Sunscreens come in different shapes and types, but Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is one of the most unique products released in 2025. It's a smooth and dewy formula with a delicate tint, closed in pink packaging that looks a bit like a flower. Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum can be used instead of makeup. Should you grab this one?
What's UV?
UV stands for Ultraviolet. It's simply the selected range of frequencies within 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're familiar with UVA and UVB, but what about UVC, or the distinction 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. Hence, the lamp has a blue/purple colour when it's on. This technology is used, for example, in 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, a few times reapplied.
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.
What's the difference between regular sunscreen and toning sunscreen?
Regular sunscreens might leave a white cast if they are based on mineral sunscreen agents like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in the non-nano version. Nanoparticles are usually better if you don't want to have a white layer on the skin. The situation is different when it comes to chemical sunscreens; they usually don't leave a white cast, but Tinosorbs might leave a delicate film that makes your skin look more grey if you have warm-toned skin. Tone-up sunscreens are a mix of sunscreen and correcting primers, they have a delicate colour base that helps you neutralize shades that aren't welcome on your skin. We use tone-up products according to the colour wheel. Two years ago, I made a post about colour-correcting for Picky.
Read more: Nivea UV Deep Protect & Care Tone-up Essence
Colour correcting can be used for makeup and hair care. Purple shampoos used by blondes are also based on colour theory - we use purple tones to neutralize yellow tones. Same with makeup, purple neutralizes yellow and usually purple or lilac tones are used for skin brightening. Green colour used by, for example, Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment is a good choice if you have acne or redness on the skin and you want to balance it. Pink tones should cancel some green and blue tones - this combo might be great for people with visible veins on the skin. I mostly go for purple or green if it comes to sunscreens, if it comes to makeup - after some treatments, you might want to use yellow colour correction to make bruises less visible.
Read more: Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
Some tone-up sunscreens, just like Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum, have a pigment like regular BB or CC cream, they can be a substitute for makeup.
Meet the brand: Mamonde
Mamonde is a South Korean skincare brand from the same family as Laneige, Sulwhasoo, IOPE, Innisfree and Etude House. To make it simple, AmorePacific is the mother company of Mamonde. The name of the brand has a hidden meaning. Part 'ma' means my, while 'monde' stands for the world. Since 1991, Mamonde has made products inspired by petals. A few years ago, Mamonde's Instagram and website were full of floral photos, which for me are a huge inspiration. Something I love about Korean brands is how well they can design the interior of their shops. Mamonde didn't disappoint me. The shop aesthetic is as important as branding. Both were related to flowers. In 2023, Mamonde went through a rebranding. The brand currently follows trends, and I feel like the main targets of this brand are Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Previously, Park Shin Hye, a South Korean actress known from dramas such as Doctors, The Heirs or Memories Of The Alhambra, was an ambassador of Mamonde. Winter from the K-pop girl group Aespa is a current muse of the brand.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum - Packaging
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum has a unique packaging. It comes in a paper box, but inside you can see this unique shape that can remind you of + sign or a four-petal flower. You have to open one of the petals to get the product from the inside. It's quite easy to apply it. Sadly, I have no idea what getting the last amount of the product will look like since I'm still in the middle of using this sunscreen.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum - Texture & Scent
If you expect a pink or purple cream, I'm going to disappoint you. Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum has Rose Ivory shade, which makes it a product that can't be used by a big part of customers. To be honest, I really wish I could see how this shade looks on a bit darker complexion than mine, because I'm so pale that my last visit to the hospital ended up with a blood test. After all, I'm too pale for local standards, but Korean makeup? Give me the palest and coolest shade, it will fit for sure. Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum works on me very well. The texture is glowy and dewy, but I also find it a bit sticky. It's not the matte formula you expect from sunscreens. It leaves a layer of pigment that feels creamy on the skin - it doesn't easily dry, so you might be a bit too dewy - just get used to that. I find this product to be more fitting for the Korean or Asian market than the Western market.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum - SPF & PA
According to data released by Mamonde and Amore Pacific, this sunscreen has SPF 52.7 and PA +++ (PA 9.2).
Is Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum vegan-friendly?
Yes, Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is vegan-friendly. It contains no animal ingredients, and it is officially certified by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum - Ingredients
Water, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Fragrance, Alumina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Diisostearyl Malate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Iron Oxide Yellow, Propanediol, Simethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Citronellol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Adenosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxide Red, Geraniol, Silica, Xylitol, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (100 ppm), Eugenol, Citral, Tin Oxide, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract (20 ppm), Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water is often hidden 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 products needs to meet certain standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms, or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the product's content. Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen agent. It protects your skin from UVB and UVA II radiation and might cover some lower waves in the UVA I spectrum. It has a typical white colour visible on the skin, unless it's a nano version, then this white tint might not be visible at all. This ingredient has a second task - it works as a pigment. Titanium Dioxide works perfectly for skin that needs visible protection, like skin with melasma, nice that the white pigment works as a barrier or protective film on the skin. It has one additional task, it makes products stay fresh a bit longer.
