- Release Date
- 2016.2.13 Repackaged in 2017.
- Size
- 80g
- Brand
- SKIN AQUA
- Producer
- ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co.
- Product Type
- Sunscreen
- Price
- ¥800
- SPF・PA
- SPF50+·PA++++
- UV Filter(s)
- Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.
The product has been discontinued as of October 2019.
SKIN AQUA SaraFit UV Sara-sara Essence is a sweat-friendly Japanese sunscreen gel for everyday wear.
The sunscreen is renewed and upgraded to have better UV protection yet feel even more like bare skin than its previous formula released in 2015. It uses a patent-pending micro-encapsulation technology that boosts UV protection without penetrating into the skin while giving it a lightweight texture. A blend of 2 types of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and amino acid deeply hydrates the skin and protects against moisture loss. Its fast-drying, water-gel formula with “Dry Keep Powder” stays put and feels silky smooth even when applied (and reapplied) over hot, sweaty skin.
Non-sticky, water-light, looks invisible. The unscented water-gel protects the skin against UV damages while leaving the skin feeling silky smooth like natural bare skin. Best suited for daily use in the summer.
- For face and body.
- Resistant to water, sweat and sebum (80 minutes).
- Can be used as a makeup base.
- Removable with a face wash.
Ingredient(s): Collagen Fragrance-Free Hyaluronic Acid Tinosorb S Uvinul A Plus
Skin Type(s): Combination Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin
Beauty Concern(s): Oily Shine
UV Protection: Everyday Wear PA++++
Water,, alcohol,, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate,, butylene glycol,, diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone,, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate,, sodium hyaluronate,, sodium acetylated hyaluronate,, hydrolyzed collagen,, arginine,, bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane,, ratzillacosme.com do.not.copy,, glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer,, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine,, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer,, PEG-12 dimethicone,, polyglyceryl-10 pentaisostearate,, triethanolamine,, polystyrene,, polyvinyl alcohol,, disodium EDTA,, xanthan gum,, methylparaben.
「スキンアクアサラフィットUV さらさらエッセンス 無香料」の全成分:水、エタノール、メトキシケイヒ酸エチルヘキシル、BG、ジフェニルシロキシフェニルトリメチコン、ジエチルアミノヒドロキシベンゾイル安息香酸ヘキシル、ヒアルロン酸Na、アセチルヒアルロン酸Na、加水分解コラーゲン、アルギニン、ビスPEG-18メチルエーテルジメチルシラン、ジメタクリル酸グリコールクロスポリマー、ビスエチルヘキシルオキシフェノールメトキシフェニルトリアジン、(アクリレーツ／アクリル酸アルキル(C10-30))クロスポリマー、PEG-12ジメチコン、ペンタイソステアリン酸ポリグリセリル-10、TEA、ポリスチレン、ポリビニルアルコール、EDTA-2Na、キサンタンガム、メチルパラベン
![SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence (2019 Formula) [DISCONTINUED]](https://www.ratzillacosme.com/wp-content/uploads/SKIN-AQUA-Tone-Up-UV-Essence-2019-version-150x150.jpg "SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence (2019 Formula) [DISCONTINUED]")
![SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence Mint Green [DISCONTINUED]](https://www.ratzillacosme.com/wp-content/uploads/SKIN-AQUA-Tone-Up-UV-Essence-Mint-Green-150x150.jpg "SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence Mint Green [DISCONTINUED]")
Hi Ratzilla, I’ve been using the site for many years but this is my first time commenting. Thank you for all the time you spend compiling this wonderful resource! It has been such a big help.
Since the Sarafit has been discontinued for a while now, have you come across something that is very similar, and would make a close substitute? It was my favorite sunscreen and I quite miss it. I currently use the Super Moisture Gel but it’s much greasier on me than this was.
Hi Ratzilla, are there any suitable substitutes that you could suggest now that this has been discontinued? I am hoping to find a brand that isn’t sold in-store in Mainland China (if it does but doesn’t animal test in general, that’s okay too), is another essence of similar feel/staying power, doesn’t have physical filters, doesn’t have a silicone based feel, and is at a similar price point or lower. Thank you!
I can’t seem to find this sunscreen anymore, has it been discontinued?
Unfortunately, yes. The entire SaraFit line has been discontinued.
