Review: Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel

I am always on the hunt for a good sunscreen since I wear it everyday (as should you!). I say this to you as a reformed non-sunscreen user. However, now that I’m older and wiser, I realize how important it is to wear sunscreen everyday to protect my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s a common adage in the skincare community that sunscreen is the number one anti-aging product you can use; I’ve started looking at it as the product that will help me continue aging…by helping prevent skin cancer. 

In order to make sure I use it every day, I need sunscreens that I enjoy using. I look for sunscreens that are cosmetically elegant, meaning they sit nicely under makeup and don’t leave a white cast. Most importantly, I need a sunscreen that doesn’t dry out my skin. Many raved-about sunscreens contain alcohol and are therefore raved about because they absorb so quickly. I’m fine with a bit more absorption time if it means my skin isn’t feeling tight and itchy by the end of the day.

With that in mind, I’m continuing my series on the Earth’s Recipe brand line with a review of the Waterful Sun Gel, which is the brand’s sunscreen. (If you’re interested in the Energy Boosting Toner review, you can find that here and you can find the review of the Moisture Bound Cream here.) This sunscreen was sent to me for review purposes by the brand, but all of the opinions here are my own.

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Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel

Cosdna Analysis

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The 50ml tube looks small, but it’s a pretty standard size for most sunscreens. As a reminder, you need to use about 1/4 teaspoon for your whole face. I tend to use a bit more in order to make sure I cover my whole face adequately.

The Claims

“The Waterful Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA+++ is a lightweight, moisturizing gel sunscreen that provides reliable protection against both UVA and UVB rays. This weightless, breathable sunscreen is formulated with Britain’s Harrogate sparkling water that nourishes the skin with natural minerals. Its plush texture absorbs perfectly into the skin when applied, and makes an excellent base for makeup.” (BemusedKorea.com)

This sunscreen protects agains UVA and UVB rays, and it is also meant to be very moisturizing.

Ingredients:

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolyme, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, INCI(X) Carbonated Water, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance

  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: Sunscreen
  • INCI(X) Carbonated Water: Sparkling water is meant to help hydrate your skin
  • Ethylhexylglycerin: Glycerin is a common moisturizing ingredient

 The active sunscreen don’t include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which means that the Waterful Sun Gel is a purely chemical sunscreen.

 The (Personal) Evidence

The Waterful Sun Gel has a lovely fresh, sort of citrusy scent. However, the name is a bit of a misnomer because it’s more of a cream than a gel. It looks thick, but it does have a lighter, gel-like feel. It spreads easily on the skin.
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When I first used it, I was afraid it would leave a white cast because it is so creamy, so I was pleasantly surprised that it absorbs relatively quickly and leaves zero white cast. It’s actually quite a light sunscreen. If you’re used to thick, creamy, obnoxious-smelling Western sunscreens, I definitely urge you to try an Asian sunscreen!

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Quite frankly, this sunscreen has been a skin saver this winter. As opposed to last winter, when would go home from work with white, dry patches on my cheeks, this winter there are no dry patches to be found.
Furthermore, the Waterful Sun Gel sits nicely under my makeup and doesn’t pill. It definitely gives me a dewy sheen, but it doesn’t make me look greasy, so I feel comfortable wearing it without makeup. So, if you’re looking for a matte finish, this wouldn’t be for you.
I have no complaints or criticisms to give about the performance of the Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel. It is only PA+++, which I know is a negative for some (I believe the highest amount of protection is PA++++), but given that I’m inside about 90% of the day, this is fine for me. Overall, I think this is a perfect sunscreen for normal to dry skin. It may be too much for oily skin, unless they use it as a moisturizer as well.

So, will I buy this product again? 

Rating Scale: 

  • Did you not read the review? Yes, of course. I will spend all of my money on this product!
  • Yes. I enjoy this product enough to purchase again in the future, especially if it’s on sale.
  • Meh. Maybe. I mean, I bet there are other, better things out there. I’d use it if someone gave it to me.
  • No. I won’t use this again and will probably bad-mouth it to others.
  • Hahahahaha. Nope. Noooooooope. Not even if you paid me.

The Verdict: Did you not read the review? Yes, of course. I will spend all of my money on this product, ESPECIALLY when it’s on sale!

In fact, when the Black Friday sale happened, I purchased two more tubes! I will keep using this as long as they keep making it, although I wish it weren’t as pricey as it is.

Where you can buy:

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