OK, here’s my full-throttle, fun-loving ode to a sunscreen I’ve stubbornly stuck with even after years of K‑beauty deep dives: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Sunscreen SPF 45. And, guess what? It’s 50% off right now on Amazon before Prime Big Deal Days (yes, I double-checked).
If you asked me when I first dipped a toe into the vast, glittery ocean of Korean skincare, I’d say I’ve been navigating its currents for years now, testing every hyped serum, barrier-repair cream, sleeping mask — you name it.
Through seasons of repurchasing, switching, patch‑testing, exaggerating and eyebrow-raising, there’s one sunscreen I keep drifting back to like a skincare moth to the K-beauty flame: Aqua Bomb Sunscreen.
It’s gentle, has a texture that feels like a soft sigh on skin, and (most importantly) it plays nice with pretty much everything else in my routine. So when I saw it at half off, I squealed. Quietly, of course, because I’m also an adult.
So what’s the deal with this formula? First, it’s a chemical “hybrid” sunscreen (i.e. not a mineral-only block). The active UV filters in it are homosalate 9 %, octocrylene 9 %, octisalate 4.5 % and avobenzone 2.7 %; that combo gives you broad-spectrum guard across UVB and UVA.
The “Aqua Bomb” name is apt because it has that gel-cream, watery-but-not-runny texture that delivers moisture without leaving a greasy mask. It absorbs nicely, with zero white cast (a must for all skin tones).
Under the hood of this sunscreen, there are some soothing and skin-nourishing sidekicks: glycerin for humectant power, panthenol, oat kernel extract, calendula (marigold) extract, and honeysuckle flower extract. These help keep your skin’s barrier calm and plumped. There is a sprinkling of essential oils (rose geranium, rosemary leaf oil, citrus peel oils) and fragrance-adjacent compounds (limonene, citral, etc.), so if your skin is ultra-sensitive, exercise caution or patch-test.
One quirk: because avobenzone and homosalate are not the most photostable UV filters, they degrade somewhat under constant sun exposure. That’s exactly why reapplication is non‑negotiable.
Now, how do you use it so it actually does its job (and not just sit there looking pretty)?
Start at the end of your skincare lineup, so serums, essences, and moisturizers can do their thing first. Squeeze out about a nickel to quarter-sized amount (or the amount you’d use of any solid facial sunscreen), dot it across your face, neck, and ears, gently smoothing it out in light layers, ensuring even coverage.
Since it’s a chemical sunscreen, apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure so it has time to “settle in.” Don’t skip your jawline or hairline, because yes, those get sun too. Reapply at least every two hours.
One sneaky tip I’ve learned after years of tweaking is to tap — don’t rub — if you have layered makeup or tinted products underneath. Tapping helps preserve what you’ve already built, while still letting the sunscreen “melt in.” Because this formula is fairly light, it layers decently over most products (no gross pilling, in my experience).
Let me tell you about the sensation on skin: this SPF feels like a damp breeze — if a breeze could hydrate you. It’s not heavy, not sticky, and it never feels like you’re wearing a mask. On hotter days, I forget I have it on until I glance in the mirror and realize — oh right, I’m protected. That’s gold. After all my trials, that lightweight, dependable feel is exactly why I keep coming back.
And now? At 50 % off on Amazon, it’s looking like a steal for any K-beauty lover, sunscreen obsessive, or someone who just wants a more skin-friendly daily defender.
So yes, after years of dabbling, swearing off, forgiving, and re-buying, belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Sunscreen SPF 45 is the gentle, pretty, dependable sunscreen I repeatedly choose to stick in my rotation. If your sunscreen shelf needs a mood-lifter (and maybe your wallet a break), this deal might be your moment.
more face sunscreen
Another glow-given product from belif: this SPF. With hyaluronic acid, it’s A+.
With no white cast, this Korean sunscreen is less than $20 and elegant on the skin.
This annual Amazon sale — which we like to call October Prime Day — is similar to the well-known July event: it’s a two-day blow out shopping event with deep discounts on bestsellers and everyday essentials. But the timing of this sale makes all the difference; shoppers can also score pre-Black Friday deals on top-rated toys and sell-out-risk gifts before the holiday rush.
Amazon’s fall Prime Day event only lasts two days. This sale starts on Tuesday October 7 at 12:01 a.m. PT and runs through Wednesday October 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Prime Big Deal Days 2025 ends on Wednesday October 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so east-coasters have until about 3 a.m. on October 9 their time to shop the deals.
Prime Big Deal Days is a member-exclusive sale event. Interested shoppers can grab a 30-day free trial to try Prime, and its many benefits, with no strings attached.
Already familiar with July Prime Day? Then you’ll love Amazon’s fall version! Like its summer spectacular sale, Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days offers major discounts for 48 hours, but with a bigger focus on holiday gifts, toys and tech to shop ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
From reporting on Amazon sales for years, we can tell you for certain that October Prime Day is the ideal period to stock up on household essentials, score great deals on gift-worthy items and toys, take advantage of Black Friday-level discounts on tech and appliances, refill your skincare empties, and comb through the massive catalog of Amazon best-sellers.
We certainly think so! October Prime Day is a great chance to score Black Friday-worthy deals on thousands of best-sellers, including everything from big-ticket tech to Post reader-favorite trash bags. Our team diligently sorts through all the offers to find you the very best items to grab on sale.
Already wondering when Amazon’s next Prime Day is? Prime Day takes place in July each year, so it’s safe to assume it will take place in mid-July 2026 — similar to previous years. Can’t wait to shop more Amazon deals? Look out for Amazon’s Black Friday sales to kick off the holiday season in November.
Don’t miss Post Wanted’s around-the-clock coverage. Click here to find all of the best deals.
This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
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