Methyl Trimethicone is a volatile silicone, a type of silicone that evaporates right after product application. It works as a solvent in the products. 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. Ethylhexyl Salicylate or Octisalate is a sun-protecting agent. It's a chemical sunscreen that protects the skin from UVB radiation (280-320nm), but it has its peak at 306nm, which makes it a weak sunscreen.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a solvent commonly used in sunscreens. It stabilizes some sunscreen agents and boosts SPF protection. Phenyl Trimethicone is silicone and an emollient. It improves the texture of the product and makes it easier to spread on the skin. Phenyl Trimethicone leaves a delicate film on the skin to prevent your skin from TEWL. It's easy to remove it with cleansing products. This ingredient is useful in haircare products since it makes it easier to maintain your hair. In sunscreen, it makes products more resistant to water (it makes sunscreen more waterproof). Diisopropyl Sebacate is an emollient common in sunscreens since it helps create a nice formula; it's also common in lip products. Diphenyl Dimethicone is an emulsifier.
Trimethylsiloxysilicate is a silicone and polymer, it works as an occlusive and dry emollient. It prevents skin from TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and makes products easier to spread. Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is water-in-oil and water in a silicone emulsifier. Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Depending on the product, its origin can be natural or synthetic. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss), which naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs and a natural moisturizing factor. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it—just the opposite—it protects your skin from irritation. Dimethicone is a silicone and polymer.
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. Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate is a water-in-oil emulsifier. 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.
Alcohol Denat is an immense topic in skincare. Alcohol can be good or bad for your skin, but sometimes the amount makes it poisonous. Alcohol, after all, is a prominent solvent. It makes active substances penetrate the skin deeper. This effect has its cost - the skin is getting a bit irritated. Some substances can be dissolved only in alcohol. This ingredient has antibacterial properties. It works as a preservative by preventing microorganisms from growing in the product. It has some awful sides too - it can dry your skin, especially if you use it in large amounts. Sensitive skin is not a fan of this ingredient. Fragrance (Parfum) is a composition of scents. It can cause allergic reactions. Alumina or Aluminum Oxide absorbs sebum and prevents your makeup from caking. It's also a thickener.
Disteardimonium Hectorite is a thickener related to hectorite clay. It's a thickener. It gives your skin a sheer look, and in sunscreen formulas, it makes your UV protection even better. Sodium Chloride is nothing but a well-known salt. In skincare, sodium chloride is a thickener. We also use it as an exfoliant. Aluminum Hydroxide or CI 77002 is a white pigment and emollient. It's used in antiperspirants since it absorbs sweat and sebum. It's also a coating ingredient for UV-protecting ingredients. Polymethyl Methacrylate creates a film to make skin appear flawless without wrinkles or uneven texture. This effect won't stay forever, and that's why we use it in products like foundation or primers.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that works as an emollient and emulsifier. Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a dispersing agent for mineral sunscreens and pigments. It makes the white cast less visible. It can work as a thickener. Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient, soluble in oils. 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). Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant that leaves a moisturizing film on the skin's surface.
Lecithin is an emollient and oil-in-water emulsifier, but it has other uses in skin care - you can use it to encapsulate active ingredients in liposomes. Encapsulation of active ingredients makes it easier to deliver them to the deeper layers of your skin. It boosts your lipid barrier and makes it stronger. Iron Oxide Yellow (CI 77492) is a yellow pigment. Propanediol, also known as natural glycol, is an alternative to propylene glycol. It is a solvent with additional moisturizing properties, making the product smooth. It can even improve the effectiveness of active ingredients. Simethicone is an emollient with anti-foaming properties. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Glyceryl Caprylate is a natural, oily emollient and emulsifier. It creates a delicate film on the surface of the skin. It has some antimicrobial properties.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is an oily emollient that provides a satin-like film on the skin. It makes brushing your hair easier. Isostearic Acid is a surfactant and emulsifier. Isopropyl Myristate is a dry emollient. This ingredient makes your skin soft or even velvety in touch, and it helps keep moisture inside the skin by creating a delicate film on the surface of the skin. It makes the product less sticky, and in hair care products, it adds shine to hair. Not every skin might like it, it can be comedogenic. Citronellol is a scent ingredient. It adds a rose/floral scent to the product. It can be sensitizing.
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a water-in-oil emulsifier. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the roles of adenosine in our bodies 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. Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to coat sunscreens and pigments. It makes the product easier to spread. Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491) is a matte, red pigment.
Geraniol makes products smell like geranium. It can be sensitizing. Silica is a mineral, a natural ingredient. It's popular in makeup and skincare. It can absorb sebum or thicken the texture. Xylitol is a sugar with humectant properties. Arginine is an amino acid. It helps with protein biosynthesis in adults. According to research from 1964, a lack of arginine might raise your chances of getting an HSV infection. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (100 ppm) or HVP is a protein obtained from corn, soy, rice or wheat. It's a moisturizing ingredient that creates a film on the surface of the skin. It has antistatic properties, which make it an ideal ingredient for your hair. Eugenol is a scent ingredient, it can be sensitizing.
