Heliocare 360 Water Gel Sunscreen is a sunscreen that promises quick absorption, skin hydration, and comfort during sun exposure. It is water resistant and does not irritate the eyes. SPF50+, broad spectrum, and full of antioxidants. Sounds like a perfect sunscreen indeed! Read on for the Heliocare 360 Water Gel Review.
My skin is medium dark tone, Fitzpatrick IV, extreme combination (prone to dry patches). I enjoy doing outdoor activities like running and hiking, although I don’t enjoy sunbathing per se. I prefer my sunscreen not sticky.
PS: I reviewed another sunscreen product from the same brand: Heliocare 360 Bronze Color Gel Oil-Free SPF 50.
The Product
Heliocare 360 Sunscreen Series
Heliocare 360 is a Spanish brand, part of Cantabria Labs. It is a pharmacy brand, available in Europe, but possibly not so easily in the US because of its sunscreen filters.
The lineup has good options depending on your skin type (dry, oily, normal), options for mineral sunscreen, sport ready sunscreen (featuring Rafael Nadal), and even some oral supplements. Their secret weapon is an ingredient called Fernblock, which is an antioxidant of natural plant.
Cantabria Labs mentions their sustainability policy on their website here.
Heliocare 360 Water Gel Description & Claims
An intensely hydrating, water-based gel that absorbs quickly into the skin with a barely there, matte finish – perfect for those who layer multiple skincare and make-up products in the morning. Its advanced hydration system helps to retain hydration while also providing skin with a barrier against pollution. Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive of skin and for use around sensitive eyes. The completely clear finish also makes it a great choice for those with skin of colour, and a popular choice for men.
Heliocare 360 Water Gel (UK Product Page)
Claims
- Hydrating
- Absorbs quickly with a barely there matte finish
- Perfect for layering multiple skincare and makeup products
- Suitable for all skin types
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- No white cast
Ingredients
Heliocare 360 Water Gel Sunscreen Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Octocrylene | chemical / organic | UVB & UVA II with peak at 304 nm | quite photostable (loses 10% protection in 95 mins), used to stabilize other filters (eg Avobenzone), often used to improve water resistance of products |
| Ethylhexyl Salicylate (Octisalate / Octyl Salicylate) | chemical / organic | UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm | not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize. |
| Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) | chemical / organic | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (Ensulizole) | chemical / organic | strong UVB protection (280-320nm) range with its peak protection at 306 nm | Not oil but water soluble, ideal to create light, oily skin compatible formula. Fairly photostable and can be used to protect other less stable UV filters (eg. avobenzone). Approved worldwide and can be used up to 4% in the US and up to 8% in the EU. |
| 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 |
| Tris-Biphenyl Triazine (Nano)(Tinosorb A2B) | chemical / organic | most efficient UVB and UVA2 filter | highly photostable and has high SPF performance at low concentrations, only available in the EU (as 2016) |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150) | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada |
Full Ingredients List
Aqua, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Silica, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine(Nano), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Physalis Angulata Extract, Plankton Extract, Melanin, Oxothiazolidine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Serine, Pullulan, Algin, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Phenylpropanol, C20-22 Alcohols, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Methicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Phosphate, Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Heliocare 360 Water Gel Application
I am getting my trusty scale again, and weighed how much of the Heliocare 360 Water Gel should I use. Please also note that on the Heliocare UK website it said to “Apply approximately a full finger length of product…”. You’ll see why this is difficult to do.
In the picture above, you can see the texture is liquid. Now I wonder how you’re supposed to do a “full finger length” application of this product if one cannot put it on a finger without dropping it everywhere?
Of course, I have my go-to quarter teaspoon! (Still doesn’t solve the full finger length issue, but it’s easier than the scale) For the liquid texture of Heliocare 360 Water Gel, I need to fill it up to the brim.
On My Face
Now, for the video of me applying the recommended amount of Heliocare 360 on my face… I apologize for the skewed look of the video on the blog, but when you clicked on it, it looks normal!
