This sunscreen supposed to brighten the skin while protecting it from the sun. But, is the texture better than the famous sister? Read on for Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel Review.
This review is for the 2020 version, also known as Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel A SPF50+. The replacement for this, Anessa Brightening UV Sunscreen Gel N SPF50+ has a pink tint that I am very skeptical with.
Disclaimer: as someone with a darker skin tone, I dislike like the term “whitening”, but I guess this is something that sells in the Asian market. What intrigues me to this sunscreen is the Gel formula (vs the Milk formula) and the active ingredients that’s actually supposed to prevent spots and freckles.
- More: Interested in preventing hyperpigmentation and tranexamic acid? Read on here!
The Product
The Brand Anessa
Japanese brands are well known for reformulating their products. Which is great, but sometimes confusing for consumers who didn’t really know how to differentiate the editions. Something you have to pay attention to is the packaging. If it looks different, even only slightly different, there’s a big chance that it’s from another edition.
Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel Description and Claims
Ingredients
Sunscreen Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Zinc Oxide (6.93%) | physical / inorganic | UVB, UVA II, and UVA I | good stability and good as a skin protectant and anti-irritant. Might leave whitish tint |
| Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate / Octinoxate / Octyl Methoxycinnamate (4.996%) | 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 (2%) | 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 (2%) | 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 |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 (1%) | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada |
Other Noticeable Ingredients
Brightening: Tranexamic Acid
Antioxidant: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract / Kyoto Green Tea Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Anti-inflammatory: Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate / Yellow Flower Extract
Alcohol is high on the ingredients list too, so watch out if you have sensitive skin.
For the full ingredients list, go to Incidecoder.
Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel Texture
This time around, I have a tiny 1/4 teaspoon measure spoon, which can fit into my small scale, so it’s easy to do it like this!
For Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel, the 0.04 oz is actually less than 1/4 teaspoon.
Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel Application
First, the Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel texture is very much gel-like, somewhat like the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence, but less smell of alcohol and actually absorbs quicker.
Second, you’ll see from the video that it’s super easy to apply. Surprisingly, despite having Zinc Oxide, it has no visible white cast on my skin (Fitzpatrick IV, medium dark skintone)!
Claim Check on Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel
The claim check is based on my experience only, and it might not be the ultimate truth for everyone.
Lasting Moisturization
I think so. I never really felt my skin is drying on the day I use this product.
Shine Control & Smooth Finish
No. I have to use my trusty Fenty Powder Foundation to achieve the no-shine, but compared to other sunscreen with this kind of texture, this is the lighter one for sure.
Anti Oxidant / Brightening / Protection from photo-aging
Unfortunately, it’s not a claim I can prove / disprove. The ingredients used are legit, but I have to use it continuously for a couple of weeks to see if it works. I just couldn’t do it with sunscreens (so many sunscreens I want to test with different use cases lol).
Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel Review
Face Routine
Light toner and serum.
Pilling
Sometimes. I think this never gets fully absorbed into my skin.
Feel on Skin
It’s like a moisturizer with a gel texture. My skin didn’t get very sticky with it, but still feels like something sitting on top (like if I use too much moisturizer).
Scent
Citrusy – floral, just like Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk. It’s quite strong at first, but subsides quickly.
Stings the Eyes / General Discomfort
None for me.
Comparison
The texture reminds me the most of the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence (review). It’s more gel-like than the IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector XP (review) but the IOPE absorbs better on my skin.
For me, this lacks the something special effect. That one thing it has that other sunscreen doesn’t. The Anessa Skincare Milk (review) still has the better texture for me, and as for the whitening effect, I can’t see the difference on my skin.
Checklist & Rating
This sunscreen doesn’t score very well here. It’s not something I can use for sports, although the alcohol feels less drying.
I’m surprised it actually scores that well and yet I don’t feel like repurchasing it. I guess for me this is a forgettable sunscreen. It performs ok, but there’s nothing I particularly love about it. It’s also quite pricey (at the time of writing, it’s about €30 at Stylevana. I got it for around €20 at Watson’s Indonesia.), but then, it’s a 90ml bottle, while most SPFs come in 50ml.
Verdict
(It’s currently discontinued but at the time of writing – May 2022 – you can still get it at some international sites like Stylevana).
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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