I seem to always pick up a 100% mineral sunscreen no matter how many times they have sorta failed for me. Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++ has been raved about as a cosmetically elegant mineral sunscreen with little to no cast, so I just had some hope that maybe, this one would be the one.
It’s been in and out of my skincare routine for about a year, and I’m finally settled with my thoughts.
Information on Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++
“Physical sunscreen for sensitive skin. Refreshing and soft sun cream with mild ingredients that safely protects the skin from the light, heat and irritants.”
– Dr. G website
Price: $25 USD
Amount: 50ml
Packaging: Opaque white tube with twist off cap
Water Resistant? No
Free of: Fragrance, denatured alcohol
Where it’s Made: Korea
Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++ Ingredients
UV FILTERS:
Zinc Oxide (UVB, UVA2 and UVA1)
Type: Mineral/Inorganic
UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024: This sunscreen contains an unregulated chemical/organic filter called Butyloctyl Salicylate, a relative of Octisalate. Please see Lab Muffin’s video best explaining what this means.
INGREDIENTS: Water(Aqua/Eau), Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ectoin, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin
Highlighted Ingredients
- Sodium Hyaluronate – humectant, naturally occurring in our skin
- Tocopherol – antioxidant
- Centella Asiatica Extract – humectant, soothing, antioxidant, wound healing
- Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) – antioxidant
- Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract – red algae; Limits shortening of telomeres, thus thought to delay skin aging by maintaining cell’s longevity
- Houttuynia Cordata Extract – soothing, antioxidant; used in Traditional Korean Medicine for acne
- Ectoin – humectant, soothing, antioxidant, barrier repairing
- Lactobacillus Ferment – soothing, antioxidant
- Rutin – antioxidant
Based on the ingredients list alone…
Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++ contains a variety of antioxidant and soothing ingredients, making it friendly to those of us with acne prone skin. The base of ingredients looks to be a variety of silicones, which means the finish may be smooth and light.
My Experience with Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++
TEXTURE: A light silicone-ish smooth cream.
APPLICATION: I have tried applying this sunscreen in multiple layers and all in one go. The layers make applying a full mineral sunscreen less overwhelming, otherwise I found it set the same.
FINISH: After initial application, there is a whitecast on my skin. Lighter than some I’ve had in the past, but still present and visible. After 20 minutes, the whitecast subsides a bit, but it is still obvious I’m wearing a sunscreen. In some lighting it looks okay, but I would prefer applying some type of coverage over top. Sometimes it would pill on my neck, but most of the time I found no issues in that regard while applying. Due to the little particles creating a semi-matte finish, I do find this sunscreen slightly emphasizes my texture. It’s not the worse I’ve tried, but obviously I prefer not having that happen.
FEEL: Light and surprisingly non-greasy. Usually mineral sunscreens have a bit of a greasy texture, but Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++ feels more siliconey in the best of ways. If my skin is particularly parched, I notice this sunscreen makes my face feel drier and would lead to pilling. On a normal skin day, my skin looks like any other day, but with a slight white tone-up effect.
STINGS EYES? No, usually mineral sunscreens do not sting my eyes.
Final Thoughts on Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++
Pros
- A high UVA protecting mineral sunscreen one can get from the Korean market
- One of the more cosmetically elegant mineral sunscreens I have tried
In-Between Feels
- The whitecast. Although it is present, it is one of the more forgiving ones I have tried. With how it feels on the skin and how much lighter the cast is, I think this would be good under foundation. I have moments where the slight cast does not bother me, but I always know it’s there.
- UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024: After watching Lab Muffin’s video “How ‘mineral’ sunscreens are dodging laws“, I’m quite perplexed. I wonder how many mineral sunscreens I’ve reached for in the past, that weren’t actually fully mineral.
Cons
- I don’t like it when skincare emphasizes my texture, unfortunately this sunscreen did.
Alas, another mineral sunscreen, another whitecast. Why do I go back to them? Maybe it’s hope that there will be one that just effortlessly works. If you’re willing to deal with the slight whitecast from Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++, I think it’s a good option for those looking solely for all mineral sunscreens. I don’t wear foundation anymore, so I reserve this sunscreen for my palest days in the winter. Until then, I’d rather reach for hybrid sunscreens.
WHERE TO BUY:
* Stylevana: https://go.shopmy.us/p-3756609
* Beauty Within: https://go.shopmy.us/p-3756621
Asterisk (*) denotes an affiliate link. This means I earn a small commission if you use this link to make a purchase. MICHXMASH Disclosure
As always, I hope you found this review helpful and informative!
xo, M