O HUI Sun Science Perfect Sunblock Red EX
10:09 PMHello~
It is so hot here at the moment so what's better than a sunscreen blog post? :D
Sunscreen, dear Sunscreen, I love you so much because you protect exposed skin against sunburn, skin cancer and even photoaging!
A few months ago, I reviewed another sunscreen I absolutely loved (Radical Skincare - Skin Perfecting Screen SPF 30) but considering it's quite expensive, I've decided to look for an alternative.
O HUI is a luxury Korean brand that belongs to LG Household & Healthcare. The brand focusses on technology and science. Their sunscreen line is very famous with many different products. Amony all the different options they propose in terms of sun protection, they have a sunscreen perfect for sensitive skin, i.e. O HUI Sun Science Perfect Sunblock Red EX SPF50+ PA+++.
WHAT IT IS:
WHAT IT IS:WHAT IT IS: T
WHAT IT IS
O HUI Sun Science Perfect Sunblock Red EX is a mainly mineral (or physical) sunscreen (see ingredient list and explanation below). Mineral sunscreens are great because they provide great broad-spectrum protection, targetting both UVA and UVB.
I will not go into details but UV filters can be divided into chemical absorber and physical blockers on the basis of their mechanism of action. Chemical sunscreens are generally aromatic compounds conjugated with a carbonyl group. These chemicals absorb high-intensity UV rays. You have to put this type of sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure. There are controversies about some of them but as they are not used in O Hui Red I will not go into details. Physical blockers (non chemical sunscreens, such as TiO2 and ZnO) reflect or scatter UV radiations. You don't have to put this type of sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure as for the chemical sunscreens.
CLAIMS
- mild and smooth sunblock
- suited for sensitive skin
- improves skin tone
- UV protection for daily use and outdoor activities (SPF50+ PA+++)
- contains Provitamin B5 and vanilla extract to prevent skin from getting red (i.e, your skin will not get red if you're exposed to the sun hence the name of the product Perfect Sunblock Red EX)
HOW IT LOOKS/FEELS/SMELLS
When you squeeze it out of the tube, it is slightly green tinted but when you spread it, it gets white. It's a mostly mineral/physical sunscreen, so yes you can't avoid the white cast. However, when you spread it well on your face, I don't think it's dramatic and to be honest I can deal with it. If you put foundation on top, there is no problem. There is also a nice video from Paula's choice that explain how to thwart the white cast of mineral sunscreen HERE.
When you apply it, it forms an uniform continuous film and is quite easy to work with.
The cream is actually quite rich and maybe if you have oily skin it will make you oiler. So I would say it's best suited for combination, normal and dry skin. As a side note, I have combination skin and can't stand heavy creams but this one is more on the rich side rather than heavy, if it makes sense.
I've been using it everyday on my whole face since March.
I've been using it everyday on my whole face since March.
The bottle contains 60mL, which is a pretty decent size for a sunscreen you use on your face.
INGREDIENT LIST
Cyclopentasiloxane (emollient), Water, Zinc Oxide (sunscreen), Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Titanium Dioxide (sunscreen), PEG-10 Dimethicone (surfactant), Hexyldecylethylhexanoate (emollient, surfactant), Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (sunscreen), Cetylethylhexanoate (emollient, surfactant), Triethanolamine (pH balancer), Dipropylene Glycol (solvant), Glycerin (humectant), Hexyl Laurate (emollient), Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Disteardimonium Hectorite (suspending agent), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (emollient), Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer (thickener), Methicone (emollient), Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), Chicory Root Extract (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial), Zinc Stearate (thinckener, surfactant), Isostearic Acid (thinckener, surfactant), Alanyl Glutamine (amino acid), Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate (surfactant), Spiraea Ulmaria Extract (anti-irritant), VP/Eicosene Copolymer (film-forming agent), Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer (film-forming agent), Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate (skin conditioning agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E acetate, antioxidant/lightening), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (licorice derivative, anti-irritant), Distearyldimonium Chloride (surfactant), Dimethicone (emollient), Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract (antioxidant, antibacterial), Ethylparaben (preservative), Nylon-12 (thickener), Alumina (thickener), Talc (absorbent), Mica, Chromium Oxide Green, Fragrance, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalol, Hydroxyisohexyl 2-cylcohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional.
I reported the ingredients from Hwahae app (and it's consistent with what is written in Korean on the box) and added in brackets the role of each ingredients. When I didn't know the ingredient I either looked it up in "Paula's choice's expert advice" and/or "google scholar"-ed it.
Hwahae reports 4 problematic ingredients (PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Ethylparaben, and Fragrance) and some allergy risk with ingredients like geraniol, linalol, basically the end of the list (the least concentrated ones). Note that Paula's choice reports PEG-10 Dimethicone as a "good" agent. It's a very commonly used water-in-oil silicone surfactant and it seems safe (couldn't find any article that said it's not safe or bad). Same for Triethanolamine that is "good" for Paula's choice.
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid is a sunscreen that protects mainly from UVB. I thought there were only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as sun protecting agents in this preparation so I was quite surprised to see Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid in there. Moreover both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are pretty high in the ingredient list and they protect from UVA and UVB so I'm not sure why they added phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid.
I did some research about this acid because I want to avoid chemical sunscreens that are still controversial and when I'm not sure about something, I don't want to take any risk. There is an opinion (COLIPA S45) on this compound that was published in 2006 (link HERE).
