Available on: Yesstyle.com (LINK) – Use my Discount Code: CVQFZA to receive % off!
The AXIS-Y website: HERE
Price: £18.32
Volume: 50ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: A Mugwort-based Physical (Inorganic) sunblock that aims to protect and soothe the skin.
Description: A Lightweight + Moisturising cream that aims to not irritate the skin.
Supposedly Good for: All skin types – Combination, Dry, Normal, Oily – and irritated skin.
What I think: Some people with dry skins say that a Mineral/Physical SPF is quite drying for them. But for me personally (combo skin) this isn’t drying for me. This didn’t seem to irritate my easily-irritated skin.
The Box:
Unboxed:
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: A matte tube with a screw top lid. It has the same kind of nozzle as the Retinol Eye Cream from Pixi (Review HERE).
Can you see the Tip of this product / The product applicator?
You can sometimes get a little spillage with this product, simply due to the applicator thin tip and air pressure.
Directions: Apply as you do any SPF – make sure you are protected!
How I use it: I initially tried this in the AM before I went to the gym – but after realising that this isn’t great for use when sweating / exercising, I then used this as my Daytime – in the house SPF and if I was going to the supermarket. I didn’t need to use a moisturiser when applying this as I didn’t find this drying for me (I have combo skin).
Key Ingredients: UV Filters: Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide – Therefore this is a physical/mineral/inorganic SPF.
For those of you nervous about Korean SPFs since the controversy with Purito – I asked a brand representative about the SPF rating and if it was true to the SPF50+ PA++++ rating, as I understand there is some concern about the SPF ratings not always matching the true protection. And this is what the representative said:
”We can not show any internal documents from our manufacturer due to company regulation, but we can assure you that our sunscreen has been tested both with KFDA and ISO 24444 standards to have SPF 50+ and PA++++ as labelled on the packaging. Our sunscreen also contains 10% Zinc Oxide with 6% Titanium Dioxide. ”
- So I hope that this helps clarify some of your worries! I really like what Lab Muffin Beauty Science said about K-Beauty SPFs – they are made for an Asian market where people apply SPF daily and also re-apply, and usually use SPFs for regular activities like working indoors or nipping to the supermarket. So personally, I would wear this for casual, everyday use – but I would suggest a Western SPF for very high intensity sun exposure like going to the beach or if you’re going hiking etc.
Full Ingredients: Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Inositol, Aluminum Hydroxide, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Glycerin, Squalane, Allantoin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Artemisia Capillaris Extract(0.005%), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tocopherol
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
- I like the addition of Squalane (great oil) Allantoin (soothing) and other extracts that are meant to sooth the skin. Betaine is always a nice moisturising / hdyrating addition, as well as Glycerin.
Texture:
As you can see this has a creamlike texture. It feels like a cream.
Swatch:
This is an inorganic SPF so it has that texture that an inorganic/physical/mineral SPF has. In terms of it feels less watery and more cream-like, almost like a paste. This doesn’t mean that this product is hard to spread, not at all. It doesn’t rub and tug along my skin. And yes initially when rubbing, you get this white look. I just need to be patient by spreading and waiting for the product to absorb.
This is after immediately rubbing in: There are initial white streaks as you can see. These tend to settle in the fine lines / bits of dryness as most inorganic/Mineral/Physical SPFs do (due to the chalky nature of the Filters).
However, I can simply pat the product after this to remove the obvious white streaks, which overall makes the product blend a bit better into the skin.
I will say however, that there is a very slight white cast on skin my colour. BUT I didn’t seem to get comments of ‘You look sick’ So I think instead of making me look ill, this product’s finish made me simply look a bit more brighter. So that was a relief.
I wiped off half the product so you can see the colour / texture finish between No product (left) and product (right).
The left is my regular hand skin an on the left is the SPF on top. As you can see it provides a slight white cast BUT not too egregious. Also I think it adds a bit of a glow to the skin (i.e. is light reflecting).
To me it simply looks like brightening without making my skin look dull / grey and ashy. Unfortunately I can’t say for darker skin tones if this would have the same look / effect.
I would like to say that this to me, did not feel drying on my face. But I have heard dry skins state that Physical SPFs can be drying for them. If so, simply apply a moisturiser before adding this on (to prevent any clinging to dry patches). But I think oily – combination wouldn’t find this drying.
- Also I hope you can tell that this doesn’t really give a very oily / shiny finish. But I wouldn’t say that this is mattifying either. It does give a bit of a glow.
Video Swatch: See the Finish (brightening effect)
Youtube Video: Live Swatching + Discussing the products!
Balling up? Pilling?: Now the brand state that this product shouldn’t give any white cast, pilling or flaking. I will mention the white cast later but in terms of pilling or flaking, this does not pill or flake on me.
Fragrance?: No added fragrance – And when rubbing this in, it doesn’t smell of anything but SPF. However some of the ingredients themselves may be fragrant as well as providing a benefit, so please refer to the ingredients list in case you are sensitive!
Good Under Makeup?: I don’t find Inorganic SPFs to be as good as Organic SPFs as makeup primers due to their slight patchiness + clinging to dry skin.
