Missha all round safe sun block aqua, essence, daily sunscreen comparison review

Missha has been killing the sunscreen game for a long time.  Why are there so many options though and how do we all navigate through choosing the right one?  That was a question I asked, so I picked up three of them from their best seller line!  I do realize there was a purple version, but that one was out of stock as I went to check out, unfortunately.  So here we are, a Missha sunscreen comparison between all of Missha’s all-round safe sunblock aqua, essence, and daily.  Which one works with what skin type and which one do I personally like.  Let’s get into it!

Full name of product:
Missha all around safe block aqua sun gel

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent

Description of product:
“A hydrating sunscreen that quickly absorbs into the skin to moisturize and soothe tired skin after sun exposure with a cooling sensation.
Relief water: It moisturizes and soothes the skin.
Oriental tea Newplex helps to protect the skin from environmental aggressors.”

Sunscreen:
SPF 50+ PA+++

Price:
11,800 won

Amount of product:
50 mL

Duration before expiration:
1 year

Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea

Where to buy:
Jolse

Ingredients:
Water, Homosalate, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, VP/​Hexadecene Copolymer, Acrylates/​Dimethicone Copolymer, Glacier Water, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Water, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Water, Methoxy PEG/​PPG-25/​4 Dimethicone, Bis-PEG/​PPG-20/​5 PEG/​PPG-20/​5 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Product packaging:
All three of Missha’s all round safe sunblock come in this simple white tube which you twist off the cap and dispense the sunscreen.  The only way to tell the difference between the three sunscreens would be the number on the tube. The three versions I have are practically identical other than the different version names and colors.

Texture + white cast?:
Out of the three that I have, this is definitely the lightest in texture with a creamy gel consistency that absorbs into the skin relatively quickly.  The Missha aqua sun gel has the same consistency as the Biore UV aqua rich watery essence and also has the same issues I have with the Biore one.  With my dry skin type, this version doesn’t offer me any hydration and seems to dry my skin out after 2 hours.  I live in a low humidity climate and am usually in a heated building, so I need added humidity.

This aqua sun gel doesn’t give you a dewy finish either, so it would be perfect for those with normal to oily skin types, or if you just want a sunscreen you don’t feel, this is perfect for you.  There is no white cast, so it would work with all skin tones as well!

Fragrance?:
There is a strong floral scent that takes a bit of time to fade away after application.  Smell-o-scale: 7/10 in terms of how strong the scent is.  In the list of ingredients, there doesn’t seem to be any added fragrance, so I’m not sure where the scent is coming from.

Pro:
-no white cast
-absorbs without piling

Con:
-not hydrating enough for dry skin

Repurchase?:
No

Stars given out of 5:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall thoughts:
Sadly this aqua gel version didn’t work for me and my dry skin type.  I knew Jude from Fifty shades of snail absolutely loves this sunscreen and has gone through so many tubes of it. My skin type is much drier than hers, so I would only recommend this version to oily and normal skin types.  Any other skin type will find this dehydrating.

Full name of product:
Missha all around safe block daily sun

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent

Description of product:
“A daily sunscreen provides powerful UV protection to the skin with a refreshing feeling.  The moisturizing formula closely adheres to the skin while giving a natural finish without white residue.
Flower Water complex relief water and patented Oriental Tea Newflex protects your skin safely.”

Sunscreen:
SPF 50+ PA++++

Price:
11,800 won

Amount of product:
50 mL

Duration before expiration:
1 year

Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea

Where to buy:
Jolse
Stylekorean
Amazon US

Ingredients:
Water, Homosalate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Stearate, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/​Leaf Extract, Myristic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Citric Acid, VP/​Hexadecene Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/​Dimethicone Copolymer

Texture + white cast?:
Missha all around safe sunblock daily version might be the worst of the three.  I’m not sure if I got a dud, but this sunscreen always seems to spilt between oil and cream.  I always have to mix it back together on my skin, which is super unpleasant to have to deal with.  This is the thickest of the three and offers a little bit of hydration with a slightly dewy finish.

I’m not sure if you are picking up on it, but there is a light white cast with this version.  It isn’t heavy, but I would maybe avoid this one if you are going to get photographed with flash.

Fragrance?:
This Missha all-around safe sunblock daily version is a pretty strong fragrance to it that doesn’t seem to want to dissipate after application. Smell-o-scale 8/10 in terms of how strong it is and it smells a bit like floral mango.  I would stay away from this sunscreen if you are sensitive to fragrance.

Pro:
-offers a bit of hydration

Con:
-tends to splits in the tube
-light white cast
-strong fragrance that doesn’t dissipate

Repurchase?:
No

Stars given out of 5:
⭐️⭐️

Overall thoughts:
I gave this sunscreen two stars out of five because of how finicky it is to work with.  It always splits in the tube and when I forget to shake it beforehand, I just squirt out oil.  After applying it for more than five minutes now, the scent is still strong as heck and it just won’t dissipate.  I want to apply sunscreen, not perfume on my face, thank you very much.  Overall this is a no-go for me and I would avoid this sunscreen at all costs.

Full name of product:
Missha all around safe block essence sun

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent

Description of product:
“A moisturizing sunscreen provides intense nourishment and hydration to the skin.  Moisturizing ingredients replenish sun-exposed skin with rich moisture and nourishment.

Advanced double layer polymer system stays in place for longer through sweat, water, and heat to protect your skin from harmful UVA/ UVB rays.

Nourishing 6 essence complex
Hydrates and conditions with a botanical blend of natural plant extract to help reveal a softer, brighter, clearer-looking complexion.

Oriental tea newplex, Antozone-Rose bud extract, 6 essence complex, Thaneka extract.”

Sunscreen:
SPF45 PA+++

Price:
11,800 won

Amount of product:
50 mL

Duration before expiration:
1 year

Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea

Where to buy:
Jolse
Stylekorean
Amazon US

Ingredients:
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/​Dimethicone Copolymer, VP/​Hexadecene Copolymer, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Panthenol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance

Texture + white cast?:
Now the Missha all-around safe sunblock essence personally has the most comfortable texture that is a cross between the gel and cream texture.  Rubbing it into the skin, it feels like the aqua sun gel but then melts into the skin with a bit of body. It gives the skin decent hydration for my dry skin type and the hydration level builds with reapplication.

There also isn’t any white cast, which makes this sunscreen all that much perfect.

Fragrance?:
Unlike the daily version, this is the mildest fragrance of the three, ranking a smell-o-scale: 5/10 and the scent fades after application.

Pro:
-hydrating
-no white cast
-comfortable finish

Con:
No complaints

Repurchase?:
Maybe

Stars given out of 5:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall thoughts:
This one is definitely my favorite of the three.  It is hydrating, not a perfume in sunscreen form, and is just so comfortable on the skin without any type of white cast.  Missha’s all-around safe sunblock essence works for dry, combo, and normal skin types!  I honestly think this one is way better than the aqua sun gel as it is more versatile and doesn’t pile either.

Here is a texture comparison with all three versions.  As you can see, aqua has the lightest texture, while essence is a close second.  The daily version has the thickest consistency of the three, but it still is relatively lightweight on the skin.

And here is the white cast comparison.  All three aren’t shabby in terms of white cast, but the daily one just has a slight white cast.  Not bad though, all still quite workable.

___________________________

Of the three, which one would you choose?  I clearly like the essence version for my dry skin type haha.

*PR sample