It’s the 4th season of the Japanese Sunscreen Comparison Chart. This is a handy at-a-glance guide to the top 20¹ most popular new SPF50+ PA++++ Japanese sunscreen releases of 2020. It’s by no means a conclusive list — you can find all the sunscreens released this year here.

Looking for older releases? Check out my 2019’s sunscreen guide and my 2018’s sunscreen guide. Please note that numerous products featured there have already been discontinued or replaced due to the relatively short product life cycle in Japan.

¹ Based on this website’s statistics.

MILK TYPE

Ultra-fluid, milk-like texture — characterised by their long-wearing, stay-put formula. Remember to shake well before use.


Product Name	ALLIE Extra UV Perfect N (2020) »	ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk (2020) »	Biore UV Athlizm Sunburn Protect Milk »	SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Milk »	TRANSINO Whitening UV Protector »
Price / Size	¥1,050 / 25ml; ¥2,100 / 60ml	¥1,200 / 25ml; ¥3,000 / 60ml	¥1,500 / 60ml	¥1,000 / 40ml	¥2,600 / 30ml
UV Filters	Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide & Uvinul A Plus.	Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Uvinul A Plus, Titanium Dioxide, Parsol SLX & Tinosorb S.	Titanium Dioxide, Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide & Uvinul A Plus.	Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide.
Daily Activities	✓	✕	✕	✕	✓
Outdoors & Sports	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Alcohol	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Fragrance	✕	✓	✓	✕	✕
Oil Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Sweat Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Water Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

GEL TYPE

Easy-on, easy-off — most are ideally suited for daily use on the body (as well as the face).


Product Name	ALLIE Extra UV Gel N (2020) »	AND MIRAI Protection UV EX »	ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel (2020) »	SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel »	SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Gel GOLD »
Price / Size	¥1,050 / 40g; ¥2,100 / 90g	¥2,500 / 60g	¥1,200 / 32g; ¥2,400 / 90g	¥1,400 / 40g; ¥2,800 / 90g	¥1,100 / 110g
UV Filters	Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Tinosorb S & Uvinul T 150.	Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S & Uvinul T 150.	Octinoxate, Octisalate, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus & Titanium Dioxide.	Octinoxate, Parsol SLX, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.
Daily Activities	✓	✓	✕	✓	✓
Outdoors & Sports	✓	✕	✓	✕	✕
Alcohol	✓	✕	✓	✓	✓
Fragrance	✕	✕	✓	✓	✕
Oil Resistant	✕	✕	✓	✕	✕
Sweat Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✕	✓
Water Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✕	✓

ESSENCE & CREAM TYPE

These are the most moisturising in a sunscreen line-up and they’re most suited for normal everyday activities.


Product Name	COUTUREUP Essence Cream UV »	Coppertone Perfect UV Cut NAMERAKA »	SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence (2020) »	SKIN AQUA UV Super Moisture Essence (2020) »	Parasola NEO Illumi Skin UV Essence »
Price / Size	¥2,600 / 60g	¥900 / 40g	¥1,000 / 80g	¥1,500 / 80g	¥698 / 70g
UV Filters	Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide.	Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Octinoxate, Tinosorb M, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Octinoxate, Tinosorb S & Uvinul A Plus.
Daily Activities	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Outdoors & Sports	✕	✕	✕	✕	✕
Alcohol	✕	✓	✓	✓	✓
Fragrance	✕	✕	✓	✕	✕
Oil Resistant	✕	✕	✕	✕	✓
Sweat Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Water Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

OTHERS

Sprays, sticks, and everything that don’t fit neatly into any of the categories above.


Product Name	AGARISM Tone Up UV Stick »	ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Bubble Spray »	ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Spray »	Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Spray »	Point Magic PRO Pressed Powder C »
Price / Size	¥2,700 / 20g	¥1,680 / 60g	¥1,800 / 60g	¥1,680 / 90g	¥1,400 / 6g
UV Filters	Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, Parsol SLX & Titanium Dioxide.	Octinoxate, Octisalate, Zinc Oxide, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus & Ensulizole.	Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Parsol SLX, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Octinoxate, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus & Tinosorb S.	Titanium Dioxide, Octinoxate & Zinc Oxide.
Daily Activities	N/A	✕	✕	✓	N/A
Outdoors & Sports	N/A	✓	✓	✓	N/A
Alcohol	✕	✓	✓	✓	✕
Fragrance	✕	✓	✓	✕	✕
Oil Resistant	✕	✕	✕	✓	✓
Sweat Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Water Resistant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