Citral gives products a lemon scent. It can be sensitizing for the skin. Tin Oxide is a pearly pigment. It has some sun-protecting properties. Rosa Damascena Flower Extract (20 ppm) is an extract derived from the damask rose. It masks the scent, but this ingredient is also used to treat wrinkles and dull skin. This ingredient can be sensitizing. 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.
Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient loved by everyone! Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin. It's a glycosaminoglycan or GAG. What does that mean? It's a long polysaccharide - nothing but sugar, and we all know what sugars do in the skin. It's not different from Hyaluronic Acid - it acts like a humectant. One HA molecule is supposed to hold up to 1000x heavier molecules than this single HA molecule. Hyaluronic acid can have different molecular weights - smaller molecules are usually more hydrating than bigger ones. 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.
Propylene Glycol is a humectant and solvent. It creates a delicate film on the surface of the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). 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 weight 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 Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is related to sodium hyaluronate. It's a good moisturizer. 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).
How does Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum work?
Let's start with the fact that Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is a unique product. Not only because of the design, but I barely ever see tinted sunscreens. Tone-up sunscreens are way more popular because with tinted sunscreens, you never know if you can find a perfect match. That was one of the reasons I avoided tinted sunscreens since the only ones available in Europe are usually orange.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is a 2025 sunscreen with Rose Ivory tint. It's quite a pale and cool shade. It's supposed to have a natural tone and dewy glow finish. It's a combination of sunscreen and makeup, so partially I feel like we can't talk about this product like a typical sunscreen, but I don't consider it to be makeup either. It's a functional product, it protects the skin from UV, and it has anti-wrinkle and brightening properties. 70% of this product is a moisturizing essence, so it's nothing but skincare in 70% then the rest is probably makeup.
If you're not sure if we can consider Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum a sunscreen or makeup. It has SPF 50+, but if you search for high UVA protection, then the bad news is that UVA protection equals PA+++, so protection is around 8-16 PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening).
According to the brand, it's supposed to have a watery texture that's easy to blend and not get cakey. My experience with Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum? It is a watery texture; it takes a bit to blend, but it does look good on skin. It leaves this dewy glow that lots of people want to see on the skin. The main problem for Western users and users from Southern Asia might be shade. If you have ever noticed that brands like Laneige (Mamonde's sister brand) have a different choice of cushion shades in countries like Malaysia or the Philippines. Even in the US, some brands have a bigger shade choice than in Korea. In this case, if you have a darker skin tone, you might not find the Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum a match for your skin. It can also neutralize yellow tones to make your skin look more even.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is not only a cool design and tint. The key to this product is Hyper Flora™, which is a solution based on flower-derived ingredients. It's a core for Mamonde's DNA since the brand has worked for over 32 years researching flowers. What I understand is that this solution combines rose peptides and 8 different versions of hyaluronic acid, from high to super low molecules. It seems that these ingredients are encapsulated.
The product itself seems to be a great concept, but the reality? The reality gave me mixed feelings. I have to admit that I got it after I saw girls on Rednote raving about it. I'm not surprised because for pale people like me, it's probably one of the few tinted sunscreens that may match lighter skin tones. For me, the match is perfect, even if I need a while to blend it well. The dewy glow finish? It exists, but the problem is in texture and scent. If you like roses, then you might enjoy this scent. Mamonde is a brand that's fully focused on flowers, so it shouldn't be a surprise when I say that this one is heavily perfumed. There are some days when this scent is too harsh for me.
The other problem is that the dewy glow has its bad side - it just feels sticky. I have to put setting powder on because every time I touch my skin, the tint is going to transfer. I'm not sure if maybe it's a fault of my moisturizer or if that's normal, but I find it annoying. The good thing? If you use a cushion on top of this, then it lasts longer. Even if I don't like how sticky Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is, I have to admit - I'm still using it! I just like to put it on when I don't have time for makeup, and just go out. It saves so much time. Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum might not be the perfect tinted sunscreen, but it's not the worst. It all depends on what your priority is. Also, the bottle is only 35 ml.
Where to buy Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum and how much does it cost?
I bought Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum* at Olive Young in a set - Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum (35 ml) + Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Liquid Mask (15 ml). The regular price for this set is $29, but sometimes you can get it for a cheaper price. If you shop at Olive Young, feel free to use my affiliate code BETWEEND0 to save some additional % on your order.
YesStyle is more affordable, but you might wait way longer for the Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum*. It costs $20.15/35 ml. You can use my referral code BETWEENDOTS to save on your order.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum is also available at AmoreMall Global - it's the official AmorePacific store with (almost) every brand released by the company. Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum costs $20/35ml. Sadly, there's no additional code I can share with you, but you can use my referral link* to get 10% off on your order.
Is Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Tinted Sun Serum a good sunscreen? If you're not focused that much on UVA protection, then it might work well, but for me, it's more like a 2-in-1 product, which I might use if I don't want to waste time on makeup. It has its good and bad sides, but it's a product that lighter skin tones might find more suitable than a big part of tinted sunscreens.
Have you ever tried Mamonde before? What's your favourite tinted sunscreen?
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