This is so sad, it’s my favourite sunscreen. I wonder why they discontinued it thought, it’s a very competitive product for this price.
Hello I bought the 2016 version, multiples of them. Are they still okay to use?
You mean the 2016’s packaging? If so, they’d be very closed to expire since the standard shelf life is 3 years.
Oh okay
oh so I better use them up quickly then! Why is Dokodemo selling nearly expired sunscreens? Thats where I got them from
Are you sure you have 2016’s packaging? The most recent packaging and the original look near identical.
Yes because the ones I bought had the “NEW” in the corner 🙁 Guess I will have to use these up quickly, it feels normal and spreads very well .. that packaging was made in February 2016 so I have until February 13th as that was the exact date of that packaging hmm
Product production is continuous not a one-time deal, so it could have been manufactured anytime in that year before the replacement took its place.
Dokodemo is like just eBay and Rakuten. Your experience will completely depend on which seller you’ve purchased from.
Oh so it could be okay to use for a few months still. It looks okay and smells fine, but knowing this I may throw them away now 🙁
I contacted Dokodemo and they said “all products sent from DOKODEMO sellers are well within the expiry date.” So should I keep the two sarafits I have?
It sounds like a standard stock answer to me. What is considered to be “well within the expiration date” would depends on who you ask. Assuming yours was produced Dec 2016, they would expire Dec 2019….. so still very usable, but far from fresh.
Regardless of all that, the seller sent you old stock since the sunscreen hasn’t been “New” since 2017.
They also said “All products are accepted within 2 years of the expiration date”.
Standard shelf life is 3 years from the manufactured date for unopened product unless stated otherwise.
It doesn’t matter what the seller or Dokodemo’s own CS says, the sunscreen you received was produced back in 2016 if it has “NEW” printed.
True. It could be good until December for all I know but I think i’l throw them away just in case and use my Biore watery gel 🙂
And I have the latest biore watery gel 🙂
Can you show the picture of 2018 version?
There isn’t one.
Just started using this a few days ago, and it’s my favorite Japanese sunscreen I’ve tried so far! However, I was wondering since it sort of feels moisturizing, whether it actually is and can be used without a moisturizer underneath despite the alcohol, or if you would recommend that one wear moisturizer with all alcohol-based sunscreens. Thank you!
It’s up to you, really. Whether a sunscreen contains alcohol or not personally doesn’t influence whether I use a moisturiser underneath or not.
Thank you! So you don’t find that these alcohol-based sunscreens are drying to the skin by themselves?
I personally have never found products that are high in alcohol inherently drying. In fact, some of the most drying sunscreens I’ve tried are alcohol-free!
Hi Ratzilla! How does this compare to Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Essence?
just a few questions:
1) What is the finish on this one? And does it give that uncomfortable feeling of something sitting on your face like many silicone heavy products do?
2) Is it available in store in mainland China?
Thank you.
Hello. I’ve been following this page for a long time as this has been my daily use sunscreen for quite some time. I noticed that you’ve added “Resistant to water” in the product description, which was not there previously – could you explain the addition?
The original (2016) version had no mention of it being water or sweat-resistant. The 2017 version, however, does — right on the large sticker on the centre front. That being said, ingredients (on the website and printed on the bottle itself) are still completely identical. I updated the listing to go with the most current info provided.
This is sunscreen formulated for everyday wear only, so personally, I feel it makes little difference either way.
Is this vegan + cruelty free?
Pesonally I feel no there’s such thing as a truly “cruelty-free” sunscreen as every single ingredient has been tested on animals at some point (even if the finished product didn’t).
Incidental sun exposure is the kind of exposure you get on cloudy days, sitting near a window while indoor, short distance walk to-and-from your car/bus/train — essentially, you’re spending most of your daytime inside.
Hello! What is the UVA ingredient in Skin Aqua Sarafit UV? Does it contain Tinsorb or Mexoryl? Those are the only two very strong UV ingredients I’ve read about. Does it prevent tanning? Is it as effective as La Roche Posay that contains mexoryl? Thanks so much!
See above for complete ingredients.
Thanks. I just looked at ingredients but I’m not sure if they are European versions. For example, mexoryl in English is called Ecamsule in Europe. So I’m assuming it doesn’t contain it. I don’t know what the European term for Tinsorb is. I want to know what the active UVA ingredient is. My skin is very sun sensitive and I want to be sure I won’t tan with this.
