Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 is the US version of the Japanese cult sunscreen UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, reformulated with US-approved filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene) and sold as a daily hydrating facial moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. Bioré says it absorbs instantly with no white cast and works under makeup, and Allure's tester reports no cast on brown skin. Creators who compared both versions say it keeps the watery feel but is not identical to the Japanese essence. It contains alcohol and fragrance and is not water resistant.

Best for

Everyday face sunscreen under makeup on a budget
Dry or sensitive skin that wants a light, hydrating texture (alcohol and fragrance permitting)
US shoppers who want a Japanese-style feel without importing

Why it’s trending

Allure Best of Beauty winner in 2024 and 2026

Source

What we love

Lightweight watery texture that absorbs fast
No white cast and works under makeup
Inexpensive and easy to find at US retailers
Official US product sold directly by Bioré and at US retailers

Worth knowing

Contains alcohol denat. and fragrance
Not water resistant
Different formula from the Japanese UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence fans know

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

7.8Good

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%7.7
Reviewers report an invisible, no-white-cast finish that sits well under makeup, though its protection relies on older US filters rather than the Japanese version's newer ones.
Formula & ingredients20%6.8
Standard US filters at full strength with hyaluronic acid, but alcohol denat. and fragrance plus allergens make it a poorer fit for sensitive skin, and it is not water resistant.
Texture & experience15%8.0
Creators who compared it with the Japanese essence say it keeps the signature watery break with a slightly more filmy finish.
Value20%9.0
$15.99 for 1.7 fl oz at the brand store, and widely sold at drugstores, makes it one of the cheapest elegant face sunscreens in the US.
Community love15%7.4
Welcomed as a legal US option, but enthusiasts often still prefer the imported Japanese Watery Essence.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Watery, weightless lotion with micro gel capsules that the brand says melts into skin

Format

Sunscreen lotion

Finish

Natural

Sun protection

SPF 50· Chemical

Fragrance

Contains fragrance — Fragranced (fragrance, citral, geraniol, limonene and linalool are listed)

Size

1.7 fl oz / 50 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

What’s in it: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 5%, with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin. Alcohol denat. is the second ingredient. Not water resistant.

How to use

Apply generously and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every 2 hours; use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

Claims & certifications

Dermatologist-tested
Non-comedogenic

Full ingredient list (INCI)27 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

Active: Avobenzone 3%,
Homosalate 10%,
Octisalate 5%,
Octocrylene 5%. Inactive: Water,
Alcohol Denat.,
Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer,
Diethylhexyl 2,
6Naphthalate,
Glycerin,
Dextrin Palmitate,
Dicaprylyl Ether,
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer,
Fragrance,
Glyceryl Behenate,
Phenyl Trimethicone,
Cetyl Alcohol,
Sorbitan Distearate,
Sodium Hydroxide,
Stearoyl Glutamic Acid,
Arginine,
Disodium EDTA,
Sodium Hyaluronate,
Phenoxyethanol,
Citral,
Geraniol,
Limonene,
Linalool.

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

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Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$15.99

for 1.7 fl oz / 50 ml

Per ounce

$9.46

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 41% less per ounce than the typical sunscreen we review. Our value score: 9.0/10 for a drugstore pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop8835 sold Buy from the brand$15.99

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Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

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FAQ

Good questions.

Is this the same as the Japanese Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence?

No. Bioré calls it the Japanese cult classic revamped for the US: it uses US-approved filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene) instead of the Japanese formula's filters, and creators who compared them describe a similar watery feel but a different finish.

Is it water resistant?

No. The directions say to use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating and to reapply at least every 2 hours.

Does it contain alcohol or fragrance?

Yes. Alcohol denat. is the second ingredient, and fragrance plus citral, geraniol, limonene and linalool are listed, so very sensitive skin may react.

Why is the US formula different from the Japanese one?

In the US, sunscreens are regulated by the FDA as over-the-counter drugs, which limits brands to an approved list of UV filters. Bioré describes this version as its Japanese cult classic revamped for the US, with avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene, and dermatologist Dr. Jane Yoo's comparison video attributes the differences to the filters, texture and scent.

Sources we checked (7)