I discovered this sunscreen last year and fell in love with it. It’s one of the best sunscreens I’ve ever tried, definitely one of the most cosmetically elegant ones in Europe without breaking the bank if compared to brands like Sensai or Dior. I am not sure if this specific sunscreen is still sold in Asia, as Decorté may have replaced it with the Very Water Resistant Sunscreen. However, the ingredient lists of the two products appear to be alike, so they may be quite similar. 

This sunscreen is a hybrid, combining mineral and chemical filters in a creamy gel vehicle. The base is a winner, providing a lightweight and hydrating feel. The formula is packed with plant extracts, antioxidants, vitamin E, and a vitamin C derivative, all of which work together to reduce oxidative stress. It also contains collagen, a trusted ingredient for hydration, and Hydroxyproline, an amino acid that can potentially reduce wrinkles. The product has a pleasant scent typical of moisturising creams; it’s not overpowering and fades quickly. 

This sunscreen is a joy to use throughout the day. It’s moisturising and gentle yet quickly absorbed into the skin. It matches my fair complexion and gives it a subtle hint of glow without looking greasy or ghostly white. This product is one of those beautifying sunscreens meant for everyday use, which is to be expected as Decorté products are sold at perfumeries, aimed at customers who care about looks. I believe the mineral filters are responsible for the glassy tincture, but it’s not comparable to Japanese tone-up suncare. It’s unsurprising that mineral filters, regardless of how small the particles are, tend to leave an often hardly noticeable overlay. You can see the finish in the video before the confetti; the camera couldn’t catch it afterwards. 

Applying this sunscreen is a breeze, even 2g at once, though I usually opt for 3-4 generous layers, as I don’t find the time to fiddle with the scale. The sunscreen sits nicely on the skin, never feeling heavy or causing sweat. Even after reapplying, the product remains aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The only issue I’ve noticed is when I perspire, which is inevitable in warm weather, the sunscreen makes those areas of my face look lustrous, but it’s nothing that a tissue or a cuff can’t remedy. This sunscreen is quite resistant to friction and sweat; even after a day of sweating and dabbing sweat away, I still need to double cleanse. Otherwise, the sunscreen doesn’t wash off entirely. 

This lovely Sun Shelter provides reliable sun protection and looks great on the skin. I rarely question Japanese sunscreens’ efficacy; I think only one has ever failed me. However, I don’t rely solely on sunscreens for sun protection, so I care more about the finish. Admittedly, this one is not the cheapest, but it comes in a 60g (58ml) tube, placing it at a price point similar to many pharmacy sunscreens. 

Ingredients: WATER · ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE· ALCOHOL· ZINC OXIDE (nano)· PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRATE· DIMETHICONE· POLYSILICONE-15· DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE· BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE· DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL· STEAROYL INULIN· ASCORBYL TETRAISOPALMITATE· ASPALATHUS LINEARIS EXTRACT· EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF EXTRACT· HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN· HYDROLYZED SILK· HYDROXYPROLINE· SOLUBLE COLLAGEN· TOCOPHEROL· ALUMINA· BHT· BUTYLENE GLYCOL· CETEARYL ALCOHOL· DIMETHICONE/POLYGLYCERIN-3 CROSSPOLYMER· ISOHEXADECANE· NYLON-12· PEG-10 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL· PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL· POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID· POLYSORBATE 80· SODIUM ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER· SORBITAN OLEATE· STEARIC ACID· TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE· TRIETHYLHEXANOIN· TRILAURETH-4 PHOSPHATE· VINYL DIMETHICONE/LAURYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER· XANTHAN GUM· PHENOXYETHANOL· FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)· CITRONELLOL· LIMONENE· LINALOOL· TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) (Decorté)

The Sun Shelter Water Resistant Sunscreen is available at Decorté’s stockists.