All about Sunscreen! Hada Labo UV Moist Emulsion

Since the weather is getting hotter, I thought I'd do a post about something that is not to be neglected- SUNSCREEN!

Sunscreen has more or less become part of my daily skincare routine after my great skin breakout a couple of years ago. My dermatologist was the one who taught me the importance of sun protection. It is important that we slap on those UV protection as it helps to prevent premature aging, skin cancer, and most importantly hyper-pigmentation from scarring!!

My criteria for choosing a sunscreen:

-Broad Spectrum for UVA /UVB protection

-At least SPF 30

-Preferably a mix of physical and chemical sunscreen

-No white cast after application

-Non sticky

-Minimum 'sunscreen smell'

What exactly are all these sunscreen jargons?
UVA-Contributes to Aging
UVB-Contributes to burning
SPF-An indicator of the sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin.

Physical sunscreen-As what the name suggests, physically blocks/deflects the harmful UV rays by forming a shield over the skin. Eg Zinc Oxide & Titanium Oxide

Chemical sunscreens-Work by absorbing the UV rays. Eg Octylcrylene & Avobenzone

The sunscreen I'm currently using is the Hada Labo UV Moist Emulsion, also known as the Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing UV Milk. I have no idea why they want to have 2 names for the same product.
I tried Hada Labo UV Moist Emulsion about a year ago. Previously I was using Biore (the pink bottle) but I noticed that I was developing some oil seeds, so I was on the lookout for a new sunscreen. I picked up Hada Labo's because I've been using their skincare items and my skin reacted well to it, so I thought might as well give it a go!

Price:

S$20.40 at Watsons. I bought a back-up in Japan for less than S$10 (:

Texture:

Light, milky texture that's quite runny.

Swatches:

Packaging:

A compact plastic bottle that is functional and minimalistic.

Smell:

A slight sunscreen smell, but not too strong or offensive. I don't even notice it now when I put it on in the morning.

What I like: 

• Multi-functional. Other than being a sunscreen, it also gives hydration and acts as a makeup base!
• Skin feels smoother. I think that’s why it is suitable as a makeup base.
• Doesn’t break me out.
• Light-weight texture. Once the sunscreen sets, it doesn't feel like anything at all and it's very comfortable to wear.
• Non-oily and non-sticky. Some sunscreens tend to leave a greasy finish on the skin. The Hada Labo’s sunscreen has got quite a natural finish, that is not too dewy or too matte.
• No white cast. But I wouldn’t recommend it (in fact, any forms of sunscreen) for flash photography.

What can be improved:

I don't really have anything to complain about...but if I really want to nit-pick, I would say the smell of the sunscreen could be improved upon?

Actually it is recommended to re-apply sunscreen through out the day. But I find that to be too troublesome! Especially when I have makeup on, it just doesn't make sense to slather the sunscreen over makeup. Hope they do a spray version soon! It could be something like the Caudalie beauty elixir, but with SPF, so people could just spritz away during the day to freshen up and add on some sun protection! 

How to remove sunscreen?
Personally, I like to use my Bioderma to remove the sunscreen first and follow up with my usual cleanser.  I'm really paranoid about keeping my skin clean, better safe than sorry I feel!

Ingredients

More information about sunscreens!

http://www.skinacea.com/sunscreen/physical-vs-chemical-sunscreen.html#.UeYrzs0vufo

http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/sunscreen-facts.html

Japan Haul + Cheap Shopping places

Japan is an expensive city to live in. However, you could still get some affordable/bargain products if you know where to look! I'm not trying to 'show off' here. I just thought since I love kay-pohing and looking at what other people bought on their holidays, might as well share with people some items I got!

I only have 2 criteria in mind when I shop overseas:

1. Cheaper than the prices in Singapore

2. Something unique to the country and not easily accessible in Singapore

Prior to the trip, I will research and make a list of 'Items to buy' so I know what to look out for.

1. Skin Care

I bought a basket full of skin care products. My daily skin care routine consists of mainly Japanese products. These products are typically priced at the higher end at drugstores like Watsons/Guardian. So of course I had to stock up when I was in Japan! Most of the things were bought at Don Quijote, which is a massive discount chain store with everything you'll ever need.

Shisedo Perfect Whip Cleaner-Bought it because it was on sale for less than 4sgd.

