I believe that summer is everyone's favourite part of the year, but if you're interested in skincare, there's another reason to celebrate. It's a time full of new sunscreens. iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen is a new sunscreen from Korean Brand iUnik. What's so unique about it? Texture and formula might be a new competitor on a market for the title of "best sunscreen of 2022".
Prepare for many sunscreen reviews coming this August. I'm probably the worst if it comes to sunscreen reviews since they were supposed to show up earlier, but I prefer to release them a bit later but do it the right, proper way - test them every way possible. iUnik is probably one of the most interesting sunscreens on the market since it's a new product, but it's already a hidden gem!
About the brand
iUnik is a Korean skincare brand. The name sounds like "I unique", but every letter of the iUnik name has a meaning. "I" like ideal, "u" like "unique", "n" like naturalism, another "i" for ingredients and last but not least, "k" means know-how. The brand wanted to create an affordable, but powerful skincare line.
iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen - Packaging
iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen comes in an elegant paper box. I was expecting to see more sustainability in the packaging, but I guess the brand focuses more on the formula. The design fits iUnik's like. Inside you can find a 60ml tube of sunscreen. The PAO date is 12 months, but I recommend removing sunscreens from your shelf after 6 months. iUnik added an authenticity sticker - you can check it with HiddenTag App.
iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen - Scent & Texture
The texture is wonderful! I was scared that this sunscreen might leave some white cast, but it doesn't! Even if it looks like white milk. Sunscreens have their typical, powdery scent. This one isn't different, but it doesn't have any artificial scents. For many people, this sunscreen will have no scent at all.
iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen - Ingredients
Centella Asiatica Extract (49%), Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Alcohol, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glucose, t-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract (49%) is probably the most popular extract in skincare. It comes under a few names - Asiatic pennywort, tiger grass or Gotu kola. Centella Asiatica's roots are in Ayurveda. This extract is successful because it's a source of triterpene saponins - madecassoside and asiaticoside. Centella Asiatica Extract has anti-inflammatory properties. It speeds up the wound healing process. You can use it to treat acne since it has soothing and antibacterial properties. It boosts fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin or even helps with hyaluronic acid synthesis. Centella is recommended for rosacea and cellulitis since it helps with blood microcirculation. In hair care, Centella can help with hair growth. Water hides in a cosmetic product under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. Dibutyl Adipate is an oily emollient. This oil-soluble ingredient dissolves in oils. It creates a hydrating film on the surface of the skin to prevent skin from dehydration. You can meet it in sunscreens as a solvent. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate or Uvinul A Plus is a sun-protecting agent. It covers the UVA range (320-400 nm), and its peak of protection is 354 nm. Ethylhexyl Triazone or Uvinul T 150 is a sun-protecting agent. It covers the UVB range (280-320nm). Its peak is at 314 nm. Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Its origin can be natural or synthetic - depending on the product. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs - natural moisturizing factors. It's practical in haircare. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it just the opposite - it protects your skin from irritation. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne, skin texture, and enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try to mix niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol. Polymethyl Methacrylate creates a film to make skin appear flawless without wrinkles or uneven texture. This effect won't stay forever, and that's why we use it in products like foundation or primers. Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol sounds a bit like a magic spell. You might know it as a Tinosorb M - a new generation of sun-protecting agents. Tinosorb M is a broad-spectrum filter since it covers UVA and UVB wavelengths (280-400nm). It's a so-called hybrid sunscreen agent because it's between mineral and chemical sunscreen agents. It might leave some white cast.
Alcohol is an immense topic in skincare. Alcohol can be good or bad for your skin, but sometimes the amount makes a poison. Alcohol, after all, is a prominent solvent. It makes active substances penetrate the skin deeper. This effect has its cost - the skin is getting a bit irritated. Some substances can be dissolved only in alcohol. This ingredient has antibacterial properties. It works as a preservative by preventing microorganisms from growing in the product. It has some awful sides too - it can dry your skin, mainly if we use it in large amounts. Sensitive skin is not a fan of this ingredient. Polysilicone-15 might sound like a normal ingredient, but the other name of this ingredient is Parsol SLX. You're right! It's a sun-protecting ingredient. It protects your skin from UVB radiation (290-320 nm) and its peak is around 310 nm. It makes a great pair with Avobenzone. It's quite common in hair care products. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide. It can come from yeast, seaweeds or fungi. It's one of the best humectants with soothing properties. It might help with reducing wrinkle visibility on the epidermis. Some sources say it might be an antioxidant. It's good to mix it with niacinamide and retinoids or use it after skincare treatments to heal the skin quicker. Beta-glucan leaves a film on the skin to prevent TEWL and lock the moisture inside the skin. Allantoin is an ingredient that naturally occurs in our bodies, but brands usually go for the synthetic form of this substance. It comes from comfrey or soybean roots. It's a humectant with soothing and wound-healing properties. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. Pentylene Glycol is mostly a solvent and stabilizer, but it has great moisturizing properties. Arachidyl Alcohol is an oily emollient, it leaves a film on the skin. Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier. Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is an emulsifier, suitable for vegans.
