Welcome to my 7th annual comparative guide to the top 20¹ SPF50+ PA++++ Japanese sunscreens of 2023. This year, I have over 50 new J-beauty sunscreen releases and reformulations featured on my site, including some with lower SPF and PA ratings.
To explore previous years’ releases, check out my 2022 and 2021 Japanese sunscreen guides. Please note that some of the products featured may have been discontinued due to Japan’s short product life cycle.
My Japanese sunscreen guide uses icons and UV filter abbreviations, such as ‘DHHB’ for diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, also known as Uvinul A Plus.
¹ Based on this website’s statistics.
JAPANESE MILK SUNCREENS
Ultra-fluid, milk-like texture — characterised by their long-wearing, stay-put formula. Remember to shake well before use.
PRODUCT | Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Highlight Lotion » | Pigeon UV Baby Milk Waterproof » | SEKKISEI Clear Wellness UV Sunscreen Essence Milk » | SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Milk SPF50+ (2023 version) » | TRANSINO UV Protector » |
PRICE / SIZE | ¥830 / 70ml | ¥1,200 / 50g | ¥2,420 / 50ml | ¥900 / 40ml | ¥2,600 / 30ml |
UV FILTERS | OMC, TiO2, EHT, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO & TiO2 | ZnO, OMC, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO, OMC & DHHB | TiO2 & ZnO |
USAGE | |||||
RESISTANCE | |||||
KEY POINTS | ‣ Soft-focus glow ‣ Water-like texture ‣ Encapsulated UV filters | ‣ For sensitive skin ‣ Baby-safe | ‣ Marine-safe ‣ Anti-pollution | ‣ Moisture-rich ‣ Anti-pollution | ‣ With tranexamic acid ‣ Light-diffusing glow ‣ Anti-pollution |
‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ⸺ | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ⸺ | ‣ Alcohol |
JAPANESE GEL SUNCREENS
Refreshing watery gel texture.
PRODUCT | Hare Bare Protection UV Serum C » | MENTURM the SUN Perfect UV Gel » | SEKKISEI Clear Wellness UV Sunscreen Essence Gel » | SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Gel » | SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Gel GOLD » |
PRICE / SIZE | ¥1,500 / 60g | ¥650 / 100g | ¥2,420 / 70g | ¥759 / 110g; ¥946 / 140g | ¥1,100 / 110g |
UV FILTERS | OMC, DHHB & BEMT | OMC, EHT & DHHB | ZnO, OMC, BEMT, DHHB & PS15 | OMC, BEMT, DHHB & EHT | OMC, BEMT, PS15 & DHHB |
USAGE | |||||
RESISTANCE | ⸺ | ||||
KEY POINTS | ‣ With vitamin C ‣ Anti-pollution | ‣ Water-light texture | ‣ Marine-safe ‣ Anti-pollution | ‣ Anti-pollution ‣ Encapsulated UV filters | ‣ Humidity-resistant ‣ Anti-pollution |
‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol | ‣ Alcohol |
JAPANESE ESSENCE SUNSCREENS
Characterised by their essence (aka serum)-like texture. They are the most moisturising in a sunscreen line-up (unless a cream formula is also available).
PRODUCT | Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence » | Melano CC Deep Day Care UV Milk » | NIVEA UV DEEP PROTECT & Care Tone Up Essence » | SKIN AQUA NEXTA Tone Up Serum UV Essence » | SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Essence » |
PRICE / SIZE | ¥768 / 70g; ¥1,317 / 120g | ¥1,210 / 50g | ¥980 / 50g | ¥1,760 / 70g | ¥1,100 / 80g |
UV FILTERS | OMC, EHT, DHHB & BEMT | OMC, TiO2, DHHB, MBBT & BEMT | OMC, DHHB, TiO2, BEMT, EHT & PS15 | ZnO & TiO2 | OMC, EHT, BEMT, MBBT & DHHB |
USAGE | |||||
RESISTANCE | |||||
KEY POINTS | ‣ Anti-pollution ‣ Encapsulated UV filters | ‣ Soft-focus glow ‣ Pore-blurring ‣ With vitamin C ‣ Anti-polution | ‣ For women over 30 ‣ Rose corrector ‣ Luminous effect | ‣ Rose corrector ‣ Luminous effect ‣ Anti-pollution | ‣ Moisture-rich ‣ Anti-pollution ‣ Encapsulated UV filters |
‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol |
JAPANESE MULTITASKERS
Products with SPF50+ PA++++ that aren’t dedicated sunscreens.
PRODUCT | ALLIE Chrono Beauty Color On UV » | For the F Medicated Wrinkle White UV Base » | MAQuillAGE Dramatic Skin Sensor Base NEO » | SANA Keana Pate Shokunin The Block Base » | SUNCUT PRODEFENSE All In One UV Mousse Light Up » |
PRICE / SIZE | ¥1,980 / 15g | ¥1,540 / 30ml | ¥1,078 / 25ml | ¥1,500 / 25ml | ¥2,000 / 60g |
UV FILTERS | ZnO, TiO2, Mexoryl XL, EHT, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO & TiO2 | ZnO, OMC, OCR, TiO2 & DHHB | OMC, ZnO, PBSA, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO, OMC, Ti02, BEMT & DHHB |
USAGE | |||||
RESISTANCE | | ||||
KEY POINTS | ‣ For cheeks ‣ Blush colour ‣ Ocean-safe ‣ Encapsulated UV filters | ‣ For women over 40 ‣ Pink-beige colour ‣ With Niacinamide ‣ Oil-control | ‣ 3 colours available ‣ Humidity-resistant ‣ Pore-concealing ‣ Oil-control | ‣ Pink-beige colour ‣ Luminous effect ‣ Pore-concealing ‣ Oil-control | ‣ Mousse texture ‣ Luminous effect ‣ With Tiger grass ‣ Anti-pollution |
‣ Alcohol ‣ Fragrance | ‣ Alcohol | ‣ Alcohol | ‣ Alcohol | ‣ Alcohol |
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