On the video, it looks like it has a slight white cast, but it is not really visible in real life. It also works well with makeup application on top. The texture feels moisturizing but not sticky at all. This is wonderful because usually the non sticky sunscreens feel drying on the skin!
After Some Hours
It makes my eyes water. It’s so annoying. I don’t know yet what makes it so. I’m not usually sensitive to sunscreens, so it is surprising that the one labeled “For use around sensitive eyes” is the one that makes my eyes water.
However, I can also tell you that my husband didn’t have this issue at all. So maybe it’s one of those products that works for some, and not for others.
On My Hand
In the picture below, I applied the Heliocare 360 Water Gel on my hand. Again, you can see the texture is runny, and it needs to sink into the skin properly before it became free of white cast.
In the picture below, you can see there is no difference between the hand with the sunscreen, and without. Not even a hint of an overly shine.
I can definitely say, texture wise, Heliocare 360 Water Gel is a very good sunscreen.
Claim Check on Heliocare 360 Water Gel
The claims aren’t necessarily the Heliocare 360 Water Gel review, but it’s knowing what you expect when buying a product, and whether it lives up to it.
Hydrating
Yes, it is. Heliocare 360 Water Gel keeps my skin comfortably hydrated throughout the day.
Absorbs quickly with a barely there matte finish
At a quarter teaspoon application, it doesn’t absorb quickly, but you need to massage it properly into the skin. If you aren’t careful with making sure it properly sinks in during application, it leaves white streaks that will pill later on.
I also wouldn’t say the finish is matte, the skin doesn’t look shine-less. But it is definitely not sticky.
Perfect for layering multiple skincare and makeup products
I am not sure about “multiple”. What I know, it works fine with Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum underneath, and a light moisturizer if your skin is on the drier side. I’m not sure if it will work with something like a ten-step skincare routine because I already have an issue with an application with more than 3 layers before.
It works well with a foundation, and it a big win for the non sticky finish!
Suitable for all skin types
Most likely, yes. It’s not too moisturizing and not too drying.
Suitable for sensitive eyes
This baffles me the most. My eyes aren’t usually sensitive to sunscreens, and yet this one makes my eyes water. Although, it doesn’t happen to my husband, so it might work for you too. Who knows!
No white cast
True.
Water Resistant
I couldn’t do a swim test, but I can at least say it holds up well with sweat. (I wore it a lot on my outdoor runs)
Heliocare 360 Water Gel Review
Face Routine
I wear this mostly for my runs because of the eyes issue. So I usually wear no other skincare underneath.
Piling
Mostly not
Feel on Skin
Lightweight, not sticky, not drying. It’s a very comfortable finish.
Scent
Heavy citrus, prominent smell of sunscreen.
Stings the Eyes / General Discomfort
Stings my eyes, but it might not applicable for all.
Checklist: Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50
It ticks almost all the boxes, but I must warn you that this is super fragranced!
It has such a great score, but why won’t I repurchase? Because it makes my eyes water. It still works well when I use it for a shorter period, so I can still wear it for short outdoor sports activity.
Verdict: Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50 Sunscreen Review
Sadly for me I have to give Heliocare 360 Water Gel the Meh rating.
Heliocare 360 Water Gel is an amazing sunscreen with one minus point and one big downfall:
- The minus point: the perfume is very prominent. It’s not something you can dismiss, nor it will pass quickly. If you didn’t like the smell, then you will not like this product.
- The downfall: It’s difficult to deal with sunscreens that could make my eyes water, no matter how great it is.
Because of these two reasons, I would recommend finding a tester before buying it.
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.
Hi Astrid! First of all thank you for your review.
I tried the product and I’m not very happy with it, it’s exactly as you described it.
I have the same problem , my eyes are blinking and watering.
I didn’t read the ingredients before and only then I did notice that it contains octocrylene, a substance that should be banned
I’ll never buy it again, so I do not recommend this product.