2024 is rich in new sunscreen formulas, but have you ever heard about Sunquid? We will talk a bit about this new sunscreen trend from LG Household & HealthCare by testing CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunquid - probably the first sunquid available for the international community through Olive Young.
When I usually tell people that LG has its beauty brands, people are surprised. In Europe, LG is mostly known for washing machines, fridges and TVs, people above 20 might also remember LG phones since the majority of us at some point had LG phones. I was a bit surprised lately to see LG Styler in Europe, I'm not even telling you how many of my friends had to hear about this device, because I saw it a few years ago in one Kdrama (it was probably Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter) and since then I keep talking about it because I love the idea. LG Styler is a shocker, but there are more shocking things like information that Samsung sold dried fish and now they sell electronics
You probably know O Hui, The History Of Whoo, Belif, The Face Shop or Isa Knox. These brands belong to LG, just like CNP.
About CNP
The CNP story started in the year 2000. The brand started by manufacturing and selling functional cosmetics. CNP is focused on research, formulas are developed at the CNP R&D Center. You probably know this brand from Propolis Ampoule.
What's UV?
UV stands for Ultraviolet, it's nothing else than the selected range of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. UV rays are not visible to humans, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist. Each type of UV - UVA, UVB and UVC has different wavelengths and different properties.
UVA, UVB and UVC - what does each of them do and where you can meet them?
I'm sure you know about UVA and UVB, but UVC or the difference between UVA2 and UVA1? Let's start from the shortest wavelengths - UVC (100nm - 280nm) exist in space and is absorbed by the ozone layer, it can kill bacteria that's why on Earth you can find it in germicidal lamps - you might ask me, but these lamps are usually visible to a human - it's because they are made in a way that makes them safe for you and other people - you shouldn't enter the room when the UV lamp is on and make people aware that the lamp is on we add other substances so the lamp has a blue/purple colour when it's on. This technology is used for example at labs and hospitals. We all remember UVB (280nm –315nm) because it is said that B in UVB stands for BURN. Indeed, this UV length is responsible for sunburns, but it also helps with the synthesis of Vitamin D - a vitamin which we all need because lack of it can lead to osteoporosis. UVB is focused on the epidermis aka the outer layer of the skin while UVA (315nm –400nm) can penetrate through the epidermis and dermis so it penetrates your skin deeper. A in its name stands for Aging. The bad news is that UVA can penetrate glass, and both UVA and UVB cause lots of damage including skin cancer and oxidative stress.
Should I wear sunscreen at home?
We already know that UVA penetrates through the glass so do we need to use sunscreen at home? Yes, especially if you spend lots of time working near the window then it's better to put on a layer of sunscreen in the morning and have any type of protection at home as well. But you can also use window films to reduce the risk. The choice is left to you, what I do is keep my blinds on the window during the entire morning and when the sun is not that intense because my windows are situated on the Eastern side the light usually starts to fade afternoon - usually by afternoon I already have sunscreen on, few times reapplied.
What's the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
It depends on which side we look at this topic. Mineral sunscreens are sunscreens that don't contain any carbon atoms - this automatically makes them inorganic sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens contain carbon atoms, which makes them organic substances. The main difference is that mineral sunscreen usually leaves a white cast, and it's better if we use both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for a broad spectrum of UV protection. Chemical sunscreens don't leave a white cast, and they have more sophisticated formulas. Both are amazing, in some cases, PIH (hyperpigmentation), mineral sunscreens, and natural pigments can make a good layer of protection from UV rays.
Sunscreen reapplication
The majority of brands recommend reapplying sunscreen every 2-3 hours. The reason behind this is simple - we are active, we are sweating, we wear clothes or we touch our faces. All these things can remove a layer of sunscreen from the skin. We react differently to the same amount of UV radiation - my skin might react badly to 5 minutes of sun without protection, and my skin might need 10 more minutes. That's why on average we say that reapplying sunscreen every 2-3 hours is the best.
What's Sunquid?
Sunquid is a combination of the words sunscreen and liquid. It's a liquid sunscreen with a very light formula. It's supposed to have a soothing and moisturizing effect on the skin. It leaves delicate, non-sticky later that is so light that you can't feel it on the skin. This formula is patented by LG H&H, which is why the only sunquids you can see online come from brands like Beyond, The Whoo, Belif, The Face Shop, O HUI and CNP.
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen - Protection
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen provides UVB protection 50+ and UVA protection PA++++ (sadly we don't know if PA = 16 or more).