Mexoryl, Ecamsule, and Tinosorb are all simply trade names — they’re not what the ingredients are actually called. L’Oreal own the patent to Mexoryl/Ecamsule so you won’t find any product that contains them outside of L’Oreal and its brands.
This sunscreen is formulated for everyday wear only — you shouldn’t be in the sun long enough to develop a tan if you’re using it.
Thanks! If I shouldn’t be in the sun long enough to develop a tan, does that mean it won’t protect my skin as well as Mexoryl, Ecamsule, and Tinosorb if I’m out for a similar period of time? When using Mexoryl I’m usually out for several hours – not lying in the sun – but hiking, etc. I find I don’t tan when using Mexoryl. Is Skin Aqua Sarafit UV not as strong? I like the idea of this product being less opaque and more of a primer. But my primary objective is to not get sun damage. If this… Read more »
One more thing . . . the reason I don’t want to tan is tanning is what causes UVA damage that ages the skin. So when you say I shouldn’t be in the skin long enough to develop a tan, I don’t understand. Would I tan, if I wore it for too many hours? Does it only protect against burning like SPF sunscreens, or does it protect against tanning for a short period of time? How long can I be in sun and not tan using this?
It does contain Tinosorb — it’s listed above. But the UV filters used don’t have anything to do with it. This sunscreen is formulated specifically for casual, everyday wear only (incidental sun exposure), not for outdoors/sports. I always strongly recommend people to follow manufacturer’s advice and instructions. You risk get terribly sunburn and/or hyperpigmentation. If you’re going to doing outdoor activities, use a sunscreen that is actually formulated for such purpose.
Most skin will not tan from incidental sun exposure and this is what everyday wear sunscreens protect against.
Hi, I just started wearing sunscreen (i know, bad!) and am loving your site for all the very useful info! The description for this mentions that it uses a “keep dry powder” – i was wondering if there is any talc (talcum powder) involved (I don’t see it in the ingredients list but wanted to confirm as this is something I am trying to avoid. Thanks again for all the value you provide!
If it’s not in the ingredient list, then it doesn’t contain it.
Sunscreen formulated for everyday wear, like this one, are for incidental sun exposure only — you shouldn’t be in the sun long enough to develop a tan.
Hi Ratzilla! What is the typical shelf life of sunscreens? Opened vs. unopened?
3 years unopened. Once it has been opened, it should be used up within a year.
Hi! I’m no expert in ingredients, in terms of clogging pores.. I love this sunscream, but I’m currently on Accutane and I don’t know if this sarafit is suited for acne-prone skin! Would you, please, help me with that, if you can? Thank you so much!
Unfortunately, no one can tell you whether something will cause your skin problems. It is completely individual. Comedogenic and irritancy ratings are highly inaccurate as each ingredient was tested done neat (by itself) decades ago on albino rabbit ears. If you’re been using this sunscreen without any issues, I’d say it’s safe to keep using it!
Thank you for answering! Nice to know this. I guess I should just test it and see!
Hi Ratzilla,
Could you shed some light as to why waterproof sunblocks are mostly P+++ where as your normal day to day are P++++?
I’ll be spending sometime in a beach and was trying to figure out what sunscreen to purchase when I noticed the + difference.
What made you come to that conclusion? There’re countless water-resistant PA++++ sunscreens that are formulated for sports and the outdoors! Have you taken a look at the “PA++++” link? https://www.ratzillacosme.com/description/ppd16-above/
My apologies. I did do a search and for some odd reason It was the Chrome Canary browser that did not give me all the results. All good now. Thanks
Hello, thanks a lot for all that you’ve done in reviewing sunscreens. I have a question: I’m looking for a good makeup primer + sunscreen to be worn in hot, humid climate in Asia (especially Taiwan/Hong Kong), that will work well under makeup for outdoor wedding. Is this product (Skin Aqua) something you would recommend? Also, would you wear this on top of your regular skin care? I’m not familiar much about which product will withstand hot/humid weather as I’ve lived in the Northern Hemisphere almost all my life (Europe and Northern U.S.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks… Read more »
I’d say it’s perfectly suited (and it’s flashback-safe!), unless your outdoor wedding would have you sitting/standing under direct sun in the afternoon for quite a while. This newly upgraded formula is quite a big improvement from the previous years!