Mild Essence Sun Milk
Missha 

Most people tend to not apply sunscreen unless they plan on being outdoors for an extended period of time. And according to this scary infographic from Paula's Choice, only 1 in 7 women in the US wear SPF daily (woah!) and 85% of the population still doesn't know that brown spots and wrinkles come from the sun's harmful rays. 

Sunscreen is my deserted island product! It is *the* most important thing you will put on your face that will prevent wrinkles and brown sun spots. So, yes, I am a bit of a sunscreen addict and I make sure to apply generously, because sunscreen won't do its job if used sparingly.

For the longest time, I used Shiseido's Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion and then was curious to search out a more affordable Korean version with an even better formula. 

I thought my search ended when I tested SU:M37's Sun Away Cooling Watery Sun Block. It was all that I wanted in a sunblock or more—and it even smelled great. But it also had the expensive price tag of $40-plus. While a great product,, I knew I could find something less expensive.

Then I found "the one." MISSHA's Mild Essence Sun Milk had all the qualities I look for in a great sunscreen: lightweight, non-greasy, UVA & UVB protection, and no white cast. It replaces that artificial scent of a traditional sunscreen with a subtle, sweet fragrance.

And, more importantly, an $18 price point I was happy with.

Very light texture and absorbs quickly.

The term “milk” is a very fitting descriptor of the product and is used quite often in Korea to describe sunscreen. Like the dairy product, the texture is very light and the formula absorbs quickly into the skin. There is no white cast and is non-greasy, making it perfect to wear under makeup. Most importantly, it protects against UVA and UVB. Unfortunately, most traditional sunscreens only shield against UVB rays, which cause redness and burning. However, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and has been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling—so you definitely need that UVA protection.

What makes this product really unique and special is that it actually has essence as part of the formula! (FYI: I’m a major essence addict!) You are not only protecting your skin, but also nourishing it so that it promotes cell renewal while hydrating it all at the same time. And sensitive skin types rejoice!: The sun milk is alcohol-free and hypoallergenic.

Now the question: When should I apply SPF? After moisturiser! Shake the bottle and apply generously over your face and neck, paying extra attention to areas the sun typically hit first, such as the forehead, top of your cheeks, nose, and chin.

And don't be afraid to layer up on your sun protectants. I've been asked frequently, "Do I need this if I use a cushion/bb cream that has SPF in it?" Remember, sunscreen only works effectively when you apply generously. Cushion compacts alone, while high in SPF, may not be protecting you fully, especially in the summer. I'd recommend using the sun milk as a base before the cushion compact. And throughout the day, use the cushion compact to reapply the SPF.

My hope is that with this product (or even just this blog post) I can persuade everyone to using sunscreen every day because it truly is your best defense against melanoma and premature aging.

Your Reviews

"Love this sunscreen and it's not greasy at all. I love that it doesn't have the horrible sunscreen smell either. I know it works really well because when I went to my dermatologist to have my skin looked at, I forgot I had the sunscreen on when they looked at my skin to see where there were damage and they couldn't see anything because the sunscreen was on my face." - Angela Y

"I love how this sunscreen is light and smooth. I’ve been using it everyday for the past 2 weeks and so far, it’s been an excellent summer sunscreen. It does require making sure that it’s fully absorbed so it doesn’t cast white on my N35 skin (unlike the Biore Watery Essence that went on 100% clear) but I like this sunscreen more before it does smooth out my skin. It wears great underneath makeup with no pilling." - Danielle B

"With previous face sunscreens, even if I reapplied every 2 hours in the sun, I would still get slightly burned on my nose and cheeks. This one prevents any burning. It's also hydrating enough that I can skip my moisturizer during the summer, and just use this for a light layer of hydration that lasts all day. It's not greasy - it's actually super thin and pleasant to apply and wear - and feels like there's nothing on your face. I've also never noticed a white cast using it. I literally have no complaints." - Ashley J

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