KO
Koh Gen Do
Watery UV Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
SPF 50+ · PA++++ Tone-up Brightening veil from mineral & tone-up formulas; evens skin tone. JP Japan jp-domestic Formulation variant: jp-domestic. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.
Mineral-only (ZnO + TiO2), fragrance-free, ceramide and botanical-rich. Mineral load may cast/feel heavy but gentle and health-safe.
△ MIN Mineral filters Mineral filters — Physical filters (ZnO, TiO2) sit on skin and reflect UV. Reef-safer; very gentle. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
84.8
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #171 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Mineral-only (ZnO + TiO2), fragrance-free, ceramide and botanical-rich. Mineral load may cast/feel heavy but gentle and health-safe.
Verdict Should you buy it?
Mineral-only gel built on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, fragrance-free, with ceramide NP, hot-spring water, and a broad botanical blend. The dual-mineral load can feel heavier than a chemical gel, but the formulation is gentle and broadly low-risk.
Pros
- Fragrance-free, alcohol-free mineral SPF
- Ceramide NP for barrier support
- Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and aloe to soothe
- Zinc plus titanium covers the full UV range
- Botanical and onsen-water blend for hydration
Cons
- Lavender, rosemary, and sage extracts may flag for sensitive users
- Dual-mineral load can feel heavy or cast on deeper skin tones
- Talc and aluminum starch may not suit buyers avoiding them
Who it's for: Sensitive skin wanting a fragrance-free Japanese mineral gel with skincare actives, willing to tolerate a slightly heavier mineral feel.
01 Score breakdown
02 Composition · key UV filters 2 filters resolved
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Mineral
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
Finish How the formula looks on skin 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' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 50 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 0 MINERAL FILTER 2 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 3 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 2
Water· Zinc Oxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. ·Ethylhexyl Palmitate·Butylene Glycol· Titanium Dioxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. ·Hydrated Silica·Cyclopentasiloxane·Hydrogen Dimethicone·Onsen-sui·Betula Alba Juice· Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. · Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. · Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. ·Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract·Artemisia Vulgaris Leaf Extract·Zingiber Officinale Root Extract·Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract·Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract·spaghetti mushroom extract (pending review)·Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract·Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract·Polygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract· Ceramide Np Skin-barrier lipid. ·Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein·Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate·Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract·Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract·Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide·Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer·Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate·Talc·Silica·Alumina·Isotridecyl Isononanoate·Polyhydroxystearic Acid·Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer·Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether·Hydroxyethylcellulose·Aluminum Hydroxide·T-butyl Alcohol·Biosaccharide Gum-1·Stearic Acid· Glycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Pentylene Glycol·Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer·Propylene Glycol·Sodium Benzoate·Methicone·Dimethicone·Phenoxyethanol
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
11 Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
12 Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
13 Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
19 spaghetti mushroom extract Pending review