15 Best Japanese Sunscreens

Which sunscreens are the best in Japan??

Sunscreens are the must-have item for everyone during summer! Japanese sunscreen is well known for its great quality, and it’s a highly popular product to shop among foreign travellers today. The sunscreen market in Japan is really huge and there are countless sunscreen products sold in stores.

So in case you are lost in a drugstore wondering “which sunscreen to get?”, I have picked 15 sunscreens sold in Japan this summer with most positive reviews! From the best quality to budget friendly, find your best sunscreens this summer 🙂

1. ANESSA Perfect UV Skincare Milk

ANESSA Perfect UV Skincare Milk (アネッサ パーフェクト UV スキンケアミルク) is one of the best-selling Japanese skin care products of all time. This product is not only popular in Japan but also overseas. The sunscreen features Shiseido’s advanced “Thermo Booster Technology” and “Aqua Booster EX Technology” which enhance the effect of UV protection and longevity when contacting with water, sweat and heat from the sun. It’s also sand-proof and prevents sand from sticking on the skin. While offering powerful UV protection and long-lasting effect, it feels light and can spread smoothly on the skin without leaving while cast. Can be removed easily with regular soap.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 3,300 yen (60ml) [Shop Online]

2. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (ビオレ UV アクアリッチ ウォータリーエッセンス) is an award-winning Japanese drugstore sunscreen that are known for being lightweight and long-lasting. The water-based sunscreen provides a powerful, long-lasting UV protection with a smooth and transparent finish. It features Biore’s original Micro Defense formula with micro capsules packed with a UV protection agent which spread evenly and form a veil on the skin. It contains beauty ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and royal jelly to moisturize the skin. It’s super waterproof formula but can be removed easily with regular soap.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 880 yen (50g) ［Shop Online］

3. NIVEA UV Super Water Gel

NIVEA UV care series offers skin-friendly, affordable sunscreen products for kids to adults. NIVEA UV Super Water Gel (ニベアUV スーパーウォータージェル) is a lightweight, water-like sunscreen that spreads smoothly on the skin. It feels like a skin care toner that you might forget you are wearing sunscreen. It moisturizes the skin and protect from dryness while offering a high sun protection. It can be used for face, body and as a makeup primer. It’s free of mineral oil, artificial color and fragrance.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 800 yen (80g)/1,200 yen (140g)

4. ALLIE Extra UV Gel

Along with ANESSA, ALLIE is a popular sunscreen brand known for being effective and high-quality. ALLIE Extra UV Gel (アリー エクストラUV ジェル) is a fresh and lightweight gel sunscreen with powerful sun protection. It’s super-waterproof and resistant to sweat and water. It also features Kanebo’s original “Super Friction Proof Technology” which is highly resistant to rubbing and prevents the sunscreen from fading and smudging to your clothes or bags. It contains beauty essence like hyaluronic acid and collagen to moisturize the skin

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,980 yen (90g) [Shop Online]

5. KOSE SUNCUT Protect UV Spray

Spray type sunscreen is very useful, especially for re-touch and to protect hair and parts of body that are difficult to reach by hand. KOSE SUNCUT Protect UV Spray (サンカットプロテクトＵＶ スプレー) is a top-selling sunscreen spray in Japan. The transparent, light and fast-drying sunscreen spray is easy to apply on your face, body and hair. It contains baby powder so it feels smooth and non-sticky. You can apply it over or under makeup. It offers the highest UV protection factor in Japan and is highly resistant to water, sweat and sebum. The allerguard function forms a film over the skin and protects against environmental stressors such as pollen and dust.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 698 yen (50 g)

6. KAO Curel Day Barrier UV Protection Milk

KAO Curel is Japan’s top selling skin care brand focusing on ceramide functioned products designed for dry, sensitive skin. Curel Day Barrier UV Protection Milk (キュレル UVカット デイバリアUVローション) is a ceramide functioned, gentle formula sunscreen that protect the skin from damages such as UV rays, dryness and roughness. The lightweight sunscreen is easy to apply and leaves smooth texture. It’s free of UV absorber-, fragrance-, coloring- and alcohol, and can be used for delicate skin, even baby’s skin.

SPF50+/PA+++

Price: 1,650 yen (60 ml) [Shop Online]

7. SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence

SKIN AQUA Tone Up UV Essence (スキンアクア トーンアップUVエッセンス) is a colour-correcting, tinted sunscreen. The light lavender coloured sunscreen lotion contains micro-fine pearl particles and gives the skin luminous glow and brighter complexion while protecting the skin from UV damage. It can be also used as a makeup primer and neutralizes the skin tone. It’s blended skin care ingredients to moisturize the skin.

