Dropper sunscreens have become more and more popular. From Supergoop!* to CyberDERM*, these lightweight sunscreens differ from the classical ones. So, when I first saw Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop on IG, I couldn’t refrain from trying something new. I like their idea of combining essence and sun care into a robust drop bottle. So did it revolutionize my sun protection game?
At a glance:
- Price and availability
- Brand
- Claims
- Ingredients
- Packaging
- Scent
- Texture
- My experience
- Pros
- Cons
- Verdict
- Shop
Where to buy Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop?
It is available for roughly $28 at their international shop, which ships to the US and comes in a 1.69 fl. oz. / 50 ml glass dropper bottle.
You can also shop on trusted international Asian shops like StyleKorean*, YesStyle*, Olive Young, and StyleVana. (*affiliate links)
The Abib brand
Abib, the first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponds to April. It is translated from Hebrew as “the season of beginning barley crop” because the grains ripen at that time of year. Likewise, Abib’s cosmetics start from the first step of the beauty cycle.
Although the skin’s healing processes continually regenerate cells, the skin of modern people has lost some of its properties due to external factors. The brand aims to help the skin cycle back to its prime, natural complexion.
Abib’s slogan is “The only way to perfection is endless experiments.” and Abib Laboratory focuses on the following:
- Increasing the self-generating power of the skin
- Protect the skin from toxic ingredients
- Slow the aging process
- Removal of dead skin cells
- Increase skin’s defensive power against the external stimulus.
Abib’s packaging prioritizes the product’s stability, eliminating unnecessary elements and using minimum colors.
“The perfection will be completed when there’s nothing to take out without the necessity of adding something.”
Abib Promises to:
- Pursue the natural beauty of the skin;
- Use raw materials with certified reliability;
- Products developed by the best experts;
- Only provide the products with the best quality and efficacy.
Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop claims
A powerful drop to protect your skin.
Skincare and sun protection in one bottle!
Experience a daily suncare that is light and comfortable.
The Abib sun essence contains 50.000 ppm of heartleaf extract from Jiri Mountain. The sun essence, fortified with heartleaf, smoothly absorbs onto the skin. It not only calms your skin but also provides sun protection. The light and moist texture quickly absorbs into the skin, providing a soft and featherlight finish.
Who is this sunscreen for?
Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop is recommended for all skin types, but I would say it’s more for combo & oily skin types.
Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop Ingredients
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenethyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-15, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Hexyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Aspergillus Ferment, Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Maltodextrin, Lipase, Protease, C20-22 Alcohols, Xanthan Gum.
Ingredients are taken from their official English website.
Sunscreen filters
Uvinul A Plus (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate) is a new-generation chemical sunscreen that has high UVA protection and high photostability. It is not approved by the FDA.
Tinosorb S (Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine) is a broad spectrum photo stable chemical filter not yet FDA approved.
Parsol SLX (Polysilicone-15) is a silicone-based chemical sunscreen that protects from UVB rays. This is also not approved by the FDA. Not my personal favorite ingredient, silicone can be an acne trigger and cause “pilling” under makeup. It can have benefits for dry skin since it helps prevent water loss.
Tinosorb M (Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol) is a hybrid new-generation UV filter with broad spectrum protection and high photostability. This is also not approved by the FDA.
Uvinul T 150 (Ethylhexyl Triazone) is a new-generation chemical sunscreen with high photo-stable UVB protection.
Iscotrizinol (Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone) is a chemical sunscreen agent that protects in the UVB and the UVA range and is photostable.
As you can see, like with the Goodal Heartleaf Calming Moisture Sun Cream reviewed here by a fellow muse, this sunscreen contains new-generation filters not yet approved by the FDA. That does not mean it is not safe or effective. The European Union has approved it.
Manufacturer: Cosmax, INC.
Key Ingredients
Heartleaf
This chemical sunscreen focuses on heartleaf, or houttuynia cordata extract, which is rich in polyphenols, one of which has been shown to decrease damage from UVB rays.
Niacinamide
is another notable ingredient with brightening properties.
Alcohol
Alcohol can potentially assist product absorption, but this is the one irritant in this product. It can cause skin dryness and damage the skin barrier in high enough doses.
Unfortunately, it is high on the list. Although my skin does not react badly to it, the alcohol smell is quite strong.
Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop is cruelty-free and does not include hyaluronic acid, fragrance, or essential oils.
Packaging
The sun essence comes in a very eco-friendly protective box. It is filled with 100% natural cornstarch balls, with no plastic or bubble rapper in the box.
Scent
Strong alcohol scent.
Texture
The consistency is very milky and watery, so putting it in a dropper bottle was an excellent decision.
When I put it on my face, it is sticky, but after 2-3 minutes, the sticky feeling disappears, which means my face absorbs the product.
