Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun UV White Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

I've heard many good things about this before I purchased it. So I went into it with high expectations. To my surprise, it's surpassed them. The texture is a light lotion (comparable to the Hada Labo hyalauronic milk) and it blends right into the skin with no white cast (but with a slight sheen left on the skin). It doesn't have added fragrance but there's a slight sunscreen smell (I might be a weirdo, but I actually like the smell of sunscreen so I don't find it too bothersome). There's no tint to this so it doesn't conceal any blemishes very well, but it does still have a 'beautifying' effect - it hydrates the skin and the sheen left behind makes for a 'glass skin' look.
One drawback of this is that it comes in a jar. It isn't portable, in my opinion, and the application is more finicky than it would be if in a typical sunscreen bottle. However, this is a case of the positives outweighing the negatives.
I did some research on this before buying and as far as I could tell, the filters used are: octinoxate, parsol slx, tinosorb s, uvinol A plus, and titanium dioxide. I have sensitive skin and this is the first sunscreen with chemical filters that hasn't made my face red. And I mean there was no redness whatsoever. No blotchiness near my jawline, no red cheeks. It's amazing!

This sunscreen is amazing. Being a women of color it has been hard to find a sunscreen with no white cast or flashback. This sunscreen melts in with absolutely no white cast. It absorbs right into my skin without feeling greasy. It also plays well with my other makeup with no pilling. I am forever a customer of this sunscreen.

No white cast, does not irritate my skin and great SPF. Recommended by Dr Dray!

TL;DR- Best protection, aesthetics and value. Versitile formula that can fit into most people’s routine.

In the past year I’ve tried close to 30 highly rated US and Asian sunscreens and this is the all around best for a number of reasons. It uses mostly chemical UV filters (with a small amount of titanium dioxide) which means no white cast. The combination of UV filters (octinoxate, Parsol SLX, Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus & TiO2) is the best most comprehensive I’ve seen. In insolation this cocktail covers the spectrum of UVA/B and in combination they stabilize each other adding to their efficacy.

The formula is so light weight and dries down with minimal shine that it can be incorporated into almost any regimine. It has a slight humectant action with two types of hyaluronic acid. No emollient or occlusive properties. I would say most people would want to use some kind of moisturizer with this (under or over) depending on skin type and climate. I could see very oily skin and/or very hot and humid climates using this alone. That being said it’s not waterproof so if you are sweating a lot you’d need to think about more frequent reapplication. The benign nature of the formula means that it can fit into most routines. I can change my moisturizer and other products based on season and skin needs while keeping this as my sunscreen.

Finally, if all of those things weren’t great enough... the price is unbelievable! Running the cost per mL on other products with similar ingredients and asthetics this is by far the best value.

Caveats-

I’m not a huge fan of the packaging. The jar can make it difficult for reapplication on-the-go and exposes the product to more oxygen and light (when open) which could theoretically shorten shelf life. I’d prefer a tube option.

I like to put sunscreen around my eyes and on my eyelids and I can’t do that with this. Under eyes seems to be ok for me but brow bone and eye lid application leads to pretty uncomfortable tearing and irritation throughout the day. That being said, eye sensitivity varries greatly from person to person and I’ve never found a chemical sunscreen that agrees with my eyes.

I heard of this product from a Youtuber I watch named Dr Dray, she is also a dermatologist. She goes really in depth about the ingredients in products that she reviews and this is one of her favourite sunscreens. It has a lot of helpful ingredients for uv protection that western sunscreens don't have AND its light weight compared to many western sunscreens that are greasy and heavy feeling on the face. I would agree with her, I have been really enjoying this sunscreen. It has a very subtle sunscreen smell but nothing even close to the heavy scent of western ones. It doesn't bother me even as a person who hates scents in the skincare. I have also tried the Boire sunscreen which I do like too but that one has a noticeable alcohol base to it that can be drying on the skin and this one doesn't. It sits well under my makeup too. I strongly recommend this product if you are looking for a sunscreen.

I have been using this for quite a few months now, and I can happily say that my dark sun spot on my face is not very dark at all, now! I love this product. I cannot be without it. Also, before trying any Asian sunscreens, my children and I were all allergic to the sunscreens available in Australia. But, we can use this safely! I'm extremely happy with this!

When I get halfway through the pot, I re-order the next jar, so I never run out. I'm so happy to be able to safely use sunscreen again.

This goes on very nicely, and doesn't seem to leave much of a white cast on my skin. I have a dark sun spot, and I've only used this for two days, and it seems slightly lighter, but time will tell. Very pleasant to use.

I love this! It's like a very light, gel-cream moisturiser, but with very high SPF and PA. It goes on like a dream, very silky smooth and hydrating. It doesn't leave any white cast, any shine, any oiliness. My face feels amazing after using it. I will definitely repurchase. The only downside is the packaging - it would be amazing to have this in a pump or a squeezy tube. But it does deserve 5 stars for the formulation, because it's amazing. This is the kind of sunscreen that you look forward to applying every single day. I don't even apply anything else in the morning - I wash my face, apply this and I am done.

I just finished this sunscreen. I used this on over the past few months starting from november/december. I'm not really sure why people think this is not sticky, as I really have to be careful with my hair when applying this. It is sticky at first but ones it dried it is all good. I do have a normal to dry/dehydrated skin acne-prone, on some days I do think this sunscreen can be a bit drying. (when I used it in the winter) since I have not use this sunscreen during the summer I cannot tell if this sunscreen is suitable for humid and hot environments. As all the other reviewers have mentioned, this sunscreen does not leave a whitecast!

It was my very first time trying this product. I am literally amazed! It is absorbed so fast, without fragrance and the skin is afterwards soft, plumped, hydrated and most importantly - protected!
I will definitely purchase again.

i use it for over a year now. it has nothing to prove anymore. now that I discovered the klair’s one I use both: first klair’s then hada Labo and they work beautifully. i love them both. it works like hell under make up because of the hyaluronic acid, the skin is supple and nourished, I think it’s an extraordinary primer, no need to use a separate ine. I think my quest is done.

I really love that gel. It’s a very watery cream, very hydrating and absolutely no white cast. It’s my second jar. This I’ll put the cream in a glass bottle with a pump, more handy I think. I recommend :)

This sunblock is just amazing! I could use it under makeup without any problem. No white cast what so ever! Not greasy or oily. Feels very hydrating. I love it highly recommend to any one!

Cannot leave the house without applying it first!  Light and hydrating without leaving white streaks. Doesn't block pores. Just wish they have tube packaging instead of tub then I can take it anywhere in handbag.