Get Maximum Protection and Comfort With This Sunscreen

The Sun Project Series of sun creams from kbeauty cult brand, Thank You Farmer, have been making its rounds on the internet in recent years. We take a deep dive into the popular Sun Project Light Sun Essence SPF 50+ to see what all the fuss is about. Read on for our full review.

Wearing sunscreen is a daily skincare necessity in sunny Singapore but between the numerous options in the market, the extreme humidity of the tropics, different lifestyles, skin types and concerns, finding the perfect sunscreen can be one of the more challenging skincare choices that we have to make.

One sunscreen that has been getting a lot of attention online recently is the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence. Rated SPF 50+ PA+++ for maximum protection against UVA and UVB rays, it has developed a loyal user base in recent years. And so I jumped at the opportunity to do an in- depth review when the opportunity arose. Read on for my review of this cult beauty favourite.

TL;DR 

About My Skin: Combination-Oily Skin and Acne Prone

So, before I get into the details of the product, here’s a little skin context. I have combination skin with drier cheeks and an oily T-zone. While the level of oiliness does vary through the day (and month), my skin tends towards the oily side and I do get, in my opinion, more than my fair share of acne breakouts.

Because my skin tends towards the oilier side, I do find physical sunscreens to be rather uncomfortable, especially with the humid climate in Singapore, and tend to favour chemical or hybrid sunscreens as they usually feel a lot more comfortable for regular, daily wear. 

Appearance, Scent and Application

The Sun Project Light Sun Essence comes in a slender, baby blue, 40ml/1.40fl oz tube with a screw cap. The tube itself is made from a soft flexible material that allows you to squeeze out every bit of the sunscreen from the tube so you don’t waste any of it. The packaging and the box that it comes in are all quite nice but pretty much your standard kbeauty fare.

It has a light floral and fresh fragrance that is quite pleasing especially for those who don’t like the typical scent of sunscreens but if you are looking for a fragrance-free sunscreen, then this isn’t it. I’m personally not too picky about it and the scent was not particularly strong or overpowering. It faded after a couple of minutes and did not bother me at all.

The sunscreen itself had an off white appearance with a light “airy” texture that felt more like a lotion than a cream. The advantage of this texture was that it was really easy to spread a thin layer over my face and compared to some sunscreens I’ve tried in the past, especially physical sunscreens which tend to be thicker, the Light Sun Essence was quick and easy to apply.

The light “airiness” of it also made reapplication, even over makeup, easy which I think is an extremely important consideration in a good sunscreen. No sunscreen lasts forever and the ability to reapply when needed is important in ensuring proper protection through the day and this is where the Light Sun Essence really stood out for me.

The Results: Light and Airy, Moisturising and No White Cast

Many sunscreens don’t have a very appealing texture and can tend to be thick, greasy, sometimes  even sticky and chalky. That is why I really liked how airy this sunscreen felt on my skin. Not only was the lightly textured sunscreen easy to apply, it was quickly absorbed and felt comfortable as if I hadn’t put anything on my skin. 

It did not leave any hint of a white cast or change the tone of my skin like some sunscreens do which makes this suitable for people of all skin tones. And while my skin appeared to glisten for a few minutes after application, once fully absorbed, it was virtually undetectable! 

I would not rate this as the most moisturising sunscreen I’ve ever tried but then again, that’s not really what you buy a sunscreen for. Nevertheless, it was slightly moisturising and I was sufficiently pleased with it as I preferred the light and airy comfort to something that was greasier or stickier but more moisturising. 

As part of my review of this sunscreen, I also used it several times for some mid-day outdoor activities and during yoga class. Generally, I felt that the Light Sun Essence was quite sweat resistant and alright for light activities like yoga or a walk outdoors but I would not recommend it for water sports or a marathon.

The Verdict: Awesome Daily Use Sunscreen That’s Value For Money

After the Purito/Kbeauty sunscreen scandal, you would be remiss if you were not concerned about your next Kbeauty sunscreen purchase. Fortunately for me, I was actually shown an independent lab report along with the review unit I received, and can confirm that it meets the SPF labeling on its packaging. 

This is an excellent daily use, chemical sunscreen, that is suitable for all skin types. If you have dry skin, you might want to opt for something more moisturising but the Light Sun Essence would still work for you especially if you use it together with a good moisturiser. 

While my skin isn’t super oily, I imagine the light airy texture to be great for those with oily complexions as it gets fully absorbed without leaving any detectable residue over the skin that can clog pores or cause acne breakouts. Good news for those with oily and acne-prone skin.

Overall, I really rate this sunscreen quite highly and at $32 a tube, it’s affordable and, for what it is, represents really good value. I can confidently say that most people of all skin types and skin tones would enjoy using this sunscreen.