I did some research about this acid because I want to avoid chemical sunscreens that are still controversial and when I'm not sure about something, I don't want to take any risk. There is an opinion (COLIPA S45) on this compound that was published in 2006 (link HERE).
In summary: for acute dermal toxicity, no abnormality was observed in rats. No percutaneous absorption was observed in humans, i.e. it's not absorbed by the skin into blood. No sub-chronic (90 days) toxicity was observed in rats. No mutagenicity was found in in vitro chromosome aberration test. Evidence for the absence of an oestrogenic potential was demonstrated. So this compound seems pretty safe and I'm not worried about using it.
Panthenol is a Vitamin B5 derivative. It is a humectant, emollient, and moisturizer. It works to improve skin's barrier function and maintain the proliferation of fibroblasts, cells that create collagen. It reduces skin inflammation and accelerates epidermal wounds' rate of healing.
The vanilla plant is a source of catechins (polyphenols)
which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Interestingly, VP/Eicosene Copolymer is a film-forming agent often used in water-resistant sunscreen products. It helps the sunscreen adhere better to skin and resist breaking down in water.
THOUGHTS:
As
THOUGHTS
O HUI Sun Science Perfect Sunblock Red EX is a great sunscreen with mainly mineral sun protecting agents, there is only a small percentage of phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid but it's considered totally safe. So I'm not worried about it at all. Moreover there are anti-inflammatory ingredients and panthenol, a very nice ingredient in cosmetics. That's why I really like the ingredient lists of this product.
Considering the texture, I guess it works great for combo to dry skin. It's easy to spread and it didn't break me out. So yep, I'm happy with it and would gladly repurchase it.
PS: I think they've just changed the packaging of this product, not sure if the ingredient list changed...Does someone know?
EDIT: I confirm that the packaging has changed and the sunscreens have been reformulated. For your information, O Hui has 4 sunscreen in cream formula (the Red, Black, Green and Blue).
The new "Perfect Sun Red" is totally different from the Sun Science Perfect Sunblock Red EX that I reviewed here. It contains ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, and titanium dioxide as sunscreen agents. But what is weird is that the new "Perfect Sun Black" contains the same main ingredients (same sunscreen agents, also panthenol and vanilla extract) as the Perfect Sunblock Red EX. The difference between the two is that the Perfect Sunblock Red EX has a green tint while the Perfect Sun Black is slightly beige tinted.
If something is not clear for you, ask me a question and I'll try to help if I can!
Purchase info
- Testerkorea: here
- KoreaDepart: here
- W2Beauty: One of my favorite Korean cosmetics store but it's currently not in stock. .You can shop other O HUI products here.You can also get $5 if you use my coupon code: 193008208 when you register.
WHAT IT IS:
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WHAT IT IS:
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WHAT IT IS:
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7 comments
Hi Karine, thank you so much for the most helpful review! Is there any chance to ask you if you can get us the full ingredient list for the new Ohui perfect sun red formulation? Also - it seems there is another version - a Perfect Sun Pro Red. I cannot google any of those review and no info in the OHUI official site too concerning the ingredients. I've got a package of samples and would love to use them, but my skin is super reactive so I'm a bit afraid to take a leap of faith without knowing the ingredient list. If there is a change to lend a hand I will be extremely grateful!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, sorry for my late reply. I've fond the whole ingredient list of the new Red on Hwahaem the Perfect Sun Pro Red (SPF50+/PA++++) (= the new Red suncreen):
DeleteWater, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, diproylene glycol, isodecane, zince oxide, sorbitan olivate, ethylhexyl salicylate; octisalate, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexy benzoate, dicaprylyl carobate, glycerin, titanium dioxide, isohexadecane, cyclopentasiloxane, disteardimonium hectorite, panthenol, nutmeg extract, phenethyl benzoate, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, moringa oleifera seed oïl, chrysin, punica granatum fruit extract, dimethicone, aluminium hydroxide, stearic acid, triethoxycaprylylsilane, glyceryl caprylate, PEG-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, talc, nylon-12, chromium oxide greens, mica, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, ethylhexylglycerin, isodecyl neopentanoate, magnesium sulfate, adenosine, fragrance.
The "old" sunscreens of the brand all have "EX" in their name and the packaging is similar to the one I have here. The "new" sunscreens of the brand have a slightly different packaging. I hope this helps, let me know.
I've found* the whole ingredient list of the new Red on Hwahae*
DeleteHi Karine, thank you so much for this update! I tried to use the Hwahae* app by the way, but either I'm silly or it has no English version. Or has it? Anyways, thank you so very, very much, you totally saved me :)
DeleteHi Kate, you're right, there is no English version unfortunately (at least to my understanding).
DeleteOh I've just checked the Ohui Korean website and if you go through Product, Line, Perfect Sun, you will find the Red sunscreen for example. Click on it and at the top of the page, on the right, there is a "성분보기" written. If you click on it, it displays the ingredient list. You can copy, past it in Google translator for example. Not perfect but it can still be useful.
oh, this IS a very helpful info about Ohui site! Thank you so much - I seriously had not a slightest idea the actual ingredient list is hiding like this. Thank you a lot - on cosDNA there are a few of the Ohui products listed, but surely not all of them, which sucks. Thank you once again for the best tip about the site, Karine!
DeleteHi Karine, thank you for the effort in writing this post. It’s very helpful and informative. I’ve tried black out from a sample satchet and when I top up with Laura Mercier loose powder, it’s not oily and lasts several hours. I stay near the equator that’s hot and humid haha. My t-zone is oily.
ReplyDelete