Sorbitan Sesquioleate is a water-in-oil emulsifier. Behenyl Alcohol might sound scary, but it's fatty alcohol. This type of alcohol is positive for the skin since it works as an emollient. It helps with the texture of the product. Decyl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant that works as an emulsifier and thickener. Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant. It leaves a moisturizing film on the surface of the skin. Arachidyl Glucoside is a mild surfactant and emulsifier. It's a mix of arachidic alcohol and glucose. Hydroxyacetophenone is an antioxidant that is supposed to help preservatives in the formula. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer and quite a large molecule. It works as a thickener and emulsion stabiliser. Carbomer is a synthetic thickener. Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a thickener, it helps create elegant, non-sticky formulas. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the adenosine's roles in our bodies is being a neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is a soothing and antibacterial ingredient. For many people, it's the only acceptable form of Licorice. This ingredient has many positive meanings for the skin - it has moisturizing properties, and it can even lighten the dark spot. Even sensitive skin should enjoy it. Glucose is a monosaccharide - a simple sugar, and we all know that sugars in skincare are nothing else than humectants. t-Butyl Alcohol is a solvent with a scent similar to camphor. It's common in perfumes. Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide that works as a thickener. Tromethamine is a synthetic pH adjuster. Disodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products fresh.
How does iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen work?
It's been a while since I used iUnik products, even if I'm aware that iUnik is super popular in the skincare community. It has a reason - iUnik is affordable even for teens. The tea tree line works without damaging the skin barrier. It's quite common that teenagers are using the strongest products possible for acne or use lots of products with alcohol since they are more affordable or promoted in media. This trend is changing lately - thanks to social media. Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen is the newest iUnik product and another step in the tea tree line.
I have had some problems with sensitive skin lately, but I have to admit I wasn't scared to try the new iUnik sunscreen. I asked people on Instagram for moisturizer recommendations, and Centella gel was one of the most recommended products by Instagram users.
The first thing I noticed was the tube. I'm used to that lately all sunscreens have 30-50ml or grams, but Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen has 60ml. Awesome thing if you enjoy sunscreen (just like I do). I'm pale so I have problems testing sunscreens since on my skin even a delicate pigment looks transparent, but I got some tan on my ankles and I tested this sunscreen there to see if it leaves a white cast.
iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen is a lightweight sunscreen with velvet, soft finishing. It leaves a delicate moisturizing layer on the skin. The formula contains 49% Centella Extract and 1,000 ppm of Beta-Glucan to calm and moisturize your skin. You can feel the gentleness of the formula on your skin. It's a really comfortable texture, it's something like an essence/milk type of sunscreen. I need to clarify this a bit - the essence is not always a liquid essence we think about but something between liquid and cream texture. I actually feel like many of my foundations look better on iUnik sunscreen than on other sunscreens. I believe this is possible thanks to the moisturizing properties of Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen. But that's not all, according to iUnik, thanks to adenosine and niacinamide, iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen has brightening properties. Yes, both these ingredients are brightening and using sunscreen can help you brighten your skin - even just by protecting skin from UVB and UVA radiation.
iUnik doesn't leave a white cast, it only leaves a delicate moisturizing film. It's not a sticky formula, and it doesn't take long to fully soak into your skin so you can apply makeup right after the application of sunscreen. I have to admit, I applied it in a few places like my hands, face, neck, leg and ankle and after 5 minutes I forgot where I applied it - it's so lightweight. The positive thing about it is that this sunscreen doesn't pill, and has no artificial scent and colour. Even sensitive skin like mine enjoys it - you don't have to be scared of alcohol in this solution. According to iUnik, Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen is safe for the entire family. It's definitely one of my top 3 sunscreens for 2022.
Where I can buy iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen and how much does it cost?
60ml of iUnik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen costs 15.99$ on iUnik's website. It's a nice price for sunscreen.
Overall, I'm glad that I was able to test this sunscreen because it's one of the best sunscreens I tried lately. Let me know what sunscreen you use.
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