Review: Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ face sunscreen

Edit 1/22/2021:
Please be aware that this sunscreen has been discontinued due to concerns about its actual SPF value.

Keep Cool wasn’t completely unfamiliar to me. I saw their sheet masks everywhere when I went to Seoul, South Korea last year, and I also spotted their bamboo Soothe Toner on Instagram but I had never tried anything from the brand until now.

Keep Cool is a fairly new brand, they started in 2015, in South Korea, their home country, with only sheet-masks at the beginning.

Soon enough, the brand focused on the international market, targeting different markets in Asia and also the United States. They’ve continued to develop and they now have three ranges: Soothe, their soothing range, Shine, which focuses on radiance and Ocean, whose is all about hydration.

The name Keep Cool is inspired by the main action of the products: they help to lower skin temperature.

According to them, an increase in skin temperature can cause several undesirable phenomena on the skin such as overproduction of sebum, pore enlargement and also an increase in skin sensitivity, as well as breakouts. Keep Cool combines in its formulas natural ingredients from traditional Korean medicine (Scutellaria Baicalensis, honeysuckle/ Lonicera Japonica, and Forsythia fruit), which help to cool and soothe the skin. These ingredients can be found in all product formulas.

I think you can see why I couldn’t resist it when they finally decided to launch a face sunscreen? The promise of a refreshing sunscreen, of course, when you live in a furnace, it’s something to be excited about (as I write this, it’s 10am and it’s already 41 degrees… 🔥🔥🔥).

And in reality, as we’ll see, this Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen is much more than that! I’ll explain why it’s on its way to becoming my favourite sunscreen for this summer 2020!

Skincare Face Sunscreen Guide 2020 I know that some of you are just as obsessed with sunscreens as I am, and that you’ve been waiting impatiently for this article! So without further ado, here’s an overview of my sunscreen face trials for this year 2020! Read more

The Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++, my thoughts:

Yes, I’m aware that I’ve already featured 16 sunscreen products in my 2020 Guide post, which is only a few weeks old! But really, this one deserves its own review, I must insist!

I’m well aware that my 2020 sunscreen article may have frustrated some of you, I felt it in some comments, and in the exchanges I had with some of you on social media after publishing it. I’m not talking about the fact that many of the products are Korean and therefore not always easy to find, I’ve already mentioned it in this article. And well, that’s not going to change with the product I’m introducing today, I apologize in advance! Koreans are one step ahead of the rest of the world regarding sunscreens, I can’t do anything about it! 😅

No, I’m talking about the fact that I’m well aware that my selection in the 2020 sunscreen article is more suitable for fair skin than dark skin. I made my product selection based on my preferences and my skin colour, which is a fair skin tone. But I must admit that I would be happy to talk about more products that are suitable for everyone!

And we know that sunscreens are not inclusive products. They often leave a white cast, especially if you prefer mineral sunscreen formulas. In general, for darker skin, I always recommend chemical sunscreen formulas that are more transparent.

Problem: Chemical formulas are not necessarily suitable for everyone. Depending on the filters used in the formula, they can be a little irritating, especially if you use them every day as I recommend. Fortunately, these days, at least in Europe and Asia, there are new chemical UV filters available that are much less irritating and super effective, allowing the formulas to be more transparent and more pleasant to use!

There are formulas such as the Purito’s Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF 50+ PA++++, or Dr Ceuracle’s Cica Regen Anti Dust Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++, or Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++, for example. All three are super pleasant to use, completely transparent and not at all irritating!

I like them a lot, you know that, but for summer and my combination skin, they’re a bit too rich. I like to use them when the temperatures go down because right now they make me look too shiny for my taste during the day.

Until now, in the summer, I always preferred mineral sunscreen formulas, which are ideal for my fair skin and are more matifying.

I dreamed of being able to recommend a chemical sunscreen option with a formula suitable for sensitive, combination and also dark skin tones. In other words, one that would contain new-generation UV filters that are effective and non-irritating, but without necessarily being super emollient like the existing formulas on the market.

Well, my friends with combo and sensitive skins who want a completely transparent formula, that day has finally arrived 🙌

I present to you a true hidden gem, the Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen!

It’s a sunscreen for everyday use, its formula is not waterproof though so I wouldn’t use it at the beach, personally.

I started using it 15 days ago, as soon as I received it and I’ve been only using the Keep Cool Sunscreen since then!

Here are the details of this Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA+++ sunscreen:

∎ Protection:
SPF 50+, PA++++

∎ Made in:
South Korea

∎ Texture:
A fluid and light cream, very refreshing. It absorbs quickly, without leaving any white cast and the finish is semi-matte.

∎ Sunscreen filters:
– Uvinul A Plus: filters UVA rays.
– Tinosorb S: filters UVA and UVB.

∎ Presence of alcohol?
No.

∎ Presence of fragrance? Essential oils?
No.

∎ Presence of silicones?
No.

∎ Presence of antioxidant ingredients?
Yes, Niacinamide (a great multi-tasking skincare ingredient), Centella Asiatica, Scutellaria Baicalensis root, Forsythia Suspensa fruit extract, and Pinus Densiflora pine extract.

∎ Other notable care ingredients in the formula:
Plenty! This is a great skincare product (with UV filters):
– Bamboo water, which constitutes 40% of the product. It helps to refresh and soothe overheated skin,
– anti-aging ingredients: adenosine, hyaluronic acid,
– moisturizing ingredients: bamboo extract, glycerin, hyaluronic acid (3 different molecular weights), Chamaecyparis Obtusa leaf extract, Lespedeza Capitata leaf stem cell extract,
– soothing ingredients: Centella Asiatica, honeysuckle flower extract, white cedar extract (Thuja Orientalis).

∎ White cast?
No, it’s completely transparent.

∎ Irritating? Comedogenic?
No, it’s actually perfect when my skin needs to be soothed.

∎ Mattifying?
It’s a semi-matte finish, and the product doesn’t make me look shiny any more than usual.

∎ Drying?
No, on the contrary, I find it hydrating, but not greasy.

∎ How does it look with makeup?
It’s an excellent makeup priming base, my foundation applies well over it and I feel that it helps to make it last longer.

∎ Would I repurchase?
Yes, and I’m definitely going to stock up!

∎ Prices:
Between $23 and $25 for 50ml.

I have added other details such as how to use this product in the section “Product review in detail” further down in the page, after the conclusion 😉

In conclusion:

In short, it’s my summer sunscreen crush! I find it super pleasant to use, it’s soothing, and for my skin sensitized by the use of tretinoin at the moment, it’s just perfect!

I also like the fact that it’s completely transparent, and I love the semi-matte finish. I wouldn’t say it’s mattifying, but my skin doesn’t look shinier than usual, and it doesn’t feel drier as well with this product. It’s even hydrating and and refreshing to use. And if I want to reapply it during the day, I can do so without any trouble!

Finally, it’s a good value for money, even if I must admit that I would have preferred a 100ml format because with this type of product, it’s always better be generous with your application 🙂

The Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ face sunscreen retails between $23 and $25 for 50ml.

Edit 1/22/2021:
Please be aware that this sunscreen has been discontinued due to concerns about its actual SPF value.