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Product photo: skin1004.com (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 50ml.
Hyalu-Cica Water-fit Sun Serum
A watery SPF50+ PA++++ sun serum built on four modern UV filters, with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and centella, and no white cast.
Buyer verdictOne of the lightest, most wearable sunscreens you can buy, especially for oily and combination skin and under makeup. Dry skin will want a moisturiser underneath. Seoul is about a third cheaper than Amazon for the same 50ml tube.
- Key ingredient
- Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M and Uvasorb HEB, Niacinamide
- Texture
- Watery serum that disappears quickly, with a soft satin finish
- Routine step
- sunscreen · AM
- Korean pack
- 50ml
Overview
Key ingredients
- Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M and Uvasorb HEB Four modern UV filters covering UVB and UVA, with no white cast
- Niacinamide Tone support; part of why it's a registered brightening product in Korea
- Hyaluronic acid and centella extract Hydration and calming, in small amounts
- Adenosine Korea's recognised wrinkle-care ingredient
From the US, it's 33% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund. From the UK, it's 37% cheaper in Seoul.
What it is
SKIN1004’s Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum is the brand’s best-selling sunscreen and one of Olive Young’s top sun products. It comes in a 50ml tube and, as the name suggests, has a watery serum texture rather than a cream. It’s rated SPF50+ PA++++, the highest ratings used in Korea.
The Korean ingredient list shows four UV filters: diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (Uvinul A Plus), ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul T 150), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) and diethylhexyl butamido triazone (Uvasorb HEB). There’s niacinamide high on the list, then adenosine, centella extract and several forms of hyaluronic acid, plus a set of green plant extracts. There’s no fragrance.
Korea registers it as a functional cosmetic for sun protection, brightening and wrinkle care.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You have oily or combination skin and hate heavy, greasy sunscreens
- You wear makeup and want a sunscreen that doesn’t pill
- You want a sunscreen with no white cast on any skin tone
Skip it if
- Your skin is very dry and wants a richer, more moisturising sunscreen
- You prefer mineral-only (zinc or titanium) sunscreens
- You need a water-resistant sunscreen for swimming or sport; look for one labelled water-resistant
What the ingredients do
The four UV filters are the heart of the product. Uvinul A Plus is a strong UVA filter. Uvinul T 150 and Uvasorb HEB are efficient UVB filters. Tinosorb M covers both UVA and UVB. These newer filters are photostable and spread thinly, which is how Korean sunscreens get high protection with such a light feel.
Niacinamide helps even out tone over time and supports the barrier. Adenosine is the ingredient that lets the product carry a wrinkle-care claim in Korea. The hyaluronic acid and centella add a little hydration and calm. Dibutyl adipate and coco-caprylate/caprate, high on the list, are light emollients that dissolve the filters and give the serum its slip.
How to use it
Use it as the last step of your morning skincare. Apply a generous amount. Sunscreen is tested at about a quarter of a teaspoon for the face, and most people use far less. Two finger lengths is a good guide.
Let it settle for a minute before makeup. Reapply every two hours outdoors, after sweating heavily, and after towelling off. Remove it at night with an oil or balm cleanser, or a thorough single cleanse.
How it compares
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh is the closest rival, with a similarly light, oily-skin-friendly feel. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is a little dewier. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics is creamier and suits normal to dry skin better.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes. Olive Young sells the same 50ml tube that Amazon lists, and the Seoul sale price works out about a third cheaper than Amazon US, and a little more than that against Amazon UK.
One tube clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum on its own. Sunscreen is the product people use up fastest, so it’s worth buying two or three. A 50ml tube is fine in carry-on liquids.
FAQ
Is it a chemical or mineral sunscreen?
It uses organic (chemical) filters. Tinosorb M is sometimes called a hybrid because it works partly by scattering light, but there's no zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, so there's no white cast.
Is it fragrance-free?
Yes. No fragrance or essential oils are listed on the Korean label.
Is it good under makeup?
Yes. It's one of the lighter Korean sunscreens and rarely pills. Let it settle for a minute or two before foundation or cushion.
Are these filters approved in the US?
Not yet. Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M and Uvasorb HEB are approved in Korea, the EU and many other countries, but not by the US FDA. That's why many Americans buy Korean sunscreens abroad.
