[HEALAVIE] - Soft Cover Waterdrop Sun Gel

I must admit, I really don't like using sunscreen. I am lazy, and the usage of sunscreen requires a double, sometimes triple, cleanse. If I am not careful in removing everything, I end up with large painful breakouts all over my face. It is just a pain in the ass for me and not worth the trouble. But as I learn more about skincare, I have been educated over and over again about how important sun protection is. So I have set out to find a lightweight sunscreen that doesn't leave a whitecast (Seriously, I am pale enough as it is, I don't need to look like a ghost!).

So far I have tried the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence (2015) and Benton Papaya-D Sun Cream. I liked the Biore but I felt like it doesn't provide enough protection. Whereas I felt the Benton provided enough protection but made me into a greaseball (You can read a more in-depth review on Benton here). I also have purchased the Make:Prem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel based on the recommendation from Chloe (@Ptitelady). So when she was telling me about the Healavie Soft Cover Waterdrop Sun Gel and how would be at Skinvestment's Beauty Date x MTL event last November. I was more than excited to give it a try!

If you read my Urang True Rose Repair Essence post, you will know that Skinvestment is started by Chloe and her partner. The aim is to introduce everyone to different brands and to invest in their skin. The first event held by Skinvestment was the Beauty Date x MTL event back in November. Healavie was one of the sponsors to the event and generously provided both the cleansing gel and the sun gel. I had more than enough cleansing oil in my arsenal so I opted for the sun gel. Especially when I am always looking for a lightweight sunscreen and Chloe had me intrigued.

I have used it for a few months now and is ready to post my review on it. Let me preface this review with the usual disclaimer that even though I received this for free, all opinions posted are mine.

First, let's discuss the packaging.

I ABSOLUTELY love the box it comes in. The lavender embossed box with shiny purple lettering is just so elegant to me. It makes me intrigued as in what is in the package and buy it just for the box. The actual product itself is less exciting (sorry but not really). The sun gel comes in a light purple tube with shiny purple lid and shiny lettering. It is minimalist, but I was expecting something similar to the box design, though I do understand it could be difficult to transcribe that design onto plastic. I just found it a tad jarring to have a such simple tube to come out of such a pretty box. But I digress, let's move onto the product and its function.

Now, the box and tube indicate that this is SPF 50+, PA +++ (read the Klog on what these means) and it is 35ml/1.18 fl. oz., which is quite light, considering the Biore Watery Essence is at 50g. Aside from that, only the ingredients list is in English. That doesn't really tell me much about what the sunscreen is supposed to do (yes, I know, sunscreen, protect your skin from the sun. But it doesn't tell me what kind of claims it is making at the back of the box). -___-. Anyways, good thing Cali-J recently started to carry the sunscreen and posted translations of what the product is claiming to do.

The translation explains that the sun gel is a light moisturizing sunscreen that leaves the skin moisturized and protected from sun damage. It also explains that the sun gel's name comes from the design of the product. The soft cover refers to the sun gel's ability to provide a natural toned-up effect. The waterdrop refers to the ingredients that makes up the sun gel, allowing it to have a spreadable texture, similar to water. As well as providing moisture to the skin.

The translation also makes 4 claims.
1) Moisturizing and have water-drop texture
2) Anti-pollution
3) Superior UV protection
4) Natural tone-up

I'll be reviewing the sun gel based on the four claims.

But first, let's talk ingredients.

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol, Methypropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol, Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Caprylyl Methicone, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isonoyl Isononanoate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Lauryl Methacrylate, Glycol Dimethacrylate Cross Polymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium, Acryloyldimethyltaurate, VP Copolymer, Allantoin, Sorbitan, Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Argania Pinos Kernal Oil, Farnesol, Farnesyl Acetate, Helianthis Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenyl Triacetate, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isohexandecane, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Fragrance. 

