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When you click on the video linked below, you will realize that in the introduction I claim to talk about something else than the regular Korean sunscreens and probably ask yourself: But isn’t the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF 50+ exactly that? A sunscreen from a Korean brand?
Yes. Yes, it is. But I had it open and wanted to talk about it as soon as possible, which is why it made its way into a video focused on sunscreen not from Korea, I hope you (and anyone else that clicks on the video) can forgive that.
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What the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream claims
This SPF 50+ PA++++ sun cream in a chemical formula leaves a natural, white cast-free finish. It contains 1,000ppm of mung bean extract to soothe irritation and tackle blemishes, along with 1,000ppm of bio-hyaluronic acid to boost skin moisture. Vegan and cruelty-free formula is hypoallergenic. It works well under makeup.
Facts about the Tocobo Watery Sun Cream
Prize and size
One tube, which is surprisingly flat and looks more like a stick at first glance, contains 50 ml and is available for 19,99 € on the website here. It is vegan.
Texture and smell
It is a white, watery formula that feels thicker on the skin than expected when you start to rub it in. The scent reminds me of pine.
How to use the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream
I use two fingers worth of sunscreen for my face, which spreads easily and leaves no white cast on my skin as well as only minimal tackiness. (More info: How much sunscreen do you really need for your face and neck)
I can also take it right up to my eyes without any irritation. The finish you get is slightly dewy, but not too much, and it wears comfortable throughout the day. For the summer months I find it to be a little more hydrating than my skin needs, but once it is colder that won’t be a problem.
Ingredients of the Tocobo Watery Sun Cream
sunsc, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid sunsc, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate emu, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Tromethamine buff, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate sunsc, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Polysilicone-15 sunsc, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract aox, Rheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract so|aox|amic|h, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract so|aacne, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract h, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil 2 3, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate vc, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine sunsc, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate emu|surf, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate emo|emu, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate surf|emu, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Fragrance 
perfHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
The filters used are the more modern organic filters like Uvinul T150, Mexoryl SX, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S and Parsol SLX, which is less widely known. (More info: Chemical, mineral and physical filters – What is the difference?)
On top of that there is Niacinamide, Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate for hydration, Allantoin for soothing and a bunch of different plant extracts. (More info: The benefits of Niacinamide in skincare explained and The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in skincare explained)
For the scent you will find fragrance. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare bad for you?)
Does it live up to its claims?
As far as I can tell.
It uses chemical filters, has no white cast (on me, which is obviously a poor reference) and is quite hydrating. I wouldn’t exactly classify it as hypoallergenic with added fragrance and plant extracts though and can’t comment on the soothing effects of mung bean extract.
How does it compare to…
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun – Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+
A sunscreen I have fallen in love with since I tried it, with similar great filters, a slightly less hydrating finish (which is good for my skin type) and more glow after application. They use rice extract for brightening as well as fermented ingredients instead of mung bean extract. (More info: The benefits of fermented ingredients in skincare explained)
Depending on your preferences and skin type, either will be a great pick.
You can read my full review of the Beauty of Joseon Releif Sun – Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ here.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+
Other than the Bio that Tocobo uses (and that I don’t know what they mean with) this is similar in name, filters and texture. Again, Tocobo is a tad more hydrating and leaves less of a glow, and the filters Isntree uses contain a few older ones as well. For additional skin benefits they focus on Niacinamide, Allantoin and Ceramides.
Based on your skin type and preferences both should work equally well.
You can read my full review of the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel here.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+
Again: modern organic filters, a similar texture with similar hydration and in this case, an equally natural finish. SKIN1004 uses Centella Asiatica for additional skin benefits as well as Niacinamide. (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare explained)
I do prefer this one a little bit, but again it depends on your preferences and both are perfectly fine sunscreens.
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?
It is one of the sunscreens that tick all of my boxes – finish not too dewy, modern filters, comfortable to wear, so I can see myself reaching for it a lot once it gets colder again. If I will actually repurchase though, I don’t know. Right now there are so many good options out there that a product needs to be truly outstanding to make me want to reach for it again and again.
In my opinion this is an amazing office sunscreen year round for those with normal to dry skin, and one that would work really well on all skin types during the colder months. Especially people that don’t like an extra glowy finish will enjoy this one.
Shop the sunscreens mentioned in the video here:
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