u/suupernooova

Iunik Beta-Glucan Barrier Sunscreen

Me: dry, "mature", reactive skin (and eyes). Dry, hot climate.

Am weird about how things feel on my skin. I don't want to see or feel anything I put on my face.

Don't want to know you're wearing sunscreen? THIS. IS. FOR. YOU.

Highlights:

• feels like a silky, plush, PM moisturizer going on
• despite richness, feels like absolutely *nothing* is on my face
• no glow, no matte, face looks and feels naked
• zero sting to skin or eyes
• didn't make face sweat on a long, hot walk
• nearly unscented (maybe a very distant hint of... oatmeal?)

This stuff is so un-suncreen-y, I'd be excited to use it as a straight up moisturizer. Can't speak to oily skin or humidity, but maybe keep in mind for winter months?

I can link to face pic if want to see finish but it's just... nothing!

Still have two more SPFs to test out but this is hard to beat.

Me: "mature", dry, sometimes reactive/sensitive skin. Hot, dry climate. Very particular about how things feel on my face.

Impressions after first wear:

• very light/watery texture
• lovely to apply!
• dries soft / almost powdery to the touch
• fantastic neutral finish (not glowy, not matte, no white cast)
• stung when first applied but fine after a few minutes
• annoyed eyes a little, esp in the first hour (almost like it somehow dried them out?)
• can't really feel it sitting on skin, even when walking around in 90+ degree heat
• supposed to be hydrating, did not feel this at all
• skin felt a bit tight by end of day (maybe drying?)
• smells like ASS!
• did I mention it smells really bad?!? A very assertive combo of freshly cut grass, chemical-plastic and baby powder. I don't mind strong earthy, organic scents. This is not that.

Verdict:

I really want to like it for how it invisible it is, but the smell is hard to get past and don't love the initial stinging/dry eye thing. I'll give it a few more chances and probably use it up (eventually) but don't imagine I'll repurchase.

How it ranks for me:

1. Iunik Beta Glucan Barrier Sunscreen
2. Round Lab Birch Juice
3. BOJ Sun Relief
4. Skin1004 Centella Waterfit + Toboco (tie)
5. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit

Biore Athlizm Protect Essence (Japan)

Context: am in my 50s with dry + reactive skin. 10/10 on the sweaty scale, everything burns my skin/eyes, live in hot dry climate. HATE feeling stuff on my face. Needed durable SPF for hikes and distance runs (1.5 - 2+ hr).

Somehow, this forms a durable film that you can def feel but isn't at all claustrophobic or cloying (the part I hate, apparently).

It has some shine but less than most (first face pic is right after applying), dries down well (second face pic, ~20 min later).

Face was *less* of a swampy, sweaty mess with this on. Didn't sting or burn anything. Could still feel it after a 90 min sweatfest/trail run.

This Biore voodoo will absolutely replace my longstanding go-to Elta MD Sport for longer runs, summer, peak UV times. Also comes in stick that I'm absolutely getting for reapply. Good stuff if you need something bulletproof!

Note: it says "essence" but is a thick lotion.

I bought mine from Yesstyle.

Biore Athlizm Protect Essence (Japan)

Context: am in my 50s with dry + reactive skin. 10/10 on the sweaty scale, everything burns my skin/eyes, live in hot dry climate. HATE feeling stuff on my face. Needed durable SPF for hikes and distance runs (1.5 - 2+ hr). My usual is Elta Sport MD bc everything else bothers my eyes.

Somehow, this forms a durable film that you can def feel but isn't at all claustrophobic or cloying (the part I hate, apparently).

It has some shine but less than most (first face pic is right after applying), dries down well (second face pic, ~20 min later).

Face was *less* of a swampy, sweaty mess with this on. Didn't sting or burn anything. Could still feel it after a 90 min sweatfest/trail run.

This Biore voodoo will absolutely replace Elta MD Sport for longer runs, summer, peak UV times. Also comes in stick that I'm absolutely getting for reapply. Good stuff if you need something bulletproof!

Note that it says "essence" but is a thick lotion.

My face hates everything so I went a little extra.

I had trouble finding reviews from people like me, so if you want details, ask away!

Skin is dry, reactive, “mature” and has visible pores. When you’re not 30, “glowy” might not be the best thing. Live in a hot, dry climate.

