Best Japanese Clear Sunscreen Gels

A wide variety of sunscreens are available in Japan and one of the most popular types of sunscreen is gel type. Gel sunscreen is usually light, transparent and non-sticky, easily spreads and absorbs on the skin without leaving white cast. It’s refreshing and can comfortably wear under the hot and humid weather condition. It’s recommended if you are looking for lightweight, clear sunscreens or have oily skin.

Gel sunscreens might have their downsides such as fading quickly comparing to cream or milk type sunscreens and making the skin dry because of their lightness and watery texture. But gel sunscreens have improved so much in the past few years, and many Japanese cosmetics brands produce lightweight yet long-lasting and moisturizing gel sunscreens. Many products contain skin care ingredients, which are recommended for dry skin. The long-lasting type is also suitable to wear under makeup.

If you want to try Japanese gel sunscreen, but don’t know which one to pick, this article may help. Today, I would like introduce some of the best Japanese clear sunscreen gels which you wear comfortably while protecting your skin from UV damage.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

1. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel

Biore UV is a Japanese sunscreen brand, producing highly effective yet affordable sunscreens which are popular both in Japan and overseas. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel (ビオレ UV アクアリッチ ウォータリージェル) is the brand’s top-selling sunscreen that combines powerful UV protection and water-light feel.

The refreshing and watery sunscreen gel spreads easily over the skin and can be worn comfortably without sticky or heavy feeling. It provides long-lasting protection against daily UV exposure and dryness. It features the brand’s original “Micro Defense Formula” with micro UV-cut capsules which covers the skin evenly and creates the UV protection veil. It’s blended with “Light Correction Powder” that gives the skin light-diffusing and brightening effects. It contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and royal jelly extract. It’s super-waterproof but can be removed easily with regular soap.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 877 yen (90ml) [Shop Online]

2. ANESSA Perfect UV Skincare Gel

Shiseido ANESSA is a top-selling Japanese sunscreen brand that has fans all over the world. ANESSA’s sunscreens are known for powerful UV-blocking technology and rich skin care ingredients.

ANESSA Perfect UV Skincare Gel (アネッサ パーフェクトＵＶ スキンケアジェル) is a moisturizing, watery sunscreen gel which has strong UV protection and contains 50% beauty ingredients. It provides light and refreshing feeling and protects the skin from damages caused by UV rays and dryness. It features Shiseido’s advanced “Aqua Booster EX Technology” with the UV protection veil that spreads evenly over the skin and becomes even stronger when exposed to water or sweat. It’s also friction-resistant and prevents from fading easily when rubbed. Despite its powerful durability, it can be removed easily with soap.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 2,640 yen (90g) [Shop Online]

3. ALLIE Extra UV Gel

ALLIE is a sunscreen brand established in 2000 by Kanebo, which is as popular as Shiseido’s ANESSA in Japan. The brand offers high performance sunscreens with strong sun protection and longevity.

ALLIE Extra UV Gel (アリー エクストラUV ジェル) is a lightweight, smooth sunscreen gel that protect the skin from UV damages. It’s super-waterproof and highly resistant to water and sweat. It also features the brand’s original “Super Friction Proof Technology” that creates the durable veil on the skin against daily frictions. It also prevents sunscreen from smudging on 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]

4. KOSE Sports Beauty Sun Protect Gel

Sports Beauty is a sunscreen series by KOSE, producing athlete-tested durable sunscreens for sports or outdoor activities. The brand features the KOSE’s advanced technology using positive and negative ions that bond and create the veil on the skin and protect against UV rays.

Sports Beauty Sun Protect Gel (スポーツ ビューティサンプロテクト ジェル) is a lightweight, non-sticky and moisturizing gel sunscreen that feels comfortable on the skin even when you sweat. It’s highly resistant to water, sweat and rubbing which is suitable for outdoor leisure and activities. It contains beauty ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and jojoba leaf extract to protect the skin from dryness.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,100 yen (40g), 2,200 yen (90g) [Shop Online]

5. SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel

SEKKISEI Skincare UV Gel (雪肌精 スキンケア UV ジェル) is a lightweight sunscreen gel with beauty serum which provides skin care effect while protecting the skin from UV damages, dryness and environment stressors.

The moisture-rich, skin care sunscreen gel features the newly developed “Dry Protect Prescription” which prevents dryness, roughness and dark spots caused by sun exposure and keeps the skin hydrated throughout the day. With a fresh and light texture, it blends into the skin smoothly without sticky feeling. It contains 80% beauty essence including fermented coix seed extract which is highly moisturizing and promotes the bright and transparent skin with each use. It contains sebum-absorbing ingredients that smoothen the skin and enhance the makeup longevity.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,050 yen (40g), 2,100 yen (90g) [Shop Online]

6. CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel

CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV (キャンメイク マーメイドスキンジェル UV) is a moisturizing and fresh sunscreen gel for face and body. It provides a smooth and beautiful finish and moisturizes the skin while protecting from harmful UV rays.

The sunscreen with light and watery formula which glides over the skin effortlessly without sticky or heavy feeling and creates the smooth and dewy skin. It contains 85% beauty ingredients that keeps the skin smooth and hydrated. It acts as a moisturizer, makeup base and sunscreen, so you can apply it right after washing your face. It helps foundation to apply smoothly and last longer.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 770 yen (40g) [Shop Online]

7. Mommy UV Mild Gel

Mommy UV Mild Gel (マミー UVマイルドジェル) is an additive-free, skin-friendly sunscreen gel that are made with 90% food-derived ingredients and can be used safely for kids and adults. It’s not water-proof, but suitable for everyday use for protecting from UV damage without putting burden on your skin.

The gentle formula sunscreen is designed to protect delicate skin from damages caused by daily UV exposure and dryness. It keeps the skin smooth and hydrated with natural moisturizing ingredients and beauty essence including macadamia nut oil, aloe extract, acerola extract and hyaluronic acid. The low irritant sunscreen is free of colorant, fragrance, preservatives, mineral oil, alcohol and silicon. It can be removed easily with soap.

SPF33/PA+++

Price: 900 yen (100g)[Shop Online]

Thanks for reading! I hope this article would help you to a perfect sunscreen to protect against UV rays comfortably! The listed products are commonly sold at drugstores, cosmetics stores and variety shops in Japan, but some products are also available to shop online with international shipping! So if you are interested in these products, go ahead and try them out!

If you are into Japanese beauty products, I’d recommend you to check out the online beauty store Kokoro which offers a wide selection of Japanese beauty products with worldwide shipping. Visit their website (Kokoro: http://bit.ly/32HfNbi) to check more Japanese cosmetics products! Free shipping is available when you spend over 40 USD 🙂

For more information about the latest Japanese cosmetics products, here are some more articles that you may be interested!

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