The Athlizm sunscreens aren’t new—the line was launched five years ago—but this is my first time trying them. This Athlizm range has been designed for extreme conditions such as 40℃ and 75% humidity; it’s Biore’s most tech-loaded line. The sunscreens are equipped with the Tough Boost and the Outer Skin technologies, which help create a protective layer resistant to sweat, water, and friction.

The Essence contains a mix of zinc oxide and chemical filters. It has alcohol in the formula, but emollients like butylene glycol and dimethicone negate its drying effect. The Stick is also a hybrid, but it includes titanium dioxide instead. Like all stick-type sunscreens, this one is also rich in lubricants, but at the same time, it has a sort of dry texture; it crumbles if pressed firmly. The Stick has a bit of menthol, which gives a cooling feeling, and tin oxide, but I don’t know if it’s enough to guarantee protection from visible light. Both products are enhanced with hydrating hyaluronic acid as well as eucalyptus extract and have pleasant flowery scents.

I understand why people like Athlizm sunscreens; they adhere to the skin like glue, but in a good way. Both the Stick and the Essence have a semi-matt finish; they give a bit of shine to the skin, just enough to make it look alive. Japanese sunscreens often have the ‘tone-up effect’, but these two coat the face in a way that an old-fashioned mineral sunscreen would. They leave a white cast on the skin; the Stick more than the Essence. While making the video, I used smaller amounts than usual so the white cast isn’t too visible. The Essence looks fine after one or two applications on my fair complexion, but the more I reapply, the more prominent the white overlay becomes. I think I need to compromise cosmetic elegance for durability when it comes to such sunscreens. Both products stay put on my face even if I sweat profusely and rub my skin. They barely shift, and once they settle, there’s little transfer onto clothing; a double cleanse is a must with these sunscreens. The best part is that they don’t clog my pores! Lastly, remember to blend these sunscreens well. They cling to facial hair and dry skin patches, so it’s best to apply them in small quantities and rub them well into the skin before adding more.

I like both of these products. However, I am unsure if I would repurchase the Stick because it’s quite pricey outside of Japan, and it’s not a truly on-the-go suncare product since you need to blend it in with your fingers. It’s advertised as a product to be used over makeup, but I doubt that would be possible. You need to rub it in; otherwise, you end up with white streaks on your face. If I have to dirty my fingers to reapply, I’d rather use the Essence instead; I like it more, and its cast is much less conspicuous. I would consider repurchasing it for days when I need extreme protection. I don’t necessarily need such sunscreen daily, but it’s fantastic while travelling, exercising, or during sweltering weather.

Ingredients 

Essence: water, zinc oxide, diisopropyl sebacinate, ethanol, silica, ethylhexyl salicylate, BG, ethylhexyltriazone, hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate, neopentyl dicaprinate Glycol, alkyl benzoate (C12-15), (Acrylate Na/Acryloyl Dimethyltaurine Na) Copolymer, Triethoxycapryl Silane, Dextrin Palmitate, Bisethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyltriazine, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, dimethicone, polysilicon-9, hyaluronic acid Na, eucalyptus leaf extract, EDTA-2Na, fragrance (Kao).

Stick: Water, triethylhexanoin, paraffin, diisopropyl sebacate, titanium oxide, alkyl benzoate (C12-15), isononyl isononanoate, neopentyl glycol dicaprate, ethylhexyl salicylate, BG, ethylhexyl triazone, ceresin, polyethylene, diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Hexyl benzoate, drometrizole trisiloxane, PEG-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, sorbitan isostearate, DPG, (acrylates/dimethicone) copolymer, bisethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, stearic acid, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol , menthyl lactate, Al hydroxide, silica, menthol, tin oxide, niacinamide, ethanol, sodium hyaluronate, eucalyptus leaf extract, phenoxyethanol, EDTA-2Na, fragrance (Yesstyle).

The Athlizm range is available from yesstyle.com [aff].