Benton is one of the classic Korean skincare brands, and I’ve been using it since 2014. I love that they’re named after the Benjamin Button film (in which Brad Pitt ages backwards, from elderly to baby). Maybe I will turn into a baby if I use enough of this? I’m already there with the sleepless nights and random screaming.
Benton products are produced in small batches with fresh ingredients and minimal preservatives. They’re also cruelty-free.
This product is Benton’s first ever sunscreen – Papaya-D Sun Cream. The company released a small number of these via their Instagram to reviewers. You can imagine the excited vapours it has given me to get advance trial of a new Korean skincare product. I’ve had to go and have a lie down in a darkened room to calm down.
But not too much, as this is a sun cream, the sun is shining and so we must ~ugh~ go outdoors.
I’m with Richmond from The IT Crowd when it comes to sunshine. I know it exists, but that doesn’t make it any less terrifying. I’m an Irish person, we don’t do tanning. We’re milk bottles with freckles and we like it like that.
Papaya-D Sun Cream is a physical and chemical sunscreen, offering both UVA and UVB protection with SPF 38. The D stands for Daily use, and the Papaya means that it…er…contains papaya. Of course! It has a light creamy texture and a lemony citrus scent.
Once it’s sunk into the skin it doesn’t leave a white cast, though you do need to leave it to sink in for a few minutes before applying make up. It’s very moisturizing too – you could probably skip your usual moisturiser if you’re using this.
Added niacinamide and adenosine bring skincare benefits, aiming to brighten and smooth the skin.The papaya extract is in the form of both papaya fruit water and papaya seed oil to moisturise and nourish.
As a sun screen it definitely works. I ended up being out in the sun for longer than expected at the weekend. I’d applied this sun cream to my face and backs of hands, and they’re all fine, but my arms are burned a patchy red. I look like a stick of rock that’s gone badly wrong. See, I told you wearing a black jumper all year round was a good life choice. Go outdoors in a T shirt and you’re asking for trouble.
Although I like Benton’s new sunscreen a lot, it won’t totally replace Biore Watery Essence for me for day to day use. But I know that some people find the Biore product too drying, so if you need a more moisturizing daily sun screen then this would be great for you. It’s a good all rounder for all the family, or as we say in my house “Would you like some of my Korean sun screen? I promise it doesn’t contain snails”.
Product details
Benton Papaya-D Sun Cream (50g – RRP $20 – around £15) isn’t available on many Korean beauty websites yet, as it has only just launched. Right now you can get it on W2 Beauty here and I would expect to see it on more sites over the coming months.
*PR sample
Check out my full list of the best facial sunscreens here