Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence SPF50+ PA++++

Been using this Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence SPF50+ PA++++ (2021 version, now discontinued) off and on for months. No, not that a 70g tube would last me for months, but rather I don't use this sunscreen on a daily basis, and not by itself either. 

If the "light up" in its name were any clue, yes, this is a discreetly pearly and shimmery version of the ever popular Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (note: link is for an old version that was discontinued and updated a few times over the years). This "light up" version isn't tinted in any way, as in it's translucent white, and it sets to a dewy matte finish, with the dewiness coming the micro pearls and shimmers, so don't worry, it isn't at all in your face sparkly. 

 

I don't wear this "light up" sunscreen by itself though. Instead, for the summer months, I prefer to add a dollop of it (or any other light-up or tone-up sunscreen really) to my sunscreen cocktails for a subtle brightening effect. In the winter when my skin is ashy or dull, I layer a drop of liquid highlighter or subtly shimmery primer on top of my moisturizer, then the usual sunscreen cocktail on top of that. This version has been discontinued earlier this spring, but there's a new reformulated replacement, which I'll probably try given this one has been pretty decent.  

 

Here are the technicalities: the packaging says it's waterproof but is removable with any facial cleanser, and it contains the chemical filters octinoxate (メトキシケイヒ酸エチルヘキシル), titanium dioxide (酸化チタン), Tinosorb S (ビスエチルヘキシルオキシフェノールメトキシフェニルトリアジン), Uvinul T 150 (エチルヘキシルトリアゾン), and Uvinul A Plus (ジエチルアミノヒドロキシベンゾイル安息香酸ヘキシル). There's a very subtle fragrance that I've stopped noticing.