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I haven’t done a full sunscreen review in a really long time… let’s jump back into it with the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel!
I discovered some of my favourite Korean sunscreens in 2023 and, after seeing lots of stellar reviews about this Isntree Sun Gel, I was really hoping I could add it into my sunscreen rotation.
I spoke about it in my Fragrance-Free, Alcohol-Free Sunscreens post, and also in my blog post comparing and rating all the sunscreens I own. But I have a lot of thoughts about this one so I felt like it warranted its own article.
Going off the description alone, this seems like it should be a formula that works for me. But for some reason it doesn’t…
Here’s what I like and dislike about the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, and why it hasn’t quite made it into my list of sunscreen faves.
What is it?
The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is a lightweight, chemical sunscreen that – due to its high hyaluronic acid content – is supposed to deliver intense hydration to the skin. With its broad spectrum UV filters, this sunscreen also provides effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
It doesn’t contain alcohol or fragrance so it’s a good match for sensitive skin… though maybe not for sensitive eyes (I’ll go into this later!).
What are the standout ingredients?
- Niacinamide – A type of vitamin B3 that has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
- Centella asiatica – A plant extract that helps soothe and hydrate the skin. It also reduces inflammation and dryness.
- Purslane extract – A plant extract that’s high in antioxidants. It also has wound healing and anti-ageing benefits.
- Heartleaf extract – A plant extract that calms irritated skin and regulates sebum production.
- Hyaluronic acid – This sun gel contains eight(!!) different forms of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps the skin stay plump and hydrated.
This sunscreen also contains six UV filters:
- Octisalate – Protects against UVB rays.
- Homosalate – Protects against UVB rays.
- Tinosorb S – Protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Tinosorb M – Protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Polysilicone-15 – Protects against UVB rays.
- Uvinul A Plus – Protects against UVA rays.
How should you use this product?
Start your morning skincare routine by cleansing, toning and moisturising.
Then take your Isntree Sun Gel and squeeze out two strips of sunscreen: one on your index finger and the other on your middle finger. This is meant to be around 2 mg/cm2 which is the amount needed to achieve proper protection from your sunscreen.
Rub the product into your face, not forgetting your eyelids, ears and hairline.
More sunscreen reviews:
ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream
Packaging
The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Sun Gel comes in a 50ml plastic tube with a twist-off cap. It’s pretty standard but I think it works well.
Isntree recently updated the packaging (along with lots of other products). The version with the light blue lid is the old one.
Scent
This sun gel doesn’t contain any fragrance ingredients so it doesn’t have an artificial scent to it. It does, however, have a slight, ‘sunscreen-y’ smell (I’m not quite sure how to describe it!). This is hardly noticeable though, so I doubt it would be enough to put anyone off!
Texture & finish
I can’t fault the texture of this sunscreen at all. It’s soft, light and blends beautifully. It also dries down quickly, leaving a smooth, satin finish behind.
For something that’s meant to be so hydrating, I was expecting it to be a lot more dewy. But actually, once it dries, this is almost matte on my skin. I think this may be because my skin is combination-dry so it kind of sucks up all the moisture!
Overall thoughts
There are a lot of positives about this product… but there’s also one big thing that stops me reaching for it: it stings my eyes.
After wearing this for just a couple of minutes, my eyes feel sore and irritated. I’ve been through the ingredients list and I have no idea why this might be. My only assumption is that I don’t get on with one of the UV filters.
It’s such a shame because I know this sunscreen is a holy grail product for so many people but it just doesn’t work for me.
Honestly, it can sometimes even leave my skin feeling a little bit tight and dry, especially around the eye area. This is obviously not the case for everyone, and many people with sensitive skin actually love this formula, so I’d just advise patch testing this before applying fully.
Where can I buy the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel?
You can grab this sunscreen from the following places:
FAQ
Does the Isntree sunscreen pill?
This doesn’t pill at all, the finish is really smooth and it makes a really great under-makeup base.
Which skin types does the Isntree sunscreen suit?
I’d say this is best suited to normal-combination skin. It contains lots of hydrating ingredients but I don’t actually find it to be that hydrating on the skin. If you want something a bit more nourishing I’d go for the SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum or Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Sun Cream instead.
Does the Isntree sunscreen cause eye stinging?
I don’t think this will cause eye stinging for everyone but personally I do find it quite sensitising. Within a few minutes of applying this my eyes tend to go red and watery.
Does the Isntree sunscreen leave a white cast?
On immediate application this does make my skin look a little brighter, but once it dries down I don’t detect a white cast.
Does the Isntree sunscreen clog pores or cause breakouts?
Since using this sunscreen I haven’t noticed any significant changes in my skin. If you’re unsure about any of the ingredients though, I would suggest doing a patch test before applying this all over your face.
Is the Isntree sunscreen cruelty-free?
According to the Isntree website, all of the brand’s products are cruelty-free!
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