CosDNA

First of all, I see Titanium dioxide, which a physical filter that reflects UV light. Meaning, it will leave a whitecast. But seeing it's the 10th ingredient,it may not create as much whitecast as sunscreens that have Titanium dioxide/Zinc oxide higher on their ingredients list. That's really the only ingredient I can recognize right off the bat, besides the extracts and oils. 😅😅 Please look at the CosDNA link that analyzes the ingredients.

Let's move on to the product and its performance.

It is called a sun gel, so I was expecting a gel like consistency. But no, it is more like a cream, but on the watery side. May that's why it's called a sun gel instead of a sun cream or sunscreen. The sun gel has a generic floral cosmetic scent to it, which I found to be a tad sharp. But once it's on my skin, I actually don't smell it at all. This is good, as the scent lingered when I tested it on the back of my hand.

Now, Healavie made four claims regarding the sun gel, so I will base my review on those claims.

1) Moisturizing and have water-drop texture
I think it definitely hit this claim. It is moisturizing, but don't expect it to replace your moisturizer. I found that it made my skin feel and look moist, but it's not enough when using it on its own. I think the Benton Papaya-D suncream would be the one I would use to replace my moisturizer in a pinch. But seriously, who uses their sunscreen as a moisturizer anyways?

 As for the water-drop texture, I would say yes, it definitely offers that. I don't notice it when I put the sunscreen on. But when swatching it on the back of my hand, I can clearly see the water-drop forming as I am spreading it. It's quite neat to look at. 😁 It is also probably why the sun gel is on the watery side.

2) Anti-pollution
I am not sure about this claim. Just there isn't much pollution over here in Canada. Not saying there aren't, but there just isn't as much as other places around the world. So it's hard for me to say if it does protect the skin from pollutants and dust. Though it would be a fair claim as it is creating a layer to protect your skin from UV rays, and potentially the finer particles floating in the air.

3) Superior UV protection

The sunscreen rating of SPF50+, PA+++ is pretty decent for sunscreens. I think it provides sufficient protection for me in AB in the winter. I haven't noticed my skin getting darker so far. But I can't say how it will stand up against our summer sun (what little we get each year). I will probably update this once summer hits, as that's when it will become most noticeable. 

4) Natural tone-up

The sun gel does provide a natural tone-up to the skin. I noticed that the skin with the sun gel looks a little brighter and more even toned. I can definitely tell where I applied and where I didn't. So this may be a good option as a sunscreen/primer. 

When wearing it on the face, I found that it provides my skin that it evens out my skin tone and gives me a natural glow. I also tried it on my friend who is darker than me. Upon initial application, the sun gel was quite noticeable as it was a few shades lighter than her skin. But as it sunk in, it just left her skin looking moist and with no white cast. (The more I stare at the picture above, the more I am not sure. 😟 In person it looked like the left side of her hand was moisturized. But in the picture, it looks like it is potentially leaving a white cast. Always swatch and use your own judgement is my best advice.)

Overall, I think the four claims made about the Healavie Soft Cover Waterdrop Sun Gel are reasonable. 

Lastly, let's talk price point. 

The sunscreen is currently only available via Cali-J for North America. It cost US$20 for 35ml, which works out to be US$0.57/ml. Which is tad expensive for such a small tube of sunscreen. Add to that, there is shipping cost (US$20) and exchange rates (I used C$0.77/US$1), it works out to be around C$1.48/ml. 😡 That's A LOT! 

In conclusion, I want to say, I really like this sunscreen. It is lightweight, moisturizing and I found myself always reaching for it when I have to go outside during the day. And it hasn't broken me out, even when I only use a cleansing water to remove it! I am quite impressed by that alone!

But the downside is the price point. It is quite expensive for a small tube, and it is only sold via one shop in North America. The shipping cost and exchange rate make it too expensive for my taste. If there is a Canadian retailer, *cough* Daint, please get on that *cough* then I would probably purchase it again. Until that happens, I will savour this sunscreen until the summer so I can report back about how it stands against the strong Cowtown sun!