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Koh Gen Do Watery UV Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
Koh Gen Do

Watery UV Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

SPF 50+ · 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.

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 top and reflect UV. Reef-safer and super gentle. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB — covers the whole sun-damage spectrum. 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 Cosme.com JP
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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.
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. 99
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 80
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 75
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. 68
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 82
02 Composition · key UV filters 2 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Zinc Oxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
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.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
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?

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.

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 2026. Show in detail
01 Water Water
02 Zinc Oxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
03 Ethylhexyl Palmitate Ethylhexyl Palmitate
04 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
05 Titanium Dioxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
06 Hydrated Silica Hydrated Silica
07 Cyclopentasiloxane Cyclopentasiloxane
08 Hydrogen Dimethicone Hydrogen Dimethicone
09 Onsen-sui Hot Spring Water
10 Betula Alba Juice Birch Juice
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.
14 Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract Perilla Leaf Extract
15 Artemisia Vulgaris Leaf Extract Mugwort Leaf Extract
17 Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract Sunflower Sprout Extract
18 Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract Tara Fruit Extract
19 spaghetti mushroom extract Pending review
20 Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract Japanese Angelica Root Extract
22 Polygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract Japanese Indigo Leaf/Stem Extract
23 Ceramide Np ACTIVE Skin-barrier lipid.
24 Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
25 Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
26 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
27 Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract Licorice Leaf Extract
29 Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
30 Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
31 Talc Talc
32 Silica Silica
33 Alumina Alumina
34 Isotridecyl Isononanoate Isotridecyl Isononanoate
35 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
36 Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
37 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
38 Hydroxyethylcellulose Hydroxyethylcellulose
39 Aluminum Hydroxide Aluminum Hydroxide
40 T-butyl Alcohol t-Butyl Alcohol
41 Biosaccharide Gum-1 Biosaccharide Gum-1
42 Stearic Acid Stearic Acid
43 Glycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
44 Pentylene Glycol Pentylene Glycol
45 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
46 Propylene Glycol Propylene Glycol
47 Sodium Benzoate Sodium Benzoate
48 Methicone Methicone
49 Dimethicone Dimethicone
50 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol