Most of us are aware of the importance of applying sunscreen, especially in Singapore where we face a greater exposure of UV radiation all year round, but not all of us can proudly say that we apply it regularly – according to the Daily Vanity Consumer Survey 2019, less than 70% of Singaporeans use sunscreen!
Those who have struggled with sunscreens would understand why sunscreen is one skincare step we love to neglect: many of them are sticky and greasy, leave a white cast on our skin, and create unnecessary hassle. We barely have time to do our makeup in the morning, and waiting for our skin to absorb the thick sunscreen before applying foundation is simply not the best option.
What makes things worse is the fact that unlike your long-lasting foundation, you are expected to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming and/or excessive swimming – who has time for that, right?
However, Daily Vanity has recently discovered a line of sunscreens that will be very well-loved by modern women like you and me, thanks to the fact that these sunscreens solve all the above pain points while offering maximum protection from the sun.
The best part? Everything is sold at accessible prices – and you can easily find all of them in major department stores, Japanese supermarkets, and even online!
Psst, stay tuned till the end and you might walk away with free KOSÉ goodies and other attractive promotions!
SEKKISEI sunscreens: the 2-in-1 skincare that modern women need
Beauty junkies familiar with J-beauty would know that the Japanese are big on sun protection for brighter skin, and KOSÉ SEKKISEI is one of the leaders in this aspect, and is well-known for using oriental herbal ingredients in its formulas to create beautiful translucent skin.
To help combat the common problems with sunscreen, SEKKISEI has taken its sunscreens to the next level by adding greater skincare benefits while making it more comfortable than ever before: think protection against dryness, roughness, and dark spots, all while leaving a non-sticky feel on the skin!
A key Asian herb that SEKKISEI incorporates in this lineup of sunscreens is Job’s tears: the seeds are used for their moisturising and brightening effect, whereas the ferment filtrate encourages production of ceramides while providing antioxidant benefits, so that your skin stays well-protected and nourished at the same time.
Think that this medicinal herb is only found in minute amounts? You’ll be surprised to know that SEKKISEI has included 80% Job’s tears extract in its sunscreen for the maximum benefits!
Other Oriental herbs that the brand has incorporated into the sunscreens include the Angelica acutiloba extract, which has antibacterial, brightening, and moisturising effects, as well as Melothria heterophylla (white lotus), which inhibits the growth of melanin, the key behind skin pigmentation.
If you are skeptical about the benefits of the herbs used, here’s a clinical research that will change your mind: in a study done on 128 subjects aged 20-39, a whooping 87% answered that their skin did not feel dry after using the brand’s sunscreens!
While all the sunscreens in this range boast high coverage, ease of application & removal, and a plethora of skincare benefits, you are still recommended to choose a format based on your lifestyle and skin needs. The good news is that there is one formulated for every type of woman in mind, so go ahead and find the one you need:
For those who love sports: SEKKISEI Skincare UV Milk
If you are always out doing sports for long hours, sun protection is probably always on your mind (it should be!), but sunscreen almost never feels comfortable on the skin, especially when mixed with sweat and sebum.
What you need is a high-coverage sunscreen that comes in a comfortable texture and can withstand sweat so that you can have fun in the sun, and SEKKISEI Skincare UV Milk ticks all the right boxes.
This sunscreen comes in a smooth, milk texture that is easily absorbed by skin – it spreads easily onto your face and body without leaving behind a sticky feel, while moisturising your skin so that it doesn’t get dry and rough from the long sun exposure.
That’s not all the protection it offers: the UV Milk also shields your skin from other environmental damage that you’re unaware of, including dust, dirt, and pollen, so that you can have ease of mind working out in the urban city.
For those worried about their makeup pilling or coming off from excess oil, you’ll be pleased to know that this sunscreen is formulated with sebum adsorption ingredients, so ahead and use this as your primer and your foundation will stay on for as long as you need.
No time to reapply your sunscreen after every round of tennis? Not a problem – the UV Milk is waterproof enough to withstand sweat and water! At the end of the day, you can simply remove all the sunscreen using your usual facial cleanser or body soap.
SEKKISEI Skincare UV Milk (60g) retails at SGD36.
For those who dislike greasy skincare: SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel
No one likes the feeling of oil clogging their pores, especially not those of us who are unfortunate enough to have oily skin, huge pores, AND a tendency to sweat buckets in Singapore’s unforgiving weather.
If you’ve been skipping sunscreen because everything just feels gross and greasy, you no longer have an excuse with SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel.
The moisture-rich sunscreen promises no stickiness or heaviness on your skin, only comfortable hydration that keeps sun spots, dryness, and roughness at bay. All skin types soak this format up easily – in fact, it feels so light that you’ll even forget that you’re wearing it!
This all-rounder that protects you from all kinds of environmental pollution is also suitable to be used as a makeup base, so feel free to use it right before your foundation to help your foundation stay longer and keep your face grease-free.
SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel (90g) retails at SGD32.
For those who have no time: SEKKISEI Skincare UV Tone Up
We know that adding an extra step in your morning routine is not the easiest thing to do – the extra waiting time in between steps often means waking up earlier, or risk being late.
With that in mind, we highly recommend SEKKISEI Skincare UV Tone UP, a sunscreen that protects and colour corrects your skin at the same time.
The lavender colour of the product counters yellow tones and sallow skin so that your face instantly looks brighter, while the 80% Job’s tears extract in the formula protects your skin against dryness from prolonged sun exposure.
You can use this as an all-in-one beauty product that does everything from serum to foundation, covering multiple steps in just one swipe, so adding this to your skincare routine actually cuts down the amount of time spent instead – sweet!
SEKKISEI Skincare UV Tone Up (35g) retails at SGD23.
For those who are always on the go: SEKKISEI Skincare UV Stick
Loathe messy skincare products that spill easily? You won’t go wrong with the SEKKISEI Skincare UV Stick, a stick-type sunscreen that promises zero mess and zero fuss.
Whether you are doing your skincare during your morning train commute (we know, life happens) or touching up as per the recommended two hours, this smooth sunscreen stick allows you to get your needed sun protection as and when you need it – simply rub it on and you’re done!
Stick-format sunscreens are also highly recommended for those with sensitive skin, so those whose skin does not react well to chemical sunscreens can consider trying this allergy-tested one instead
If you are using this to touch up on your sun protection throughout your day (which you should already be doing!), go ahead and apply this right over your makeup, but make sure to gently blend with your fingers after reapplying.
P.S. The UV Stick is also travel-friendly, so remember to put this in your carry-on for reapplication during your long-haul flight!
SEKKISEI Skincare UV Stick (20g) retails at SGD28.
All four KOSÉ sunscreens are available at major Departmental Stores, Welcia, Don Don Donki, and Lazada.
This article is brought to you by Kose Singapore.