Ranking so far:

1. Round Lab Birch: 9/10 love. Had low hopes bc US version is disgusting. This goes on like moisturizer and I can’t feel a thing on my face after. This is huge for me. A little glowy but not a disaster. I already bought more, Yami sale got me.

2. BOJ relief sun: 8/10 really like. Feels nice going on, a little heavier than I like. Feels gluey when drying but that quickly goes away. Glow factor is on par with round lab. Would buy again but not first choice.

3. Skin1004 centella water fit: 5/10 don’t really like. Something about this annoys my skin. Not irritates, just doesn’t feel good. Leaves a noticeable film that I can feel all day and kinda want to wash off. Wouldn’t buy again.

4. Haruharu Wonder airy fit: 2/10 slightly hate. I’ll give it points for not irritating and looking nicer than the others (no different than naked skin) but HATE how it feels going on, drying, wearing, all of it. Is like wearing a plastic bag on your face.

Few notes:

- none of the above stung my eyes or skin, which just about every US sunscreen but Elta MD sport does. This puts even the worst above 99% of US brands, and I’ve tried just about everything you can name.

- I don’t wear makeup and hate feeling something on my face so judging very hard on that factor.

Phew.

Thanks again for everyone here who helped with ideas and ordering. Yesstyle is so much better when you pay for shipping 👏🏽

Every time I use this stuff, I absolutely love it... then forget all about it for months. Because how often are you really supposed to scrub your scalp?

I use it as scrub/shampoo and follow with conditioner + light leave in (this time, very diluted Davines Oi Milk). Makes my hair soooo soft, silky, shiny and light. Almost... fluffy? A big lift for straight hair. Feels so much nicer than usual, I can't stop touching it 😄

Note: I have fine but dense hair. If you don't have a lot of hair, I can imagine this might make it feel even *more* fine and a maybe a little sad.

Been struggling to find a good "last step" to my nightly routine: sandwiched Tretinoin, +/- serum underneath, followed by a balm of some kind. Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Recovery Cream followed by their Cicalfate or LP Cicplast have been go to for awhile. Okay, but not great. Would still wake up with tight, dry-feeling skin.

Randomly stumbled on this Mung Bean Cream at local grocery store and it's replaced both Avene products. My face doesn't feel like scorched earth when I wake up anymore. It doesn't sting or irritate (huge) and skin might actually feel a little... plumper?

Huge win for 50-something dry skin that hates most things.

Note: I don't wear makeup and am really weird about how things feel on my face. This goes on a bit like stages of grief. First, silky smooth (lovely!). Is then a little gluey and heavy, but this passes quickly. Final stage is a bit tacky, esp if you use too much. This too may pass, but I put it on before bed and fall asleep fast. Am still experimenting with how much to use, but my face is so happy I don't even care.

Here's a link to the specific one:

https://www.ulta.com/p/bean-cream-barrier-repair-moisturizer-pimprod2052507?sku=2643836

In my 50s. Been using tretinoin a few years, late to SPF party but religious about it now (Elta MD). Moisturize regularly (dry skin, arid climate).

I don’t wear makeup and don’t want to start, but wondering if there’s something for pores I add to this routine?

My face hates most sunscreen and doesn’t always love glycerine or heavy fragrance (looking at you clarins, shiseido, etc) but otherwise not picky.

Bumble & Bumble Long Last Styling cream.

First pic is straight out of bed after a week of working out and not washing it (I did shower. Don’t judge). Second pic is also straight out of bed but brushed, 5 days in.

I never use things labeled “styling” because I’m lazy and don’t even own a hair dryer. I wash, condition, detangle and use leave ins.

Prior favorites include: very diluted Davines oi milk, Oribe run thru, Ouai leave in. Olaplex or Oribe for oils, used very sparingly. This stuff kills all of them.

Note: my hair is fine but I have A LOT of it. Used a small amount of product on day one. Am in my 50s and this gigantic tube will probably last until I die.

I’d recc the trial size. And if your hair is fine but not also super dense, maybe start with the ends.

I don’t have a helper and it’s as tall as me (6 ft). To make things worse, the pot has a smaller opening with an inward facing lip. Would prefer not to break the pot bc it matches others in the house.

Is there a strategy to safely remove, without hurting the monster?