I am always on the lookout for lightweight sunscreens especially for my face.
Though I prefer physical sunscreens to the chemical ones, I do use both. On Renu’s blog, Cosmetopiadigest, I read her mini-review of Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 32, and I was intrigued because she said it was lightweight. When I searched for Country & Stream online, I discovered they had an SPF 50 version and I decided to try it out.
Country & Stream is a Japanese brand, and I bought the Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ on an international website, Beautius.com, that took about two weeks to get the product to me.
I received a very sweet thank you note from someone named Traci in response to my purchase, along with some cute stickers, candy! and a sheet mask, Leaders Mediu Amino Moisture Mask to try out. I thought that was very nice to send those extras.
Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
What’s In It?
Country & Stream has two collections: one with apple as a key ingredient and one with honey. They have a range of skincare products in each collection. This sunscreen is from the Honey collection; it is moisturizing (honey is a humectant), antibacterial (good for healing blemishes) and has antioxidant properties to protect from free radicals. It also contains a form of hyaluronic acid and royal jelly, another bee product that helps stimulate collagen production for anti-aging benefits. It also contains lots of herbal extracts, many from organic sources. In addition to being hydrating, it contains dimethicone which makes this product a good primer for foundation.
Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ protects from both UVA (long wave rays that damage skin) and UVB (short wave rays that produce sunburn) rays. The PA++++ is the highest rating in Asian skincare for preventing damage from UVA rays.
As I mentioned earlier, I prefer physical sunscreen filters but this sunscreen contains both physical/mineral and chemical filters. The mineral sunscreens in the products are familiar zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The chemical sunscreens are Octinoxate (absorbs UVB rays) and Uvinul A Plus (absorbs UVA rays). I’m not familiar with Unvinul A Plus, but Octinoxate is a common organic compound sunscreen ingredient in U.S. sunscreens and lip balms. I’m glad that it doesn’t contain the somewhat controversial Oxy or Avobenzone that may mimic hormones. The product also contains an organic compound Tinosorb S (BASF’s trade name) or Bemotrizinol that is known to have strong synergistic effects on SPF when combined with other sunscreens. In fact, it has been shown to be the most effective UV absorber, and that may help account for the product’s PA++++ rating. I read that, for some reason, it hasn’t been approved by US FDA (it may not have been put forward for testing in the U.S.) but it is approved in Europe and Australia.
The back of the tube is written in Japanese, but here’s the complete ingredient list: Water, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, propanediol, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, zinc oxide, methyl laurate heptyl, titanium oxide, dimethicone, honey, royal jelly, hydrolysed collagen, solubilised collagen, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetyl hyaluronate, marshmallow root extract, chamomile flower extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, jojoba leaf extract, lavender flower extract, rosemary leaf extract, Alchemilla japonica leaf extract, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, cyclopentasiloxane, (acrylic hydroxyethylmethacrylate / sodium acryloyldimethyltaurinate) copolymer, diisostearyl malate, aluminium hydroxide, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, polyhydroxy stearic acid, jojoba esters, fragrance, xanthan gum, butylene glycol, arginine, phytic acid, silver oxide
It is alcohol-free and parabens-free.
What’s It Like To Use?
Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ is indeed watery. Here’s what it looks like out of the tube:
When I spread it on, it has a definite watery consistency. When it quickly dries down, it is completely clear with no whitish cast whatsoever. It has a smooth coated feeling that I often get from using skincare products with dimethicone. I like it. It’s not heavy, it is mostly a lightweight feeling similar to the way primers can feel. It does give the skin a slight glow or shine, but I often wear foundation over it so it isn’t an issue. Even on its own, it isn’t obviously shiny on me.
It does have a light fragrance that smells herbal and citrusy that the website describes as Honey Lemon. I don’t mind it. It disappears after a few minutes.
More Product Info
Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ comes in a handy plastic tube, containing 45 g. I’m hoping it will last me through the summer. As I mentioned, I bought it on Beautius.com where it is currently on sale ($2 off) for $15.90 plus shipping. My total for the purchase was about $22.
Final Thoughts
I think Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ is a good sunscreen for dry skin or mature skin that can use extra hydration. It may be hydrating enough for some to skip a moisturizer, and it certainly works as a primer. I like the lightweight/watery consistency on application, and I don’t mind the primer-ish feeling on my skin. Although it has chemical as well as mineral sunscreen filters, it’s affordable and a good value for the ingredients and benefits received. I recommend it!
Have you tried any Asian sunscreens?
This might be right for me because I have a dry-normal skin, definitely something for me to pick up soon because I am running out of my Prevage City Smart sunscreen.
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I’m really happy with it! The consistency is great and I can wear it instead of a moisturizer on warm, humid days
I ADORE how J-Beauty and K-Beauty stores add some li’l freebies every time. That gesture is something the rest of the world would do well to emulate – it doesn’t make it feel like an impersonal electronic order. I wish I could get those cute stickers. And boy, do those two nations make the best sunscreens! Thanks very much for the shoutout, and for the intro to Beautius. Thrilled to find Hada Labo at reasonable prices.
