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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ versus Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ .

Last updated on February 08, 2024. Published on February 15, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen Japanese Brand Japan
Sunscreen South Korean Brand South Korea

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

Starts at $8.99
Shop

Buy Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UVA absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm) and photostability.

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%.

UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.

UV rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. Other sources include tanning beds and welding torches. Radiation is the emission of energy. UV Rays are divided into 3 groups. UVA (320-400 nm) contains the least amount of energy. They are linked to long term skin damage such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA in skin cells. UVB causes sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer. UVC (200-280 nm) contains the highest amount of energy. Our ozone blocks UVC. UVC can also originate from welding torches, mercury lamps, and sanitizing bulbs.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 11.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 14.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 18.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 3.

7
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind to large amounts of water. This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.

Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing,

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 32.

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 17.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

29% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
21% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
3% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 34 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 20 ratings
Light (4) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (1) Doesn't Work (1) Light Scent (1)
imyourdorito's avatar

imyourdorito

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

I'll start by saying that yes, this feels like practically nothing on the skin, and it's very similar to a primer as far as texture goes.

BUT...

I'll start by saying that yes, this feels like practically nothing on the skin, and it's very similar to a primer as far as texture goes.

BUT once applied, I didn't feel the same level of protection as with the European SPFs I used to use. I even applied half of each on my face to compare:

With the European one I experienced a cooling effect and didn't feel any heat touching my skin, it was like being hugged by icecream (a weird comparison, but it's the closest I can think of). Meanwhile, with this one, I didn't feel anything? I felt the heat touching my skin as much as on my non-protected areas, and there was no cooling effect whatsoever.

Is it cosmetically elegant? Yes. Is it cheaper than any European SPF? Yes. But I prefer not to play around with sun protection knowing the damage it can cause, and I don't feel 100% safe using this one.

JamimaShamimSoha_575's avatar

JamimaShamimSoha_575

8 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

no white cast, non comedogenic, gives a nice satin finish, ultra lightweight

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 40 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 24 ratings
Absorbs Well (7) Hydrating (6) Works Well (5) Light (4) No Scent (3) Irritating (2)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

4 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This reef-safe chemical sunscreen stands out with its naturally glowy and non-greasy finish. It has the texture of a medium moist cream, spreads...

This reef-safe chemical sunscreen stands out with its naturally glowy and non-greasy finish. It has the texture of a medium moist cream, spreads nicely and dries quickly in just a few minutes, making it easy to apply. It leaves no greasy or sticky residue, and there's no white cast or pilling to worry about. Notably, this sunscreen is highly moisturizing and can effectively replace the need for an additional moisturizer. It's my favourite one during the winter moths. However, I find it bit too moisturizing during the summer. Overall, it is an excellent choice for those looking for moisturizing sun protection without the drawbacks of a heavy or greasy sunscreen.

jDragneel's avatar

jDragneel

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Been using this for a little over a week AM + PM and it seems to be working well. It is not causing my skincare OR makeup to pill, and doesn’t seem...

Been using this for a little over a week AM + PM and it seems to be working well. It is not causing my skincare OR makeup to pill, and doesn’t seem to be causing any breakouts. It also feels very soothing and moisturizing, not too greasy, although it does take a few minutes to dry down. Will continue to monitor but for now my combo/acne prone skin is happy.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++.

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