The Most Lightweight & Greaseless Sunscreen Ever : Nik's professional Aqua Sun Protect SPF 50+ / pa+++

Name: Nik's professional Aqua Sun Protect SPF 50+ / pa+++

Price: $30 SGD

Volume: 15ml

Rating: 4/5 stars
Website: LINK

Niks Professional is a skin care brand that originated from a Doctor's office. The first branch of the clinic was opened in the eastern side of Singapore and I've even been there once! I vaguely remember the queue being so long that after queuing for an evening, I still didn't managed to see the doctor and had to return the next day. I've never waited this long to see a doctor before but I guess the snaking queue attest to it's quality.

Here's a little about the brand itself 

" Niks Professional is an integrated medical skin care provider, incorporating family dermatology and aesthetic medical services, skin care products, facial treatment and medical camouflage service under one roof and a single NIKS brand.
We own and operate three medical clinics in Singapore focusing on family dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Our clinical services are complemented by a portfolio of some 200 quality medical skin care products. Our products are conceptualised and developed in Singapore and made in the finest factories in the United States and Europe. We brand our products and services under one unified, consistent NIKS brand. All our products satisfy stringent regulatory requirements in the United States and Europe, and are regularly updated to reflect advances in skin care technology. We are also active in paramedical camouflage cosmetics." 

Let's jump straight into my simple review.




Packaging;
The product comes in a round medical looking plastic jar; nothing particularly aesthetic about it. In fact I'd go as far as to say the colour combination are a tad tacky and seem to fit the shelves of a Kids Toy corner than any dermatological stores.

I believe you can have stylish designs even on a budget so maybe that is an area the brand might want to consider improving. However I want to also highlight my stance that packaging is always secondary to the quality and effectiveness of a product.

Price:

At $30 for a mere 15ml, this product is well in the range of high end bonanza. With a $2 per ml conversion rate, this product has some of the least quantity to price value I've experienced. You guys know your girl here is on the budget end of the spectrum *couchcheapskatecough*. 

But we all know beauty cannot be priced and in the name of beauty, one might argue this product is well worth it's bang.  I will agree that value is determined by the individual so if you think it is worth the cost, great! 

Texture & application

This product has the weirdest texture and form I've ever experienced. It appears both smooth and lumpy in the jar, which is already strange. And then when it gets onto your hand, it feels rubbery and takes a huge amount of effort to blend. Strangest texture ever. 

I really don't like how impossible it is to blend with your finger. Your best bet is the sponge applicator that comes along with it. 

Effects on the skin

Since I'm unable to assess the sun protective nature of the product , I will review based on how it feels on the skin. 

It leaves a slight white cast and while that's not desirable in most cases, it's actually good here because that's the only way you can see that you've got some product on your face. Since its practically impossible to apply with your fingers and you have to rely in the sponge, that makes it difficult to control the quantity you use. 

I particularly love how it leaves the face feeling like it's got nothing on it at all. And I really mean it - it's practically grease-less. And it's the only sunscreen I've used by far that doesn't feel greasy, sticky or moisturising. 

Conclusion 

The Nik's professional Sunscreen is stellar product suitable for oily and acne prone skin in humid and hot climate. I cannot tell if there were ingredients within it that helped control oil secretion but the matte finish it provided is very welcomed.

My biggest complain would be the difficulty in applying and the steep price point. 

Like I mentioned above ,it is close to impossible to blend the product out with your fingers alone. Relying on a sponge means extra effort to keep the sponge hygiene while wasting products on it that could have gone onto your face. 

The steep price point per unit was also a big deal breaker for me. While it's hard to put a label to how  much is too much when it comes to beauty products that are essential and will reap it's benefits 20 years down the road. I find the price point difficult to sustain for most people. But I guess if you have a very minimalist approach to the rest of your skin care line up and don't mind splurging on an effective and weightless sunscreen then, why not ? 

I went through 2 jars of these before I decided it was not sustainable enough for me and it didn't really do anything for my skin that was breaking out non-stop around that period. But if you're looking for a matte sunscreen that doesn't make your skin feel like it's being suffocated, feel free to check Nik's Professional out !