Sun sticks might not be a traditional solution, but 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick combines its Hanbang roots with currently trending forms of sun care. Is this sun stick worth a try?
What's UV?
UV stands for Ultraviolet. It's nothing but the selected range of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. UV rays are invisible to humans, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Each type of UV—UVA, UVB, and UVC—has different wavelengths and properties.
UVA, UVB and UVC - what do each of them do, and where can you meet them?
I'm sure you know about UVA and UVB, but UVC or the difference between UVA2 and UVA1? Let's start from the shortest wavelengths - UVC (100nm - 280nm) exist in space and is absorbed by the ozone layer, it can kill bacteria that's why on Earth you can find it in germicidal lamps - you might ask me, but these lamps are usually visible to a human - it's because they are made in a way that makes them safe for you and other people - you shouldn't enter the room when the UV lamp is on and make people aware that the lamp is on we add other substances so the lamp has a blue/purple colour when it's on. This technology is used, for example, at labs and hospitals.
We all remember UVB (280nm –315nm) because it is said that B in UVB stands for BURN. Indeed, this UV length is responsible for sunburns, but it also helps synthesise Vitamin D - a vitamin which we all need because lack of it can lead to osteoporosis. UVB is focused on the epidermis, aka the outer layer of the skin, while UVA (315nm –400nm) can penetrate through the epidermis and dermis, so it penetrates your skin deeper. A in its name stands for Aging. The bad news is that UVA can penetrate glass, and both UVA and UVB cause lots of damage, including skin cancer and oxidative stress.
Should I wear sunscreen at home?
We already know that UVA penetrates through the glass, so do we need to use sunscreen at home? Yes, especially if you spend lots of time working near the window, then it's better to put on a layer of sunscreen in the morning and have any type of protection at home as well. But you can also use window films to reduce the risk. The choice is left to you. What I do is keep my blinds on the window during the entire morning, and when the sun is not that intense. Because my windows are situated on the Eastern side, the light usually starts to fade in the afternoon. Usually by afternoon, I already have sunscreen on, and I've reapplied a few times.
What's the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
It depends on which side we look at this topic. Mineral sunscreens are sunscreens that don't contain any carbon atoms - this automatically makes them inorganic sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens contain carbon atoms, which makes them organic substances. The main difference is that mineral sunscreen usually leaves a white cast, and it's better if we use both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for a broad spectrum of UV protection. Chemical sunscreens don't leave a white cast, and they have more sophisticated formulas. Both are amazing. In some cases, PIH (hyperpigmentation), mineral sunscreens, and natural pigments can make a good layer of protection from UV rays.
Sunscreen reapplication
The majority of brands recommend reapplying sunscreen every 2-3 hours. The reason behind this is simple - we are active, we are sweating, we wear clothes, or we touch our faces. All these things can remove a layer of sunscreen from the skin. We react differently to the same amount of UV radiation - my skin might react badly to 5 minutes of sun without protection, and my skin might need 10 more minutes. That's why, on average, we say that reapplying sunscreen every 2-3 hours is the best.
Meet the brand: 107 Beauty
Oneoseven Beauty or 107 Beauty is a K-beauty brand. According to the 107 Beauty website, the brand was created by Chloe Kwak and Seyong Shin in 2015. The main ingredient in 107 Beauty products is Vinegar. I could end on simple basics, but there are a few things we need to mention about why 107 Beauty is a brand you should check. First of all, Chloe - the co-founder of 107 is a Certified National Aesthetician in Korea. As an aesthetician myself, I know how much aestheticians aren't appreciated, but you would be surprised how much knowledge aestheticians have - from anatomy to cosmetic chemistry. The inspiration behind 107 was Chloe's own experience - eczema and hyper-sensitive skin. The co-owner of 107 - Seyong shared with Chloe a regimen based on Hanega's vinegar. This regimen, created by Seyong's mother, helped Chloe. That's the story behind 107.
Read more about: 107 Skincare Products
I have a few friends who use vinegar daily. If you're dealing with diabetes, PCOS, fatigue or even skin problems, I recommend a book called Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspé. It's not an ad, but I mention it because Jessie encourages people with diabetes and pre-diabetes to add vinegar to their routine. As a dietician myself, I know that vinegar isn't for everyone, and I would recommend talking with a specialist about whether you can use it or not.
Vinegar for the skin
Since this post is based on 107 Beauty, I want to share with you what 107 Beauty says about Vinegar, since this brand seems to know Vinegar the best. Vinegar is a traditional Asian remedy. 107 Beauty uses handcrafted Vinegar, and the formula is based on an old traditional recipe - it's a secret recipe passed down for 36 generations. It's an impressive number. 107 Beauty's Vinegar is fermented and aged for 30 years before it can be used. In 107 Beauty's skincare line, all products contain 7-year-old Vinegar, but the Soseo line is an exception. Since it's a fermented ingredient, we can expect it to work great for your microbiome and guts - yes, 107 Beauty sells Vinegar too! It's a source of amino acids, AHA and acetic acid - an antibacterial ingredient. Vinegar in 107 beauty formulas isn't normal; it's a high-quality ingredient based on natural ingredients - three different types of rice, Asian herbs and bedrock water from Ganghwa Island.
