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Please tell me that I am not the only one that expects a Korean sunscreen called SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light to be, well, light in application? Especially when it is only SPF 30, something I usually see associated with cosmetically more elegant formulations. While you usually see me talking about SPF 50+ sunscreens here and I do prefer them, but the best sunscreen is always the one you are actually using, so I see the appeal in having a formula with less protection – if it is more comfortable to wear, that is.
Now everyone will have different preferences, so keep in mind that I am only reporting how it feels for me, maybe you do prefer a richer texture. In which case this might be interesting despite being called Light.
And if you want to hear my thoughts on all the SKIN1004 sunscreens available, here is a video comparison:
What the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air Fit Suncream Light claims
A non-nano physical sunscreen that blocks UV rays, while simultaneously brightening the skin. This summer must have is lightweight on the skin and protects against wrinkles.
Note: It is a common myth that inorganic filters reflect UV rays and organic filters absorb them, they actually don’t differ that much, but you’ll see that claim often.
Facts about the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air Fit Suncream Light
Prize and size
One tube contains 50 ml and is available for 15,95 € on the website here. I love the pump it comes with as it makes getting the same amount for each application easy. I found for my face 5 pumps equal the recommended amount.
Texture and smell
It has the texture of a cream, much thicker than your average lightweight Korean sunscreen, is white and has no noticeable scent. While you average Korean SPF feels like a lotion, here the term “suncream” is warranted, it has a much more cream-like texture than them.
How to use the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air Fit Suncream Light
I already mentioned I found it a little heavy upon application despite being called “Light”, so for me that would be one for the colder months where the lower SPF wouldn’t be as much of an issue. Sadly it also left a white cast even on my pale skin that settled over the first 10 minutes, but stayed noticeable around the hairline or in my eyebrows.
That is to be expected from inorganic filters and in this case probably gives the brightening effect claimed, but could be a problem for deeper skin tones. You can avoid it by using less product, but that would compromise the low UV protection of SPF 30 even further.
The finish is dewy and despite the slightly heavier texture it wears comfortably throughout the day. I was able to take it up to my eyes without irritation, but when I tried to reapply, there was a chance of pilling and the white cast got more noticeable.
Ingredients of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air Fit Suncream Light
sunsc 0 1, Propanediol solv|h, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Centella Asiatica Extract(29,400Ppm) so|aox|h, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate emu, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Caprylyl Methicone emo, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate emo|amic, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Portulaca Oleracea Extract so|aox, Houttuynia Cordata Extract aox|so, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate emo|emu, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 vc, Methylpropanediol solv, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Xanthan Gum vc, Adenosine cci, Polyether-1 vc, T-Butyl Alcohol perf|solv, Biosaccharide Gum-1 so|h, Madecassic Acid , Asiaticoside aox|perf, Asiatic Acid Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
The filter used is Zinc Oxide, offering broad spectrum protection on its own. It is known for leaving a white cast, especially when you try to reach high SPFs, which is probably why they opted for SPF 30 here. (More info: The diffference between organic and inorganic sunscreen filters)
Then you will find Centella Asiatica Extract as well as its active components added separately and Niacinamide for a long-term brightening effect. (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare and The benefits of Niacinamide in skincare)
Interestingly enough, there aren’t any additional hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin.
Does it live up to its claims?
Only some.
It is by no means lightweight and I mentioned already that inorganic filters don’t block UV rays any more than organic ones do, but as it is a sunscreen it does protect against wrinkles and it might help brighten longterm both due to protection from the UV rays and the added Niacinamide and shortterm due to the whitecast.
How does it compare to…
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus Suncream SPF 50 PA++++
This is the richer version of the one featured in this review, or at least so I thought when I saw they were called “Light” and “Plus”. As the texture in both is pretty similar, more of a cream than a lightweight fluid, the naming might refer to the protection factor more than to that.
Both use exclusively inroganic filters, which means that while the “Light” version using only Zinc Oxide, the “Plus” version uses a combination of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide which offer a hugher SPF, but also much increase the potential for white cast. And that shows, despite being slightly tinted the “Plus” version looks much worse on me when applied.
You can find my full review of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus Suncream SPF 50 PA++++ here soon.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Tone-Up Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
The Tone Brightening Tone-Up line features products combining Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to combat hyperpigmentation (More info: The benefits of Tranexamic Acid in skincare) so it was to be expected that you would find a sunscreen there as well.
It is a hybrid sunscreen using both organic and inorganic filters and also comes tinted, but despite the lovely texture it has, it absolutely did not work for me. Not only did it leave much more white cast on my skin than I would have thought, but it also settled into my pores and lines over the course of the day, making me look pale and patchy.
You can find my full review of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Tone-Up Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ here soon.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu Cica Water Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++
This one is by far my favorite out of all the sunscreens, and the only one that is exclusively organic filters. There is also Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica in the formula, but it is paired with Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, which makes it more hydrating.
I much prefer the texture, the protection and the way it looks on my face, as it has no whitecast on me. For full disclosure: My initial review on YouTube was a sponsored post as part of the launch campaign, but I have used up two tubes since, so you can trust that I really enjoy using it for everyday.
You can read my full review of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu Cica Water Fit Sun Serum here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
From all the inorganic sunscreens I have tried, this one has a better texture than most and less of a stark white cast. The initial creamier texture and dewy finish make it less ideal for oily skin types, while drier ones will need to wear a moisturizer underneath.
I personally much prefer formulas with organic filters and a higher SPF, so will not repurchase.
Shop the SKIN1004 sskincare here
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