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen - Packaging
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen comes in paper packaging which I no longer own because I'm saving my space. The plastic bottle is tiny, it contains an applicator that's easy to use and it doesn't spill too much of the formula. You can easily apply it straight onto the face. There's a note on the back saying that you're supposed to wait 15 minutes before going out after using it.
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen - Scent & Texture
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen has a milk-like white texture. It's lightweight and it doesn't leave a sticky layer or white film on the skin, but it takes a few minutes to fit the skin perfectly. It works well with makeup. This sunscreen does contain alcohol, but it doesn't smell like alcohol. It has a scent that reminds me of flowers. When I wear it on my face I can't smell it. The finishing of this sunscreen is bit satin-like.
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunquid - Ingredients
Water, Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Dimethicone, Phospholipids, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Trehalose, t-Butyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Glacier Water, Tocopherol, Sodium PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arginine, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water hides in cosmetic products 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. Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate or Amiloxate is a sun-protecting agent. It protects skin from UVB radiation (290-320nm) and UVA radiation (320-340nm), but its peak of protection is around 310 nm. Alcohol Denat 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. Ethylhexyl Salicylate or Octisalate is a sun-protecting agent. It's a chemical sunscreen that protects the skin from UVB radiation (280-320nm), but it has its peak at 306nm which makes it a weak sunscreen. 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 hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it just the opposite - it protects your skin from irritation. Propanediol is also known as natural glycol - an alternative to propylene glycol. Propanediol is a solvent with additional moisturizing properties. It makes the product smooth to the touch. It can even improve the effectiveness of active ingredients. Tromethamine is a synthetic pH adjuster. Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid is a sun-protecting ingredient. It protects skin from UVB radiation (280-320nm), but its peak of protection is around 306 nm. Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid is a long name, that's why you probably know this ingredient as Mexoryl SX or ecamsule. Mexoryl SX was patented in 1982 by L'oreal so when we talk about other brands we stick to the name Ecamsule. This sunscreen protects your skin from UVA radiation (315–400 nm) and it has its peak at 345nm. It's a chemical sunscreen with high stability. 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.
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. Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate is a surfactant, but it also helps with viscosity of the product. Dimethicone is a silicone and polymer. Phospholipids are a type of lipids. They naturally occur in the human body and they work as strong emollients. They are commonly used in skincare to create liposomes. They make the skin barrier stronger. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. In the beauty industry, it's an emollient. Many people associate alcohol with something awful for the epidermis, but not every alcohol is nasty. Cetearyl alcohol leaves a moisturizing film on the skin to prevent your skin from transepidermal water loss (TEWL). We use Cetearyl alcohol to create an emulsion. Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It absorbs sebum, creates a film on the surface of the skin and makes the texture more elegant. It reflects light and makes wrinkles less visible. Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a synthetic polymer. It makes emulsions more stable. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer and quite a large molecule. It works as a thickener and emulsion stabiliser. Polysilicone-11 is a silicone elastomer. It absorbs sebum and creates a delicate film on the skin. Although we can't feel it on the skin, it makes wrinkles less visible visually. Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide that works as a thickener. 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. Trisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions to make your product stay fresh a bit longer. Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient loved by everyone! Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin. It's a glycosaminoglycan or GAG. What does that mean? It's a long polysaccharide - nothing else than sugar, and we all know what sugars do in the skin. It's not different from Hyaluronic Acid - it acts like a humectant. One HA molecule is supposed to hold up to 1000x heavier molecules than this one single HA molecule. Hyaluronic acid can have different molecular weights - smaller molecules are usually more hydrating than bigger ones. Trehalose is a disaccharide. We all know that sugar is awesome for the skin. What does it do? Trehalose similar to other sugars has water-binding properties. Trehalose kinda acts like NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor). t-Butyl Alcohol is a solvent with a scent similar to camphor. It's common in perfumes. Sorbitol is a sugar, and what does sugar do in products? It works as a humectant, but it also works as a thickener and stabilizer.
Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. Sodium PCA is a humectant. Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant. It leaves a moisturizing film on the surface of the skin. Decyl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant that works as an emulsifier and thickener. Sodium Hyaluronate or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. It's a form of hyaluronic acid and naturally occurs in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate has strong water-binding properties. Sodium hyaluronate combined with elastin and collagen is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but sodium hyaluronate prevents skincare products from drying. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient, quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual. What works for you might not work for someone else. Arginine is an amino acid. It helps with protein biosynthesis in adults. According to research from 1964, a lack of arginine might raise your chance of getting an HSV infection. Ceramides naturally occur in the skin - it's like cement in the skin. Ceramide NP strengthens the skin barrier to prevent dehydration. Hydrogenated Lecithin is a version of lecithin. It works as an emollient in the formulas. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a synthetic peptide (sometimes called neuropeptide or biomimetic peptide). Lots of brands and media did a great job marketing this substance. That's why you can spot it with names such as Botox-like peptides or treatments. It won't give you the same effects as Botox, but there are some similarities. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 can help with wrinkles by decreasing the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines created by repetitive movements of muscles. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 inhibits SNARE complex and catecholamine release. It can stimulate collagen synthesis, and it has powerful, water-binding properties. That's why acetyl hexapeptide-8 might increase the moisture of the skin. It's better to use this peptide near the eye area to prevent fine lines in the eye area. Unless you have drooping eyelids, then the use of acetyl hexapeptide-8 is not recommended for you. If you have muscle problems, it's better to consult with your doctor or PT first, before adding acetyl hexapeptide-8 to your routine. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 can hide under the name Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3. Fragrance (Parfum) is a scent composition. It can cause allergic reactions. Citronellol is a scent ingredient. It adds a rose/floral scent to the product. It can be sensitizing. Geraniol makes products smell like geranium. It can be sensitizing. Limonene is a scent ingredient, and it makes the product smell like lemon or orange. Limonene can enhance the penetration of other substances, but at the same time, it can irritate the skin. Linalool gives a floral scent to products. It can irritate the skin.
How does CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunquid work?
CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunquid has a lighter formula than a typical sunscreen. It's a liquid formula that might even remind you of water. Although it's not as liquid as water, it's more like milk since even its colour is white. It doesn't leave any white cast - I tested it on my hand and black clothes, not a sign of sunscreen on my t-shirt. It leaves a delicate film on the skin which I can feel in touch - my skin is moist but it doesn't get greasy or oily, I can't feel it on my skin - it doesn't feel heavy, it doesn't feel oily. It just exists, but it doesn't bother me. I can even apply it on my eyelids since it's not harsh and I don't feel it migrating. This formula is 85% lighter than CNP Outdoor Fluid Sun - I haven't tried it so I can't compare but I tried other sunscreens and so far CNP is one of my 2024 favourites. This year I tried quite a few sunscreens and I have about 20+ more to try so that's why each Sunday on Instagram we're having Sunscreen SUN-day!!!!!!!!. CNP formula is a combination of oil-type sunscreen soaked in water base, that's why the formula feels so lightweight, but it still has its sun-protecting properties.
According to the brand, CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunquid contains two ingredients that make this formula special. First is Repair Peptide - a patented complex based on Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, its task is to replenish lipids. The other patented complex is called Glu-Hyaluronic Acid. It's an ultra-low molecular-weight Hyaluronic Acid. It's supposed to stimulate expression of CD44. CD44 is a glycoprotein and Hyaluronic Acid receptor. This ingredient is supposed to help with the moisture of the skin. The brand accentuates that this formula contains ingredients like sorbitol and trehalose to provide better moisture.
One of the interesting features of After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen is its cooling property. It can temporarily decrease skin temperature. It drops 6 degrees lower. I don't know how I can measure that, but it's a comfortable sunscreen.
I love to believe that IR sunscreens or After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen can lower the temperature of my body because I don't go through high temperatures easily.
The formula itself is amazing, it was love at first sight. It's delicate, it's hydrating, and yes this sunscreen contains alcohol, but I can't feel it. It doesn't even smell like alcohol. It's lightweight, it leaves no white cast and it feels like nothing on the skin. It works with makeup too. It doesn't leave my skin sticky, I can use it around my eyes. It's pure perfection! My skin is combo, but it's also more oily. This formula should be great for dry skin as well as oily skin. By the way, you can layer it and still the layers are so delicate that your skin won't get oily after a second or third application. CNP did a great job with this one.
The bottle contains 50ml, but it looks so tiny. You can easily put it in your bag. I've been testing it for about 2 months or even more since I ordered it on March 1st, and since then it's been one of my top 2024 sunscreens.
Where to buy CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen and how much does it cost?
The main problem with CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen sunscreen is availability. I got it from Olive Young, now it's also available on Stylekorean. CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen costs $33.30/50ml on Olive Young* (use my affiliate code BETWEEND0 to save on your order) and 25.20/50ml on Stylekorean*. The price difference is quite big, but in my case, Olive Young is still more affordable especially when I shop during Black Week and use coupons + affiliate codes to save on orders.
Overall, this CNP After-Ray Cooling Sunscreen is one of the top sunscreens and it's worth a try.
Have you tried any sunquid?
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