Now here’s a sunscreen that I know a lot of people have been waiting for. Kao Corporation (which, by the way, actually own Kanebo), one of Japan’s leading manufacturers on sun care products has launched a new SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen cream for everyday use. Not your typical sunscreen cream that leaves your skin greasy and heavy either — this one is super lightweight. It’s a bit like a smoother, more moisturising version of the popular Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence.

NIVEA Sun Protect Plus Skin UV Cream is a moisturising yet really lightweight cream formula that absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. I suppose, though, I wouldn’t have expected anything less from the company that have already brought me several of my most favourite sunscreens. It applies beautifully and sinks in easily — and after a minute or two, there’s nothing left at all to suggest that you’ve applied a high protection (PPD16+) sun cream to your skin. Apart from soft, moisturised skin! If you don’t have particularly dry skin, like me, then you might like to skip the moisturiser and apply this straight after serum.

This is a great option for people with drier skin who want a perfectly invisible finish, who dislike the dry, matte, silicone-y smooth feel that many milk and essence formulas can leave. It is also one of the very few skin care products, that had Mr. Ratzilla (a very fair Scandinavian with dry, sun-sensitive skin) hooked from the first use.

Date: Lots rumours floating around online that the there is expiration or production date printed on Japanese sunscreens. I’ve never seen the export versions, but domestic (Japan’s) version DO NOT have dates printed anywhere (they are completely unnecessary as most get renewed every 1 to 2 years). What is printed is the production code.

The NIVEA Sun Protect Plus Skin UV Cream SPF50+ PA++++ is US$13.70+ from eBay HERE .