Versus

Biore UV Watery Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ Versus Issy Active Foundation - YF1.5 - Fair Light Warm

Sunscreen
Foundation
Japanese Brand Japan
Filipino Brand Philippines

Updated on November 06, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
UV Watery Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
Active Foundation

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Cleansing, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.

In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

320 Routines
97% use in am
3% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1 Routine
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every as_needed

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Biore UV Watery Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 36 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 5 ratings
Great Value (3) Works Well (3) Light Scent (3)
tofunway29's avatar

tofunway29

1 year ago
Review

New formula has tone-up and I dont like it.
I had used 3 bottles of this in last couple of years. But the one I bought in 2023 has tone-up and it has quite sticky texture to touch. My skin is super oily and has yellow complexion, that's why I don't want tone-up. Overall, it is still a very good product.

Danananana's avatar

Danananana

2 years ago
Review

Best Sunscreen
Provides ample skin protection and coverage, pleasantly melts into skin and leaves no stickiness and discomfort of something being on the face. Easily applied all over with watery gel texture. Pleasant smell that does not overwhelm and fades, with no irritiation. Also very affordable.

Issy Active Foundation 38 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Medium Coverage (2) Good Color (2) Buildable (1)
aquabanana's avatar

aquabanana

1 month ago
Review

Issy has got me on a chokehold. From base to finish, I have a product of theirs. But this foundation breaks me out literally within 24hrs of using it. I can't recommend it to my fellow oily-sensitive-large pore girlies out there. I would recommend their skin tint instead.

But, if you're one of the very lucky ones with skin that can take in the ingredients, have a go at this foundation-- it has Show more

#medium coverage
#natural
#good color