What's Hanbang?
Before we start, we need to understand what Hanbang stands for. Hanbang is a term for Traditional Korean Medicine. You can be a bit shocked since some ingredients used in Traditional Korean Medicine are similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine, but that shouldn't surprise you since there are some herbs which you can find all around the world used to cure illness. But Hanbang is not only about skincare but health in general. It's about using natural ingredients to help your body. Nowadays, if it comes to Hanbang skincare, it's usually about mixing tradition with technology, but still, it's all about antioxidants and the power of natural ingredients. Lots of luxurious brands are based on traditional herbal medicine. You have to believe that traditional medicine has a strong meaning in the culture - just look at universities in Korea, and you can find lots of programs related to traditional medicine.
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick - Packaging
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick comes in a paper box. The minimalistic design of 107 is calming, especially with this almost grey shade with a hint of mint colour. It looks natural and subtle. Inside the paper box, you can find a small plastic container. It looks elegant, and I find 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick easy to use since there's not a lot of problem getting it out.
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick - Texture & Scent
The texture of 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick is interesting. It's not super dry; it does feel like a balm that melts after you swap it on the skin. It doesn't leave any oily residue, you can't feel it on the skin and the best part - it doesn't leave any white cast! It has a delicate citrus scent, and it has sense since it contains Limonene and Linalool.
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick - SPF & PA
The full information on SPF (UVB) and PA (UVA) protection is available.
SPF 62.5±6.1
PA 18.1±3.1
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick - Ingredients
Water, Synthetic Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Vinyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Microcrystalline Wax, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-15, Dipropylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ceresin, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Betaine, Squalane, Allantoin, Ectoin, Panthenol, Fructooligosaccharides, Vinegar, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xanthophylls, Linalool, Limonene
Water hides in cosmetic products under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms, or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the product's content. Synthetic Wax is a synthetic substance that is supposed to work as natural wax. It's an emollient that prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is an oily emollient derived from coconut. Some people call this amazing emollient a "natural silicone". It leaves a silky, moisturizing film on the surface of the skin.
Dibutyl Adipate is an oily emollient. This oil-soluble ingredient dissolves in oils. It creates a hydrating film on the surface of the skin to prevent the skin from dehydration. You can see it in sunscreens as a solvent. Diisopropyl Sebacate is an emollient common in sunscreens since it helps create a nice formula. It's also common in lip products. Butyloctyl Salicylate is a solvent commonly used in sunscreens. It stabilizes some sunscreen agents and boosts SPF protection. Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate might sound scary, but it's an ingredient used as a photostabilizer, usually in formulas that contain Avobenzone. It can also work as an emollient. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate or Uvinul A Plus is a sun-protecting agent. It covers the UVA range (320-400 nm), and its peak of protection is 354 nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone or Uvinul T 150 is a sun-protecting agent. It covers the UVB range (280-320nm). Its peak is at 314 nm. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne, skin texture, and enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try to mix niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol. Microcrystalline Wax is an oily synthetic emollient.
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer is a thickener that leaves an occlusive film on the surface of the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Polysilicone-15 might sound like a normal ingredient, but the other name of this ingredient is Parsol SLX. You're right! It's a sun-protecting ingredient. It protects your skin from UVB radiation (290-320 nm), and its peak is around 310 nm. It makes a great pair with Avobenzone. It's quite common in hair care products. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent with moisturizing properties.
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine is quite a hard name to remember. That's why you can find people talking about this ingredient by calling it Tinosorb S. It's one of the newer types of sunscreen agents and one of the strongest ones. It's a chemical sunscreen that protects skin from UVA (315-400 nm) & UVB (280-315 nm), and its peak is high. It's a stable sunscreen that works with other sun-protecting substances to protect them from early photodegradation. Ceresin or Ceresin Wax is a stabilizer, but it can also be used in hair products to make hair easier to brush. Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate is a water-in-oil emulsifier.
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is water-in-oil and water in a silicone emulsifier. Sodium Chloride is nothing but a well-known salt. In skincare, sodium chloride is a thickener. We also use it as an exfoliant. Glyceryl Caprylate is a natural oily emollient and emulsifier. It creates a delicate film on the skin's surface and has some antimicrobial properties. Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant that leaves a moisturizing film on the skin's surface.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil is an essential oil with a characteristic scent. It has some relaxing and antibacterial properties, but it can irritate your skin. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the roles of adenosine in the body is that of a neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss.
Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil is a source of bisabolol and azulenes. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties and can boost the healing process. Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. Lactobacillus Ferment is a probiotic with a positive effect on the microbiome of the skin. This soothing ingredient can moderate sebum production and help with acne since it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Betaine is an amino acid. We use it in skincare products for its moisturizing properties. Betaine keeps the water balance of the skin. It makes wrinkles appear less visible, and it soothes irritated skin. In hair care, betaine not only moisturize the hair. It makes hair soft and shiny. Betaine in cosmetics usually comes from sweet beetroots. It naturally occurs in the skin and hair. Squalane is an ingredient very similar to our sebum. Squalane and squalene sound identical, but there's a difference. Squalane has no double bonds, while squalene has double bonds. What does it mean? Squalane is a more stable version of squalene. What I love about this ingredient is how well it works with all skin types, and how our skin needs it. Believe me, if your skin is irritated - go for squalane! This ingredient is usually derived from sugarcane or olives. It acts like an emollient, and you need it in your life.
Allantoin is an ingredient that naturally occurs in our bodies, but brands usually use the synthetic form of this substance. It comes from comfrey or soybean roots and is a humectant with soothing and wound-healing properties. Ectoin is a product of the fermentation process - it comes from microorganisms, and it's an amino acid with antioxidant properties. Ectoin prevents your skin from oxidative stress created by UV radiation or blue light. It has moisturizing properties.
Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth, go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Fructooligosaccharides are prebiotics. They nourish the skin and help the microbiome.
Vinegar is an ingredient that reminds me more of culinary use or even diet than skincare, but some people use vinegar in their hair care. It's a source of acetic acid. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps penetrate active ingredients, protects products from drying, and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and strengthen hair. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative. It protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin and has no unpleasant effects on the epidermis.
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract is an antioxidant - it fights free radicals and fixes the damage. Green tea is a source of many positive substances for the skin, such as catechins (EGCG, EGC, EC, CG), flavonoids, amino acids, vitamin C, and minerals. It works for all skin types. Since it has antibacterial properties, many products for young, acne-prone skin contain this ingredient. It has soothing properties, and it's good to use it along with sunscreen to boost the protection of your skin.
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract is one of the ingredients from the Artemisia family. Artemisia Princeps is also known as Japanese mugwort, first wormwood or Yomogi. Mugwort is still a trendy ingredient in K-beauty. Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract is an anti-inflammatory ingredient and a source of phellandrenes. Sodium Hyaluronate or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. It's a form of hyaluronic acid and naturally occurs in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate has strong water-binding properties. Sodium hyaluronate combined with elastin and collagen is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but sodium hyaluronate prevents skincare products from drying.
Bifida Ferment Lysate is a probiotic and a product of the fermentation process. Bifida Ferment Lysate strengthens the skin and its natural microbiome. Bifida ferment lysate can make sensitive skin secure and less susceptible to the negative influence of external factors. This ingredient can help fix the damage caused by UV radiation or fix damaged DNA. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a low-weight humectant. We have to remember that not every molecule can get through the skin surface, and lower molecular HA can penetrate the skin deeper and bring moisture inside the skin. It's a natural polymer that binds water in the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss).
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is related to sodium hyaluronate. It boosts moisture in the skin and elasticity. It helps prevent skin from TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Xanthophylls are antioxidants derived from algae. They fight with free radicals. Linalool gives a floral scent to products. It can irritate the skin. Limonene is a scent ingredient, and it makes the product smell like lemon or orange. Limonene can enhance the penetration of other substances, but at the same time, it can irritate the skin.
How does 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick work?
It's not my first meeting with 107 Beauty, and so far, every experience with this brand has been good. Believe me, you can see on Kherblog that I went through many products from this brand, and even if the soseo line is my favourite, the basic line has some goodies too. It wasn't different this time. I feel like I found an ideal sun stick.
Read more about: 107 Soseo VINBIOME Vitamin C Serum
Let's start with some basics. It's a reef-safe formula. 107 added to this solution a Mugwort-Complex, which is a combination of mugwort and fermented vinegar. If you're new to 107, vinegar is the main ingredient behind 107 formulas. This time, the fermented version is a star. The truth is that 107 has patented VinM3-Biotic™ Mugwort. It has a calming solution.
It's a creamy formula in a stick. It feels moisturizing on the skin, and it's easy to apply since it glides super easily. It has a delicate citrus scent, but it works for me. I got combo skin and somehow I love it! It's rich in antioxidants, including green tea and ectoin. It's an elegant formula in minimalistic packaging. I keep it in my bag because it's so useful.
I always test sunscreens on my hands, and this one left white marks on my black clothes, so if you plan to have goth summer, this one is approved! According to the brand, this sunscreen is suitable for all skin types.
I can't complain about anything in this sunscreen because it's a sunscreen I enjoy using, and so far it's probably the best-performing sun stick I've ever tried.
Where to buy 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick, and how does it work?
107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick is available at BemusedKorea. It costs $24/18g.
Overall, 107 Moisture Balm Mild Sunstick is one of the best sunscreens I've tried so far.
Have you already tried this brand?
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