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I was so happy to try this out, Renu. Thanks for the recommendation. The SPF 50 doesn’t have alcohol in it, so I think that coupled with the higher SPF make it a winner. That’s great that Beautius carries Hada Labo. We’re lucky that Ulta carries it in the US, but I think it is a slightly different line from the brand sold in Asia coz it looks different from the HL products I’ve seen at HMart.
This seems like a sunscreen that would serve the hydration and priming purpose for me. I have to check this out. The scent sounds nice even if it doesn’t last too long!
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This is a really good sunscreen for me with my dry skin since it’s hydrating. But I just came from Ulta, and I tested the Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, and it was the best sunscreen I have ever tried. It dried down to absolutely nothing. I’m beyond impressed. But it’s $36!! Wish I had known about it during the Ulta coupon event a couple of weeks ago!
While I tend to prefer mineral sunscreen, I also have chemical sunscreens, and I am very intrigued by your description of this one. I am swimming in sunscreens right now, but I would definitely like to try this.
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Helen, I really like this lightweight, hydrating sunscreen. But I just came from Ulta, and I tested the Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 and I swear it is absolutely the lightest weight sunscreen of any kind that I have ever tried. It dried down to absolutely nothing. Like you, I have a million sunscreens or moisturizers with SPF, so I balked at spending another $36 but I am sooooooo tempted. I’m going to see if I can find it at Dermstore or at a discount on the Coola site – I am that impressed!
This is something I need to try too. I love good sunscreens and prefer physical ones, but I’m willing to give this one a try based on your review. And who doesn’t like a few extra treats in their beauty box?!
So yesterday when I went to Ulta to return something, I discovered Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. I tested it and fell in love. It completely disappeared on my skin: no whitish cast, no coating, no nothing. If it hadn’t been $36, I would have bought it in a heartbeat
First, the cutest packaging! Second, it sounds really nice. I like a lightweight sunscreen for my face. Right now I’m using Murad which I love but I don’t know about spending the money on it when it’s empty.
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What a sweet touch to include the extras and the note! Unfortunately, Octinoxate (spelling?) breaks me out, so I tend to avoid products with that.
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I was at Ulta on Friday, and I discovered one of the Coola Mineral Face sunscreens that was even more amazing: all mineral and it dried down to absolutely nothing. I wish the heck I had gotten the exact name of it since they have several that sound similar! Good for those who are unable to wear any chemical sunscreens!
SPF in a gel formula?! Yes please, sign me up!
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Don’t you just love Japanese skincare?<3
The UV Water Gel sounds really interesting and I really want to try it!
It’s wonderfully lightweight. I’ve been skipping moisturizer and just using this, yay!
I’m so glad you tried this! I was instantly interested when Renu posted it too. I am swimming in sunscreen right now, but I will definitely try this in the future.
I know the feeling, Bailey, but this is a good one and so is a Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen that I just tried that dries down to nothing!
None of the Coola sunscreens have enough UVA protection. Zinc Oxide is too low for that and Titanium does not cover the whole range. A good mineral sunscreen will always have some kind of whitecast unless it is either tinted or use nano technology.
Thanks for the info, Sue. I will check into that further. Some people can’t wear chemical sunscreen so mineral is the way to go. Many people do not want a white face, and some won’t wear any skincare products that use nano technology. Which brands do you favor?
Currently, I prefer a combination of physical and chemical filters, such as in Skin Aqua Super Moisture (very moisturizing, invisible, but shiny) and Anessa Aqua Booster Mild (sweat resistant, but a little whitecast). Both are PA++++ and alcohol free. My favorite in terms of finish are the European version of Dior One Essential City Defense SPF 50 PA++++ (with my favorite filter Tinosorb M) and Tatcha (unfortunately this only have 15% zinc as UVA filter).
For physical, BareMinerals Prep is very nice with 23% zinc oxide. Drunk elephant Umbra(new, 3oz version) and Derma E Face (newest version) are also good with 20% zinc and minimal whitecast. They need some time to dry though (if not you will see some pilling when trying to put makeup). For tinted moisturizers, I use Skinmedica Mineral Defense Tinted (only 7% zinc), Suntegrity 5in1, Replenix Ultimatte and It Cosmetics CC (some potential irritants, but foundation finish).
Some physical sunscreens with beautiful finishes are Skinceuticals Fusion UV and Murad City Defense, but I prefer more zinc content. Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense and Replenix Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 Plus are in the middle range (relatively high zinc content with ~13% and relatively nice finish).
Thank you so much, Sue, for this extensive list! The Korean combo of physical and chemical sunscreen that I recently bought and reviewed from Country & Stream (Honey UV Water Gel SPF 50 PA++++) has Tinosorb M, I believe, and that was the first time I had heard of that ingredient. I use IT CC Cream and their Confidence In A Compact. I am curious about Replenix, a new to me brand. I should check out Paula’s Choice Resist Superlight Wrinkle Defense.