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Kao Curel Intensive Moisture Care UV Protection Essence SPF 30 PA++
Kao

Curel Intensive Moisture Care UV Protection Essence SPF 30 PA++

SPF 30 · PA++ Tone-up Brightening veil from mineral & tone-up formulas; evens out your skin tone. Japan jp-domestic Formulation variant: jp-domestic. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Curel quasi-drug essence: dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, mineral filters, no alcohol/fragrance; lightweight but possible mineral cast.

MIN Mineral filters Mineral filters — Physical filters (ZnO, TiO2) sit on top and reflect UV. Reef-safer and super gentle. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance — lower irritation risk if your skin's reactive. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
Where to buy it
YesStyle US In stock
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68.1
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #966 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Curel quasi-drug essence: dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, mineral filters, no alcohol/fragrance; lightweight but possible mineral cast.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
01 The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 52
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 80
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 72
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 62
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 68
02 Composition · key UV filters 1 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Titanium Dioxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Mineral
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
No
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Essence
Finish How it looks once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Yes
Verdict Is it worth it?

A Curel quasi-drug essence centered on dipotassium glycyrrhizate with a titanium dioxide system, alcohol-free and fragrance-free. Light on the skin, but SPF 30 PA++ caps it as a low-exposure daily option.

Pros
  • Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is an established soothing active
  • Alcohol-free and fragrance-free formula
  • Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide reinforces the barrier
  • Hinoki and eucalyptus extracts add light botanical comfort
  • Xylitol and betaine contribute humectant feel
Cons
  • SPF 30 PA++ is modest for outdoor or summer use
  • TiO2-only filter system can chalk on deeper tones
  • Polymer load may pill under layered makeup
  • No iron oxide tint to mask the mineral cast

Who it's for: Reactive or eczema-prone skin seeking a calming mineral essence for indoor and brief outdoor days, willing to swap up for stronger UV needs.

04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 35 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 0 MINERAL FILTER 1 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 1 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
02 Water Water
03 Titanium Dioxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
04 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
05 Hydrogenated Polyisobutene Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
06 Isononyl Isononanoate Isononyl Isononanoate
08 Isotridecyl Isononanoate Isotridecyl Isononanoate
09 Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
10 Dipropylene Glycol Dipropylene Glycol
11 Triethylhexanoin Triethylhexanoin
12 Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
13 Trisiloxane Trisiloxane
14 Polysorbate 60 Polysorbate 60
15 Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
16 Cetyl-pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
17 Aluminum Hydroxide Aluminum Hydroxide
18 Stearic Acid Stearic Acid
19 Dextrin Palmitate Dextrin Palmitate
20 Dipentaerythrityl Tri-polyhydroxystearate Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
21 Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
22 Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
23 Potassium Hydroxide Potassium Hydroxide
24 Sorbitan Distearate Sorbitan Distearate
25 Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol
26 Acrylates Copolymer Acrylates Copolymer
27 Stearyl Alcohol Stearyl Alcohol
28 Aminomethyl Propanediol Aminomethyl Propanediol
29 Xylitol Xylitol
30 Betaine Betaine
31 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
33 Edta EDTA
34 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
35 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol