For a lot of people, being consistent with daily sunscreen application is still difficult mainly due to the uncomfortable textures of sunscreens or because they cause acne. During summer you have no choice but to use it, because you have to protect your skin from burns. But, when winter comes, many ditch sunscreen completely. I used to do the same in the past. As someone with oily and acne prone skin it was a struggle to find something that wouldn’t make my skin look gross at the end of the day.

But thanks to Korean sunscreens that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. There are plenty options to choose from with comfortable textures that feel velvety smooth without being heavy or sticky.

I’ll be sharing another hidden gem with you in this post: the Hamel Vegan Relief Water Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++.

What is it: An organic (chemical) sunscreen.

Where to buy: You can find this at Oshen Skin (get 15% OFF on all regular priced items using my link).

Price: $26

Volume: 50ml (1.69 fl.oz.)

PAO: 12 months after opening.

Packaging: This is the most unique packaging for a sunscreen. Cute egg shaped sturdy plastic, but the product can be squeezed out easily. I love its aesthetic and I carry it with me everywhere I go.

Application

As always, you need to be generous with sunscreen application to reach the labelled protection. Use after your skincare routine. Moisturizer is optional depending on your skin type and condition. Wait a few minutes for the sunscreen to set before applying makeup.

How does the Hamel Vegan Relief Water Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ perform

• Protection:
SPF50+ PA++++

• Texture and finish:

Smooth lotion texture which glides effortlessly on the skin. Initial glowy finish but non-greasy and leaves zero stickiness! The finish becomes more natural over time. I love how healthy the complexion looks when the light hits the skin.

• Does it contain alcohol?
No alcohol included.

• Fragrance/Scent?
No added fragrance or essential oils. Perfect choice for those that would like to avoid fragrance due to skin sensitivities.

• Is it drying?
This is a moisturizing sunscreen so it doesn’t make the skin dry or tight. Stays moisturizing and doesn’t mattify.

• Does it leave a white cast?
No whitecast. Tinosorb M leaves a slight cast at first, however, it becomes completely transparent within just a few minutes.

• Irritation or breakouts?
This doesn’t break me out and neither irritates my skin.

• How does it work with makeup?
This sunscreen creates such a smooth canvas for makeup. You don’t need any primer and works even better than a moisturizer under your base. Makes fine lines and pores less visible and makeup just glides over without clinging or settling in creases.

• Does it sting the eyes?
No. Unlike the other Hamel sunscreen Glow Sun Serum, I can apply this generously on my eyelids and my eyes do not sting.

• Easy to re-apply?
Yes. This type of texture is great for re-applying especially for dry skin types. If your sunscreen makes your skin tight after some time the last thing you want to do is apply another layer of it. This keeps the skin moisturized and doesn’t get uncomfortable.

Ingredients

The Hamel Vegan Relief Water Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ uses these new generation chemical UV filters that are known for their stability:

Uvinul A Plus (high UVA protection), Uvinul T 150 (highest photo-stable absorption of all available UVB filters), Tinosorb M (broad spectrum – highly photostable), Iscotrizinol/Uvasorb HEB (UVA II and UVB).

One thing I love about Korean sunscreens is that they include additional ingredients for skincare. Anti-acne, antioxidant and soothing: Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, Green Tea, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Adenosine.

No alcohol, fragrance, or essential oils.

Purified Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzyol Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, T-butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol.


Final Verdict on the Vegan Relief Water Essence Sun Cream

Pros

  • SPF 50+, PA++++
  • Moisturizing, but non-greasy.
  • Lotion-like texture.
  • Glowy finish (not overly dewy).
  • Velvety finish, non-sticky.
  • No whitecast.
  • No pilling.
  • Works beautifully with makeup.
  • It doesn’t sting the eyes.
  • Suitable for all skin types, oily skin can use it in winter.
  • No alcohol, fragrance or EOs.
  • Cruelty-free & Vegan.

Cons

  • Not ideal for oily skin in hot humid climate.

I love a sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer because it makes my morning routine simpler. The less products I use, the less likely I am to break out as well. This is moisturizing enough to replace your AM moisturizer unless you have very dry skin. Oily skin can give it a try in the winter. Feels velvety smooth, doesn’t leave any cast and preps the skin beautifully for makeup. If you like the Beauty of Joseon, Skin1004 and Scinic, you’re going to like this one too. Plus the packaging is very pretty!

Now you don’t have any excuse not to wear sunscreen in winter. Trust me, 10-20 years down the road your skin will thank you for it.


Did you find this Vegan Relief Water Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ Review helpful? What’s your favorite Korean sunscreen?

*PR– Product provided by Oshen Skin, but opinions are completely my own.
*Affiliate Links – It means I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product through the links I have provided at no extra cost to you.