[Disclaimer: Product was gifted by brand but all opinions are entirely my own].
By now, I have a theory that most skincare junkies today paid no heed to sunscreens back in the days, and I am no exception. I grew up playing games on the streets from morning until lunch time when the sun was at its' most wrathful state. We also had frequent family excursions to the beach then, good thing my mom would always bring sunblock along and give me a good nagging whenever I whine about applying some on my face. Growing up with really dark skin, I was under the impression that I was a naturally-born Morena.
Come 2015, my High School peers and I went to Caramoan Islands in Bicol for a week long getaway. The typhoon had just passed but the sun still wasn't visible. I couldn't figure out why my girl friends even bothered lathering on sunscreen when there was no sun in sight. They even offered to put some on me and I kindly refused since I thought it wasn't necessary, plus I hated feeling sticky. We went on full island hopping the entire day, gone snorkeling, climbing limestones, and some more snorkeling. I remember the feeling of heat slowly creeping up my cheeks that afternoon which I brushed off as normal.
That night totally changed me. I washed my face with cold tap water since the heat was becoming wearisome. It wouldn't go away. I examined my arms, my legs, they looked so much darker than they already were and had a darkish Red hue but it was nothing compared to the horror that was my face. I turned the lights on to take a closer look and I bawled as soon as I realized what was happening. My face was the color of crimson from the scalp up to my ears. Tiny wrinkles crept up whenever I attempt to move my mouth. It was as though the top layer of my skin shrunk to a flimsy sheet that would tear apart at the slightest movement of my lips. But the worse part wasn't over. There were small blisters forming on my temples, on the side of my mouth, as well as on my nose. Blisters everywhere. Finally, I came to the realization that I was sun-burnt, really bad.
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During the height of my agony. Taken using an oldschool camera. Sorry for the bad quality. |
I visited the most esteemed Dermatologist in our town as soon I got back home and he gave me the most monumental scolding of my life. I was given medications to lessen the redness and itch, creams to accelerate the peeling of burnt skin and probably the biggest bottle of sunscreen I've seen in my life.
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Sorry about the visible strap. I was a young, innocent kid LMAO |
I feel funny whenever I recall those times. Since then, I've fallen in love with SPF and has so far became that one staple in my skincare routine. What's even weirder is the fact that all this time, I wasn't actually a morena. The moment I started using sunscreen, my skin tone became lighter overtime. Not that it contains skin whitening ingredients whatsoever. But it helped in restoring my natural fairness I never knew existed.
So I reckon I've rattled on quite long enough? Kindly read on as I share my thoughts about one of my, if not the, Holy Grail sunscreens: MiZuMi UV Watery Serum. My utmost gratitude to Miss Macy for reaching out and gifting me with this amazing product! 💙💙💙.
BRAND HISTORY:
MizuMi is a Thai dermatological care brand that employs Japanese technology and ingredients to create minimalist yet top of the notch skincare products. The Brand Name ‘MizuMi’ is categorically a name which was derived from 2 Japanese words—Mizu (water) + Mi (beauty) which reflects the brand's vision that ‘skin beauty starts from water’.
All of their products were formulated with the ‘5-free commitment’ mindset, all of which are free of :
- fragrances
- oils
- parabens
- alcohols
- synthetic colors
This is to warrant that their products are safe to be used and enjoyed by even the most sensitive of skin types, a.k.a. myself.
WHAT IT IS:
It is a 100% non-chemical sunscreen with a light and comfortable texture (beautymnl). It is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
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My current HG sunscreen Mizumi UV Watery Serum |
KEY INGREDIENTS:
- Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (protects from harmful UV rays)
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (oil-soluble derivative of Vitamin C that can be used in higher concentrations without drawbacks. Main purpose is for skin brightening)
- Sodium Hyaluronate (salt form of Hyaluronic Acid for moisture retention)
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E which is mainly for anti-aging and wound healing)
COMPLETE LIST OF INGREDIENTS:
Water, Zine Oxide (Micronized), Titanium Dioxide (Micronized), Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dioctyldodeceth-5, Lauroyl Glutamate, Alumina -2, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Simethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, DL-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
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MiZuMi UV Watery Serum |
VOLUME:
40 grams
PRICE:
Php 1,399.00 /$27.55 (beautymnl price)
CLAIMS:
- Mild enough to be used by all skin types, especially sensitive ones as well as acne prone.
- It has SPF 50 PA+++ that provides maximum and long lasting protection against UV rays
- Does not leave a white cast on the face
- lightweight and non sticky thus quite suitable for everyday use.
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Viscous texture but watery |
DIRECTIONS:
Always shake well before usage. Apply liberally on entire face and neck.
IMPRESSIONS:
Unlike most of the sunscreens I used previously, this one has no fragrance, not even a mild scent. Rather, it gives off a an earthly-scent, which I appreciate since I am assured that it is free from harmful chemicals.
EXPERIENCE:
I have been using this sunscreen consistently everyday, for three weeks. "Apply liberally" is my name of the game. I make sure to smear on pea-sized drops on every corner of my face. So far, I assume there is about 20-25% product remaining, or probably less.
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Easily spreads and glides on smoothly |
THOUGHTS:
PROS:
- I am a constant user of natural/organic products thus earthly smells do not annoy me at all. It has that kind of scent and I like it a lot.
- The container is a little skinny and relatively small so it fits even inside my jeans' pockets. Very handy and travel friendly.
- The bottle has a
semi fine tip applicator (I can't figure out the correct term for it) which allows me to dispense my preferred amount of product.
- The product is rather viscous but it glides very smoothly on my face and is surprisingly lightweight. No tackiness felt whatsoever even after it has set.
- It has a tone-up effect which made my face instantly brighter but without horrible white cast effects.
- Has velvety to almost matte-but not-flat finish which is perfect for our country's humid weather.
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Screencap from my Get Ready With Me IGTV clip |
CONS:
- This is usually the reason for my cons and you guessed it right! The price point. It retails for Php 1,399.00 for a bottle of 40 grams. It is very expensive, to say the least.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If only I was still a working woman with a fixed income, I would not have any problems with splurging on products which I really like. I might have a bit of setbacks but it won't stop me from shelling out an extra cash if the quality is undeniable. However, it is not the case at this point. I am now a housewife and every cent is Gold to me. Quite unfortunately, this amazing sunscreen has now fallen victim to my lack of financial resources and therefore, will be included in my list of what-could-have-beens. I love this sunscreen. I really do! But I will not be able to afford you anytime soon. If only it was priced just a tad bit lower than a thousand, I'd let you take my bank account wholeheartedly. But until then, I will cry for you.
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Screencap from my IGTV clip. Lovin' the Tone Up effect with no white cast |
RATING:
4.5/5, 'cause of the price. Other than that, it's perfect!
REPURCHASE:
Definitely I will, someday. LOL.
Much Love,