My experience with Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop
At first, I was tricked by the texture. Looking at it, I thought it would be heavy for my skin, but I was wrong. It’s light and absorbs quickly into my skin. The white milky moist texture has a watery consistency.
Even though this is a chemical sunscreen, there’s a slight white cast upon application. The white cast soon disappears and feels more like a primer type of white cast.
I find it can pill when I do my longer morning routines, so I particularly like this for days when I’m keeping things simple. I can’t speak to how well it holds up with sweat, but it does seem to have a skin-softening effect. It leaves a soft, dewy finish with a slight tone-up effect. I have glowy healthy skin looks afterward.
For reference, I have dry, dehydrated skin, and it is wintertime. I found this sun essence can be drying on the skin over time, and I didn’t stand the heavy alcohol smell.
By no means do I think this is bad. The finish of it feels great. This might work better for me during summer, but it’s a no for my current sensitive dehydrated skin. People with oily skin will appreciate this more since it has a light essence feel.
When this sunscreen slips into my eyes, usually by the end of the day, it stings like crazy.
Because the Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop is a very liquid essence, it’s hard to tell how much of it is appropriate to get complete UV protection. The UV index is very low right now (1), so I’m not too concerned, but if I lived somewhere with a high UV index, I would be way too paranoid about its effectiveness.
How to use the Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop
- In the AM, at the end of your skincare routine, shake the glass bottle to mix the essence;
- Put two or three drops on your palms and softly massage them on your face and neck;
- Reapply throughout the day as needed / every two hours, especially during prolonged sun exposure.
Pros
- liquidy
- lightweight
- fully absorbs
- good sun protection
- soft and natural finish
- recommended for all skin types
- hypoallergenic
- fragrance-free
Cons
- initial sticky feeling
- slight white cast
- expensive
- has to be shaken up before every use
- strong alcohol scent
Verdict
As always, our skin is subjective. What didn’t work for me may work great for others 🙂 Although I was initially very excited by this new concept and the superb silky finish of this Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop, I was soon let down by its’ strong alcohol scent that stung my sensitive eyes and dried my skin.
I will not repurchase, and I am still seeking my HG!
Rating 3.5/5
Shop for Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop
For roughly $28, you can get Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop at their international shop or popular Asian stores such as StyleKorean*, YesStyle*, Olive Young, and StyleVana. (*affiliate links)
As always, you do you, be kind to your skin and yourself! Remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different, so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa. So before adding a new product to your skincare routine, it pays to do a little research first.
Pay special attention to ingredients that you might react to. Doing a patch test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.
Happy skin experimenting, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Show me proof
- Shamoto, Y., Yagi, M., Oguchi-Fujiyama, N. et al. Photophysical properties of hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate (Uvinul A Plus), a UV-A absorber. Photochem Photobiol Sci 16, 1449–1457 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1039/c7pp00164a
- Chatelain E, Gabard B. Photostabilization of butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate by bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (Tinosorb S), a new UV broadband filter. Photochem Photobiol. 2001 Sep;74(3):401-6. doi: 10.1562/0031-8655(2001)074<0401:pobmaa>2.0.co;2. PMID: 11594052.
- Eric Chatelain, Bernard Gabard. Photostabilization of Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate by Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (Tinosorb S), a New UV Broadband Filter. Photochemistry and Photobiology. Volume 74, Issue3 September 2001 Pages 401-406 https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2001)0740401POBMAA2.0.CO2
- Sobanska AW, Pyzowski J. Quantification of sunscreen ethylhexyl triazone in topical skin-care products by normal-phase TLC/densitometry. ScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:807516. doi: 10.1100/2012/807516. Epub 2012 May 2. PMID: 22629203; PMCID: PMC3353564.
- Couteau C, Pommier M, Paparis E, Coiffard LJ (June 2007). “Study of the efficacy of 18 sun filters authorized in European Union tested in vitro“. Pharmazie. 62 (6): 449–452. doi:10.1691/ph.2007.6.6247
- Mapoung, Sariya, Sonthaya Umsumarng, Warathit Semmarath, Punnida Arjsri, Kamonwan Srisawad, Pilaiporn Thippraphan, Supachai Yodkeeree, and Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul. 2021. “Photoprotective Effects of a Hyperoside-Enriched Fraction Prepared from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Aging in Human Fibroblasts through the MAPK Signaling Pathway” Plants 10, no. 12: 2628. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122628
- Puri N, Talwar A. The efficacy of silicone gel for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jul;2(2):104-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.58527. PMID: 20808600; PMCID: PMC2918339.
- S Kwak, E Brief, D Langlais, N Kitson, M Lafleur, J Thewalt, Ethanol perturbs lipid organization in models of stratum corneum membranes: An investigation combining differential scanning calorimetry, infrared and 2H NMR spectroscopy, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Biomembranes, Volume 1818, Issue 5, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.02.013
