Product information checked October 17, 2026. This is a comparison of published formulas and buying options. No independent wear or SPF testing was performed for this article.
Check the word after "Acid" before buying. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel and Hyaluronic Acid Daily Sun Gel have similar names, but they are different formulas. An overseas review of Watery does not tell you exactly what is in a U.S. listing for Daily.
That distinction matters more than our earlier "oily skin test" headline suggested. The previous article described personal wear without documented testing. This revision removes those claims and focuses on the version you can identify and buy.
Watery vs Daily: what the brand currently lists
| Check | Watery Sun Gel | Daily Sun Gel |
|---|---|---|
| Size listed | 50 ml | 50 ml |
| Hyaluronic acid varieties | Eight, according to the brand | Ten, according to the brand |
| Formula identifiers | The ingredient list includes BEMT and DHHB, among other UV filters. | The list includes homosalate, octisalate and avobenzone. |
| U.S. shopping | Isntree's notice says this version is unavailable in the U.S. because of OTC requirements. | The brand names Daily as its regional alternative. |
Sources: Isntree's Watery Sun Gel listing and regional notice and Daily Sun Gel ingredient list. These are identification details, not a ranking of which formula protects better.
On a label, octisalate may appear as ethylhexyl salicylate and avobenzone as butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. Comparing those names can help you spot a changed formula even when the shop title is vague. Do not use the number of hyaluronic acid varieties as a score: this comparison does not establish that ten delivers more hydration than eight.
Does "gel" make it the best choice for oily skin?
The name alone cannot answer that. We do not have a controlled comparison of shine, pilling, eye comfort or makeup wear for either version. A claim that one stayed matte through an afternoon would need observations on the actual formula, the amount applied and the rest of the routine.
For a useful decision, write down the problem with your current sunscreen. If it is heavy texture, look for reliable finish comparisons of the exact version. If it is irritation, compare the full ingredient list with products you already tolerate. If it is poor availability, a sunscreen with a stable local supply may be the more practical choice. These are separate problems; a shared "oily skin" label does not solve all three.
A listing check that takes less time than a return
- Read the full name on the tube. The search title and the selected variant should both say Watery or both say Daily.
- Open the back-label photo. Compare ingredients and directions, not just the blue-and-white packaging.
- Check the destination market. A marketplace result does not establish official availability or seller authorization.
- Read the selected variant's reviews. Reviews pooled across several sunscreens may describe a different formula.
- Confirm size, seller, expiry information and returns. Save the listing details before ordering if anything is unclear.
For U.S. readers, start with the brand's Daily listing rather than assuming a Watery review applies. If a retailer cannot identify its version, choose a listing that can.
Using sunscreen without trading away protection
Follow the package directions. FDA guidance includes applying before sun exposure, reapplying at least every two hours and using additional sun protection such as clothing and shade. Water resistance must be stated on the label; a gel texture does not establish it. Read FDA's sunscreen guidance.
If makeup pills, assess the combination of products before buying several replacements. Keep notes on the moisturizer, sunscreen version and foundation used. Reducing the sunscreen below its directed amount to make foundation look better is not a useful fix.
Where this leaves the buying decision
Choose a clearly identified regional version first, then assess whether its finish suits your routine. We have not established that Watery is superior for oily skin, that Daily feels identical, or that either will be comfortable around every person's eyes.
Compare Isntree Daily Sun Gel listings on Amazon - this is a search link, not verification of any individual seller. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Also compare the Round Lab sunscreen version guide or build the rest of a simple dry-skin routine.