IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP SPF50+ PA++++ is one of a K-Beauty Sunscreen which came up to my radar after the Purito / Keep Cool Sunscreen scandal. IOPE was one of the sunscreen tested and it passed with an SPF value of 57.5 (link to the reddit discussion with video link). It piqued my curiosity, took me a while to get it and test it properly under various conditions, and so here is my review of the IOPE UV Shield Sunscreen!
The Product
Brand
IOPE is a Korean beauty brand, manufactured under the parent company amorepacific group (who has Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree, etc.). So, IOPE is not an indie brand, even though they might not be as famous as the other Amorepacific brand portfolio.
This sunscreen is the first product I tried from them, honestly also it’s the first time I heard about this brand. From what I’ve read, it looks like they are focusing on lab-based functional skin care. We’re partial to science-based innovation at twindly, so this product line sounds like something we might like!
Description & Claims
On their website, the description reads:
A triple function sun cream with a light, refreshing texture that protects the skin from UV rays and fine dust.
IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector
That is quite nice and simple. But, what is their triple function? It doesn’t really say anywhere on their website, the only enumeration of three is
- “Light as a feather” texture
- Protects skin from UV rays and fine dust
- Treatment for signs of aging from UV rays
Let’s see if they can back this up!
Ingredients
Sunscreen Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate / Octinoxate | chemical / organic | UVB (at wavelengths: 280-320 nm) with a peak protection at 310nm | clear, oil-soluble, “cosmetically-elegant” liquid, not photostable (loses 10% of its SPF protection ability within 35 mins), needs other filters to stabilize (like Tinosorb S) |
| Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Tinosorb S | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available elsewhere but the US |
| Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate / Uvinul A Plus | chemical / organic | high UVA protection (320-400 nm) with peak protection at 354nm | high photostability, can be used up to 10%, available elsewhere but the US & Canada |
| Titanium Dioxide (nano) | physical / inorganic | UVB & UVA II – less good at UVA I | possible white cast |
Other Skin Actives
Niaciamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Lactic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate.
Full Ingredients List
Water/Aqua/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (6.5%), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (4.0%), Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (4.0%), Titanium Dioxide (Nano), Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Silica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Trisiloxane, Nylon-12, C14-22 Alcohols, Polyacrylate-13, Aluminum Stearate, Fragrance/Parfum, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyisobutene, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-11, C12-15 Alcohols, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Carbomer, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol
Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector Application
This time, I am armed with the right tools. I had the more precise scale to weigh 0.04 oz (wanted to do 1.23 grams, but the scale is accurate to only one decimal), and a quarter teaspoon to see if this fits exactly that much. For more information on this, check out our Sunscreen Cheat Sheet.
This translates into this much of sunscreen, and even from the picture you can see that the texture of IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector is very dense.
I then transferred this amount to the 1/4 teaspoon, and as you can see from the picture, I am not the most precise person so I got it all over the place. However, you can still see that it still amounts to roughly 1/4 teaspoon.
First Impressions of IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector
On my Face
I applied half of that quarter teaspoon to half of my face and wait some minutes to see how it looks like. In the beginning, you can totally see the white cast, but as time passed, it sort of fades away. There is still some white cast, but it’s that kind of white cast that some Asian cosmetics will call “a whitening / brightening glow”. On my skin tone, it’s still wearable even without foundation, and it might be also be okay for darker skin tone if you don’t mind this slight whitening effect.
The Claims
“Light as a feather” texture
Well, excusez-moi? Are we talking about the same products? If I were to describe this IOPE sunscreen, I would say it’s a moisturizing sunscreen that will protect the skin from UV rays. It’s not lightweight at all. It’s heavy cream. AND sticky when you do the two fingers application.
On the other hand, on their site, they posted this video claiming the non-stickiness of this product. Bear in mind, they only put a tiny dot, but it definitely looks less sticky than their previous iteration (which looks like you can use in lieu of feather glue).
Texture of a less white cast
I like the wording of this one, because they made the comparison to a previous iteration of the product. The sunscreen still has a white cast, just less. Get it?
Fine dust protection
OK, so fine dust is not so easy for me to find and confirm. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety did a check in 2018, but they didn’t mention the names of the brands which passed the test. What they mentioned is if the brand did not pass the test it should remove it from their site. Would it be safe to assume that IOPE actually passed? Most likely, especially since it’s from a reputable company.
What I found interesting though, I usually suffer from some skin rash allergy from grass pollen around this time of the year. IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP seemed to help reducing the rash symptoms and even prevent it on my skin.
IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP Review
In short, I am quite happy with this sunscreen. During the past months, I reached for it often, despite the texture being on the heavier side. It is more suitable for dryer skin in dryer climate (or if you like dewy finish!).
Face Routine
With a quarter teaspoon application, it only works if I just wear the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum (my review here), and NIOD MMHC if I need extra hydration (my review here).
Piling
No piling whatsoever!
Feel on Skin
The result on my combo skin would still be on the tacky side (after a light foundation) and I’d need a setting powder afterwards (or a powder foundation like Fenty Powder Foundation – I’m wearing shade 300, fyi).
A trick I particularly like with this sunscreen is to put on 1/8 of teaspoon on my face, this makes it a more pleasant texture. And then I put 1/8 of teaspoon of the Heliocare 360 color Gel-Oil-Free Foundation/Sunscreen which also has a SPF50+ (my review here). The Heliocare tends to absorb some oils, which makes the combo especially great! It only works great here because the IOPE one doesn’t pill.
Scent
It has a fragrance that reminds me of citrus, but the good refreshing one. I understand a lot of you rather avoid fragrance; I don’t avoid fragrance but I dislike bad ones. The fragrance on this one I particularly like because it reminds me of a good spa (totally biased, I know). Also, you don’t smell it anymore soon after applying.
Stings the eye / general discomfort
No.
Checklist: IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP
It ticks almost all the important boxes for me, with the only flaw being I can’t really use this for sport or swimming.
Verdict: IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP SPF50+ PA++++ Sunscreen Review
I like IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector a lot, even though it’s not the perfect texture for me. It’s definitely most suited for dry skin in a dryer climate. It’s too tacky when it’s more humid. What I love most about it is that it helps me cope with my skin rash during the grass allergy season (and there are plenty of grass fields in Berlin & Brandenburg region).
I am repurchasing it already (a backup), at least something for me to use during this time of the year!
Have you tried this sunscreen? Is it on your wishlist? Let me know if you have more questions in the comments! Xoxo, Astrid
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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