biore uv aqua rich water essence spf isn’t cruelty free… but these alternatives are!
If you’re after that feather-light, watery essence SPF – the kind that spreads effortlessly, disappears instantly, and feels more like skincare than SPF – chances are you’ve come across the cult-favourite Biore UV Aqua Rich.
It’s glossy, it’s viral, it’s everywhere.
But if you’re trying to shop vegan and cruelty free, you might want to look else where…
note: this post contains affiliate links, which means i may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you.
is biore uv aqua rich water essence sunscreen vegan or cruelty free?
Short answer: no.
Biore state they are “cruelty-free in our western markets”… RED FLAG!! This suggests their “cruelty-free” status is region-specific, not global. Absolutely not how that works.
Basically, they sell their products in mainland China, where cosmetics are legally required to be tested on animals. So: not cruelty free. And if they’re not cruelty free? Biore is certainly not vegan either.
the alternatives (actually cruelty free)
Now for the good part. If you love that watery, weightless SPF texture, these deliver a very similar experience just without the ethical compromise:
naked sundays cabanaclear water gel serum spf50
Naked Sundays is a fully vegan and cruelty free brand, and this CabanaClear SPF50 gel-serum is designed to be completely clear, lightweight, and fast-absorbing. No heaviness, no greasiness, no silicone. It sits somewhere between a gel and a moisturiser, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum and vitamin E to keep skin hydrated while protecting it.
beauty of joseon relief sun aqua-fresh rice + b5 spf50+
Beauty of Joseon is cruelty free (though not fully vegan across the range, this Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh product is), and the formula leans into that same lightweight, lotion-meets-essence texture. Rice seed water and panthenol keep things hydrating and calming, while the finish is fresh, comfortable and completely white-cast free.
If you’ve got combination or oily skin and hate the feeling of SPF, this is a very safe bet.
byoma ultralight face fluid spf 30 / spf 50
Byoma is fully vegan and cruelty free, and this one is exactly what it says on the tin: Ultralight.
It sinks in quickly, doesn’t leave a greasy film, and works quietly in the background while helping support your skin barrier. No drama, no pilling, no weird texture issues under makeup. Plus you can pick between SPF 30 and SPF 50! A very solid everyday SPF that does the job without making a fuss about it.
ultra violette fave fluid spf 50+ ultralight skinscreen™
This is for when you want that barely-there, almost watery finish but still with high-performance protection.
Ultra Violette is cruelty free (not entirely vegan as a brand, but this product is), and Fave Fluid is their lightest formula yet.
It melts into the skin with zero fragrance, no heaviness, and leaves a soft, natural finish that layers beautifully under makeup.
Very much a “you forgot you put SPF on” feeling.
final thoughts
I get the appeal of Biore UV Aqua Rich, I really do. That texture is hard to beat.
But the good news is, you don’t have to compromise your values to get it.
From gel-serums to fluid sunscreens, there are plenty of vegan, cruelty free alternatives that deliver the same lightweight, hydrating, invisible finish… just without the ethical grey area.
So if you’re trying to build a routine that aligns with your values and feels good on your skin? These are a very good place to start!