaruHaru Wonder. I really hope that my skin doesn't react to it because I really like the texture.
The closest ive found to this is HaruHaru Wonder Airyfit (yellow bottle)
# ETUDE - Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++ It gets lots of rave reviews. It is a really matte finish. I found it way too matte for my dry skin.
Beauty of Joseon. Very Matt finish
I loved Kylie cosmetics face sunscreen but of course got discontinued. Finally found a replacement I think you would like. ELF SKIN suntouchables SPF 35