SPF50/PA++++

Price: 1,000 yen (80 g)

8. &be UV Milk

&be UV Milk (&be UVミルク) is a non-chemical sunscreen that protect the skin gently from UV rays as well as promoting the beautiful, luminous skin. The smooth and moisturized sunscreen milk contains micro pearl particles that reflect lights and provide a bright and shimmer finish. It naturally tones up the complexion and creates the smooth skin. It protects the skin from UV rays and environmental stressors such as pollution, pollen and exhaust gas. Various botanical ingredients are blended to prevent skin irritation and dryness. It’s available with 2 shades: White and Beige.

SPF50/PA++++

Price: 1,800 yen (40g)/2,800 yen (116g)

[Shop Online]
▷ &be UV Milk
▷ &be UV Milk Natural Beige
▷ &be UV Milk (116g)

9. NIVEA Deep Protect & Care Gel

NIVEA Deep Protect & Care Gel (ニベアＵＶ ディープ プロテクト＆ケア ジェル) is a lightweight sunscreen gel that spreads smoothly on face and body, and provides skin care effects while protecting from UV rays. The super-waterproof sunscreen features the 3-dimention UV Film that adheres to the skin evenly and stays on even when contacting with water or sweat. It contains a rich amount of beauty essence that prevents dark spots, freckles and fine wrinkles caused by UV damage and dryness.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 990 yen (80g) [ Shop Online]

10. BIORE Athlizm Skin Protect Essence

Athlizm is an advanced sunscreen line from Biore UV series, designed to provide reliable UV protection under severely hot and humid weather condition. Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence (ビオレ UV アスリズム スキンプロテクトエッセンス) is a moist-touch, watery sunscreen essence which spreads smoothly on the skin. It features Biore’s original “Tough Boost Technology”, enhancing the durability of UV-blocking films against water, sweat and friction. It also features “Micro Defense Formula” that adheres the skin and creates the sun protection veil evenly. It contains skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and royal jelly to keep the skin moisturized. It’s removable with regular face wash or body soap.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,650 yen (70g) [Shop Online]

11. Sekkisei Skin Care UV Gel

SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel (雪肌精 スキンケア UV ジェル) is a sunscreen gel that provides sun protection and skin care effect at the same time. It’s rich in beauty serum and prevents dryness, roughness and dark spots caused by sun exposure. The lightweight, refreshing sunscreen gel spreads smoothly on the skin without sticky or heavy feeling. It contains 80% beauty serum including highly moisturizing fermented Job’s tears extract, which promotes the skin brightness and translucency with each use. The sebum absorbing ingredients are blended, which keeps the skin smooth and helps foundation to sit longer when you use as a makeup primer. It protect the skin from damages caused by UV rays, environmental stressors and dryness.

SPF 50+/PA++++

Price: 2,310 yen (90g) [Shop Online]

12. KISS ME Mommy! UV Mild Gel

KISS ME Mommy! UV Mild Gel (マミー UVマイルドジェル) by ISEHAN is a top selling Japanese sunscreen for children. The product is additive-free (coloring free, no fragrance free, preservative free, alcohol free) and made with 90% food composition that are gentle on delicate and sensitive skin. It also contains natural beauty ingredients that keeps skin smooth and moisturized. It can be used for both face and body, and removed with regular soap effortlessly.

SPF33/PA+++

Price: 990 yen (100 g)【Shop Online】

13. Privacy UV Powder

The sunscreen face powder is an extremely useful item to touch up of your makeup and to give the skin UV protection at the same time. Privacy UV Powder (プライバシー UVパウダー) is a popular powder sunscreen that protect the skin with powerful sunblock effect. It contains sebum absorbing powder that prevents from oily and shiny skin and keeps the skin smooth and silky. The translucent powder can be apply on top of your makeup over and over without feeling too powdery or cakey. It contains beauty ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide and collagen which protect the skin from dryness.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,540 yen (3.5 g) [Shop Online]

14. Country & Stream Natural Honey Lip

Your lips should be taken care from UV damages as much as your skin, so it’s highly recommended to use lip balm with a sunblock effect. Country & Stream Natural Honey Lip (カントリー＆ストリーム UVリップクリーム HM) is a top-selling UV lip balm that protects your sensitive lips from UV rays. It contains 7 kinds of moisturizing ingredients such as honey, royal jelly and shea butter and provides deep hydration to lips. It improves lipstick colour development when you apply as a lip primer.

SPF20/PA++

Price: 550 yen [Shop Online]

15. SHISEIDO Clear Stick UV Protector

SHISEIDO Clear Stick UV Protector (資生堂 クリア サンケア スティック) is a stick type sunscreen for face and body. The water-resistant sunscreen features Shiseido’s original “WetForce Technology” which enhances the effect of the UV protection veil when contacting with water or sweat.  The transparent sunscreen stick can blend smoothly on the skin without leaving sticky feeling. It can be used over or under makeup. It’s light, compact and easy to carry.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 3,080 yen [Shop Online]

Check out new Japanese sunscreen products!

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