How long have I been using this?: For 2 months
The Effect?: A fine, everyday SPF that’s good for working in the office or in the house, or nipping to the supermarket. Of course re-application is always necessary for any SPF. This didn’t feel drying to me and also it didn’t irritate my skin. It does provide the skin with a brightening effect.
White Cast?: I am olive-toned. When applying, I asked my sister to look at me and she said she couldn’t see a white cast. I also asked her if I looked grey/sick and she said not at all. BUT when we started working out and sweating, she told me that where my forehead sweat was – there was emulsification (white milky droplets) where I was sweating, and also my eyebrows had started to look white (due to the emulsification). I asked her if this was always the case and she said ”No! It was absolutely fine before we were working out”. SO – for my Olive-toned skin, this does not give me a white cast in regular everyday use. But if I sweat intensively, then yes – this sunblock emulsifies and then I get white streaks / droplets on my face.
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What I like:
- Brightening effect
- Moisturising
- I don’t look greasy – just bright
- Easy to apply + spread (not clinging to my skin or rubbing + tugging)
- Not thick (usually quite chalky I find Titanium Dioxide SPFs.
- No added fragrance
- Good packaging – the way the nozzle is, it’s quite neat to apply this.
- Soothing ingredients added
What I don’t like:
- Not suitable for sweating / working out in (if you are my skin tone or darker) – as this emulsifies and makes the face look like it’s sweating milk.
- I tend to prefer Physical SPFs over Inorganic/Chemical as Organic/Chemical SPFs are naturally thinner in texture.
- I prefer a completely transparent SPF
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.6/5 – This is a comfortable SPF – it wasn’t sticky or tacky and it didn’t make my skin feel like it couldn’t breath. Because it’s an inorganic SPF, yes I could still feel this on the skin, whereas a chemical SPF does seemingly disappear. I like the packaging, I really like the controllability of the nozzle, and that it’s a screw top to prevent spillage. I also like that it’s unscented. I like that this has no added fragrance or essential oils. I also like that this didn’t irritate my skin and that this wasn’t difficult to apply (not chalky). This didn’t dry out my skin and definitely provides a moisturised look to the skin. Once again, I would wear this indoors + for regular, not so bright, sunny days – and always remember to re-apply your SPF!
I do think overall I prefer organic/chemical spfs because I prefer matte finishes and very light formulas BUT this is one of the better Physical/inorganic SPFs I’ve tried, and I never felt uncomfortable, or like I didn’t want to apply this as it does feel moisturising and there’s no offensive scent and I don’t look tired/sick when wearing this!
I think you would like this if: You are my skin tone or lighter, if you prefer Physical/Inorganic SPFs over chemical SPFs, if you want an SPF for regular living (i.e. not going to the beach), if you don’t need wear an SPF when you work out, if you want a bit of a brightening finish without looking greasy, if you have combo skin and you want an SPF with no added fragrance/EO.
Would I purchase?: I refer Chemical over Physical SPFs as I prefer very light/watery formulas and usually with a matte finish. Also I have to wear SPF when I work out and since this doesn’t work for me when sweating, I can’t use it for that purpose.
Dupe?: The closest thing to what I have tried is the Anessa Perfect UV sunscreen skincare gel (as that also contains Titanium and Zinc Oxide). In terms of texture, the Isntree Watery Sun Gel is close but that is an organic/chemical SPF and doesn’t provide this type of glowy finish.
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
View the product on the Axis-y Website HERE
AXIS-Y Instagram HERE
Also Available on Skin Library UK HERE
My Skincare Regime 
Hi, is this sunscreen suitable for very oily and acne prone skin?
What’s the best fragrance free mineral sunscreen to at home and daily use and what’s the best fragrance free sunscreen tooutdoor and high sun exposure for very oily and acne prone skin?
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Hello, can you recommend me a fragrance free sunscreen for very oily and acne prone skin to outdoor and high sun exposure? Please answer
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Hey there I have rosacea and combi(previously very oily) skin, and elta MD physical sunscreens might be a good fit. It has 10% zinc oxide like the y-axis one and 5.5% titanium oxide, while zinc oxide is a great active for oil control, so definitely opt for a zinc oxide based sunscreen. This sunscreen is water-resistant so it won’t wear off easily and it’s designed to withstand outdoor activities too. It doesn’t have fragrance and I also haven’t had any reactions towards it. I live in a hot country and it is a perfect fit for my sensitive skin and active lifestyle.
Downsides:
It leaves a white cast if reapplied more than twice. It doesn’t bother me as I avoid staying outdoors for too long(>3hours) and because it stays on very well I seldom find the need to reapply. I also have a paler skin tone.
I don’t like the smell, it reminds me of dried saliva… overtime I got used to it and I’m almost finishing my 2nd tube, nowadays only my partner complains about the smell because he is often in close contact with my face.
It is water-resistant, which means it is a waterproof sunscreen and you have to take it off at the end of the day with a make-up remover before cleansing your face. I use a cleansing oil first and then a gentle cleanser. Double cleansing is a good idea to keep debris off your skin since you mentioned your condition.
Of course if you have oily skin it is great to look into if your skin is getting enough hydration and moisturising. Remember to keep your skin hydrated under the sunscreen! Good luck.
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