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 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.
PRICE | ¥830 / 70ml | ¥1,200 / 50g | ¥2,420 / 50ml | ¥900 / 40ml | ¥2,600 / 30ml |
USE | Everyday | Outdoors | Everyday Outdoors | Everyday | Everyday |
UV FILTERS | OMC, TiO2, EHT, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO & TiO2 | ZnO, OMC, DHHB & BEMT | ZnO, OMC & DHHB | TiO2 & ZnO |
RESISTANCE | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat |
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, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum |
JAPANESE GEL SUNCREENS
Refreshing watery gel texture.
PRICE | ¥1,500 / 60g | ¥650 / 100g | ¥2,420 / 70g | ¥759 / 110g; ¥946 / 140g | ¥1,100 / 110g |
USE | Everyday | Everyday | Everyday Outdoors | Everyday | Everyday |
UV FILTERS | OMC, DHHB & BEMT | OMC, EHT & DHHB | ZnO, OMC, BEMT, DHHB & PS15 | OMC, BEMT, DHHB & EHT | OMC, BEMT, PS15 & DHHB |
RESISTANCE | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | |
KEY POINTS | With vit. C, Anti-pollution | Water-light texture | Marine-safe, Anti-pollution | Anti-pollution, Encapsulated UV filters | Humidity-resistant, Anti-pollution
|
Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | 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).
PRICE | ¥768 / 70g; ¥1,317 / 120g | ¥1,210 / 50g | ¥980 / 50g | ¥1,760 / 70g | ¥1,100 / 80g |
USE | Everyday | Everyday | Everyday Outdoors | Everyday | Everyday |
UV FILTERS | OMC, EHT, DHHB & BEMT | OMC, TiO2, DHHB, MBBT & BEMT | OMC, DHHB, TiO2, BEMT, EHT & PS15 | ZnO & TiO2 | OMC, EHT, BEMT, MBBT & DHHB |
RESISTANCE | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat | Water/Sweat |
KEY POINTS | Anti-pollution, Encapsulated UV filters | Soft-focus glow, Pore-blurring, With vit. 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, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | Alcohol, Parfum | Alcohol |
JAPANESE MULTITASKERS
Products with SPF50+ PA++++ that aren’t dedicated sunscreens.
PRICE | ¥1,980 / 15g
| ¥1,540 / 30ml | ¥1,078 / 25ml | ¥1,500 / 25ml | ¥2,000 / 60g |
USE | Everyday | Everyday | Everyday | Everyday | Everyday |
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 |
RESISTANCE | Water/Sweat Friction | Water/Sweat Friction | Friction | Water/Sweat Friction | |
KEY POINTS | For cheeks, Blush colour, Ocean-safe, Encapsulated UV filters | For women over 40, Pink-beige colour, With Niacinamide, Oil-control | 3 colours 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, Parfum | Alcohol | Alcohol | Alcohol | Alcohol |
Copyright: © 2023 RatzillaCosme
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