If you follow any skincare content creators on Instagram, I am sure you’ve seen the glowing reviews on the Skin1004 SPF. I knew I needed to try it for myself though, especially since I have oily skin and SPF is never really my best friend when it comes to shine.
For reference, up until the Skin1004 one, my favorite sunscreens have been:
Untinted mineral: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk SPF 30
Untinted chemical/organic: Isntree Hyaluronic Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ (see my review)
So let’s talk about this SPF that I recently finished the entire tube!
Hyalu-Cica SPF Benefits
The formula quickly melts into the skin for a weightless feel.
This has easily become one of my favorite sunscreens I’ve used in the past few years. For only $15 on Amazon or a shocking $9 on Stylevana (and similar pricing on YesStyle) right now, you truly cannot beat this one.
Of course, we expect Korean sunscreens to perform at a higher level, aesthetically. But this one really does a great job for those with oily skin.
It’s pore-friendly
One of my biggest concerns with trying new sun protection products is if they’re going to turn my skin into a congested mess. I am happy to report that this SPF made no noticeable negative differences in my skin texture, irritation, or inflammation.
In fact, I think the Skin 1004 sunscreen made my skin happier over time. As I continued to use it, my skin looked smoother and smoother, which suggests more that the previous SPF I was using was not my skin’s favorite (rather than that this SPF improved skin texture).
And of course, I double cleansed daily to remove the SPF.
Extremely lightweight finish
An example of a morning skincare routine. All those layers and absolutely no pilling from the SKIN1004 Sun Serum.
If I ever say a sunscreen has a light feel, 9 times out of 10, it’ll be an Asian product. It’s no surprise then that this also falls into the category of having a great texture. It’s slightly thicker than the Isntree one (which feels more like a gel cream), but it still leaves a really nice natural finish to the skin.
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that won’t make you look overly oily, this is a great option! Compared to the Isntree watery sun gel, I would say this is a little bit dewier. But it definitely is not dewy. It’s in the natural to dewy middleground. Perfectly suitable for combo and oily skin types. But if you use a moisturizer and a facial oil before this product, you can expect your skin to maintain that dewiness. It does not have anything that will help soak up that oil or mattify the skin over time.
Important to note: I did not experience any eye sting with this one. And yes, I am the type to put 3-finger lengths on just my face (cheeks, forehead, and eyelids).
ingredients of the skin1004 sunscreen
True to the name, there are 3 different types of hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate at 10 ppm, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid at 1 ppm, and hyaluronic acid at 0.01 ppm). Other notable ingredients include the cica (the other part of the name) at 9800 ppm. It’s also got other botanical extracts including green tea extract, broccoli sprout extract, ginkgo biloba extract, and wheat sprout extract.
The bulk of the formulation is hydrating (like propanediol, glycerin, and butylene glycol) and moisturizing ingredients (like caprylate/caprate, caprylyl methicone). It also has niacinamide pretty high up in the ingredient list, which I know people really go crazy for lately! The majority of the lower ingredients are going to be to create the “gel cream” portion of the formula to give it the texture I love.
Negatives about the Skin1004 SPF
In all of my reviews, I typically like to have some balance to it. My initial review stated that one of my negatives was that the packaging might be its downfall when the final bits of product are coming out. Typically, these tubes stop working when there’s 1/3 to 1/4 of the product left in the tube and you’re left squeezing it at weird angles.
I am happy to confirm that is not the case here. The tube actually creates a vacuum, which pulls the remaining product out completely. Yes, of course, you will have to cut the tube open to. get the last last product out, but that is leaps and bounds better than a traditional tube.
And yes, I will be taking the emptied tube in for recycling!
The formula? Prime.
The packaging? Prime.
The overall experience? Prime.
10s across the board for this sunscreen and I wouldn’t change a thing. So no negatives here.
Is the Skin1004 Sunscreen Worth It?
The Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum is honestly one of my favorite products! From the formula to the finish, I truly cannot get enough of it. It easily has become one of my daily drivers.
My biggest gripe is that the Amazon storefront for Skin1004 doesn’t have the Sun Serum on it (at least at the time of posting), so you have to buy it on Stylevana. But Stylevana always takes a long time to ship and usually has a higher order minimum. And while the purchasing process is not a fault of Skin1004, it is definitely something that is worth bringing up.
It’s also important to note that the Amazon products are sold by third-party vendors, so it is always a dicey process. So Stylevana or YesStyle are much more reputable in terms of getting you the actual product.
So—are you picking one up?
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