Hada Labo-I use the entire Hada Labo range. That is cleaner, toner, moisturizers and sunscreen. Also picked up the moisturizing mist to try out. The prices in Japan was around 50% cheaper than Singapore, half-price!!! I didn't go crazy and buy 2-3 duplicates. Just bought 1 each due to baggage limits. According to experience, I usually go through the entire range within 6 months (day and night usage), so although it seems like a lot of stuff, it's actually quite alright since i do use them daily.

Schick Shaver-It was on sale (and it was limited edition) and it had My Melody on it. 

Cure-Another staple in my bathroom. Use it 1-2 times per week for exfoliation. You can buy it at Watsons at 49sgd, or you can buy it at Japan for like half the price.

Mythic Oil-I have one at home, and it's one of the best hair serum I've used. Bought it at Don Quijote at a bargain price.

Embryolisse lait creme concentre-I've heard many good things about it. Again, cheaper than the price in Singapore, so I bought it to try. 

Lychee eye drops-I have to admit, it was a lame purchase. LOL. Have yet to try it out.

Lush-Been wanting to try out Lush's products, but they are simply too expensive in Singapore. The Lush products in Japan are SO MUCH cheaper. And they have the Jap words on their containers! I forgot to take photo of the Ocean Salt, so I photoshopped it in. The other 2 are the Dream Cream and Big Shampoo.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil-One of my favorite make-up removers. Bought it at duty-free for like half the price Singapore's selling.

2. Make-Up

A smaller basket of products. Since they are all Japanese products, the prices are again, 40-60% cheaper than in Singapore

Heroine Make Mascara and Remover-I don't use mascaras because I'm always paranoid that they will kill my lashes. But since 2 of my best friends told me to get it for them, I thought it must be really good. I picked one up for myself.. you know, just in case I ever need an extra boost for my lashes. 

Shiseido eye lash curler-Was on sale. 

Canmake-Been wanting to try out their blushes for ages, but I put them on hold because I knew I was going to Japan. Bought their top and base coats to try too.

Dolly Wink Eyeliners-HOLY GRAIL eyeliners. It's quite expensive in Singapore and it's always OOS at Watsons. The only eyeliner that doesn't migrate under my eyes and stay on the entire day. Nuff said.

Brushes-Super soft brushes! 

Kate eyebrow/contour powder-Heard people raving about it for the longest time. And it was on sale at Harajuku. BUY!

3. Food

When I took this picture, I was worried that I might have gone a little crazy shopping for food. But it's only been a week since I came home, and I think we've cleared quite a decent amount. 

Bought some miscellaneous food items, and of course the MUST BUYS like Green tea, Tokyo banana, Kit Kats, Mochi, Hokkaido Bai Se Lian Ren, Royce Chocolate and Calbee Chips.

4. Random bargain finds!
The little things that made me feel super satisfied. By bargain, I mean really LOWWW prices (except for the instax heh).

1. Accessories holders- 2-tiered basket, bird cage and box. All 4sgd each!!! Freaking cheap. Found it at a shop called 3 Coins at Odaiba. They have outlets elsewhere in Tokyo as well.

2. and 3. are bought separately, but from the same vintage-themed shop called Salut! at Osaka. They have outlets all over Japan I think. Most of the things in the shop are less than/equal to 12sgd. If I live in Japan, I'll buy all their stuff to decorate my house.

4. This purchase was triggered by WM! She told me to help her get some instax films from Japan, and I got curious. So i did some research on the different cameras and prices in Singapore. As expected, it was cheaper in Japan (it was around $100-$110SGD cannot really remember the exact cost), so i bought it. 

Must go shopping places:

Don Quijote- For everything~ Skin care, make up, food, socks, random items, you name it!

Salut!-For affordable vintage themed furniture and household items, mostly less than 12sgd.

3 Coins-For cheap cheap household items at 315yen (about 4sgd). 

Tokyu hands-Electronics and interesting knick knacks.

If you're into Japanese drugstore makeup and skin care products, chances are, you can find it at 40%-60% cheaper in Japan. Prices of make-up and skin care items are pretty much fixed, so unless the store is having some sale going on, I find that there is no point comparing prices before buying.
I personally find that prices for departmental store brands like Shiseido and RMK are quite similar to Singapore. If fact, there was this foundation from Shiseido that was more expensive in Japan than in Singapore!

There are some bits and pieces that are too random to include in this post. But I took pictures of my loots every night, so they will appear when I blog about my Japan travels. Will update more about where to visit, where to shop and where to eat in Japan in subsequent posts! Good things must share!

3 Coins - http://www.3coins.jp/

Salut! - http://www.salut-web.jp/