20 Best Japanese Sunscreens

Sunscreens are must-have cosmetics product for everyone, especially during summer. Japanese sunscreens are known for being high-quality and affordable and have gained popularity worldwide.

When you think about sunscreens, many of you would imagine of them being sticky, greasy and fading quickly, but that’s not the case with Japanese sunscreens. Japanese summer is extremely hot and humid and to survive the harsh condition, Japanese cosmetics companies make their best effort to deliver amazing sunscreens which are lightweight, non-greasy and has powerful UV protection and longevity.

As Japan’s sunscreen market is massive and very competitive, you can find tons of products in Japan. They come in different formulas, with effects and finishes, so you can choose the product that suits your needs or skin problem.

If you are a fan of Japanese beauty products and want to try Japanese sunscreens, but don’t know which one to pick out of many products, this article might be a great help.

In this article, I’m introducing 20 best Japanese sunscreens from award-winning to budget-friendly. Let’s find the best sunscreen for this summer!

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

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 a top-selling Japanese skin care products of all time. This product is popular not only in Japan but also overseas. The sunscreen features Shiseido’s advanced “Auto Booster Technology” which enhances 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 surprisingly light, spreads smoothly on the skin without leaving white case and can be removed with regular soap easily. It contains 50% skin care ingredients and moisturized the skin.

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 one of the most popular drugstore cosmetics products in Japan. This award-winning Japanese sunscreen is best 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: 1,000 yen (50g) ［Shop Online］

3. ALLIE UV Gel

Along with ANESSA, ALLIE is a popular sunscreen brand known for being effective and high-quality. ALLIE UV Gel (アリー 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 as well as preventing the adhesion of particles like dust, PM2.5, pollen, etc. It contains rich amount of beauty essence to moisturize the skin and gives a natural luster.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 1,980 yen (90g)

4. 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)

5. 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]

6. SKIN AQUA Super Moisture Gel

SKIN AQUA Super Moisture Gel (スキンアクア スーパーモイスチャー ジェル) is a lightweight, super water-proof Japanese sunscreen. It feels light and refreshing, and spreads smoothly on the skin without leaving white cast.

It contains 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid as beauty ingredient and protect the skin from dryness. It has the highest rate of SPF and UVA protection as well as great longevity, but can be removed easily with regular soap.

Price: 800 yen (110g) 【Buy it Now】

SPF: 50+/PA: +++

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.

The product 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.

While 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.

The product 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. NIVEA UV Super Water Gel

NIVEA UV care series offers skin-friendly, affordable sunscreen products for both kids to adults. NIVEA UV Super Water Gel 50 (ニベアUV スーパーウォータージェル 50) is a non-sticky, water-light sunscreen with powerful UV protection. It spreads smoothly on the skin and feels like a skin care toner and you might forget that you are wearing sunscreen.

It contains 75% of skin care ingredients including double hyaluronic acid. It moisturizes the skin and protect from dryness while offering a powerful UV protection. It can be used for face, body and also as a makeup primer. It’s free of mineral oil, artificial color and fragrance.

SPF50+/PA++++

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

13. 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 gives the smooth and dewy finish without stickiness.

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 before applying makeup. It also helps foundation to sit better and last longer.

SPF50+/PA++++

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

14. Shigaisen Yoho Non Chemical Whitening UV Cream

Shigaisen Yoho Non Chemical Whitening UV Cream (紫外線予報 ノンケミカル薬用美白UVクリーム) is a medicated sunscreen cream with skin brightening effect. It suppresses melanin production and prevents dark spots and freckles.

It’s waterproof and helps makeup to stay longer when you apply it as primer. The non-chemical sunscreen is free of UV absorber, colorant, fragrance, mineral oil, paraben and alcohol, which is ideal for sensitive skin.

SPF50+/PA++++

Price: 2,530 yen ［Shop Online］

15. 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 free of additives (coloring free, no fragrance free, preservative free, alcohol free) and made with 90% food composition that is gentle on delicate and sensitive skin.

It also contains natural beauty ingredients to keep the 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】

16. ALOBABY UV & Outdoor Mist

ALOBABY is Japan’s top-selling organic baby skin care brand with a range of additive-free skin care products made of naturally derived ingredients. ALOBABY UV & Outdoor Mist (アロベビー UV&アウトドアミスト) is a 2-in-1 UV protection and insect repellent spray which is ideal for outdoor use. The 100% natural formula organic mist is DEET-free and UV absorber-free.

It’s formulated with natural aroma such as lemongrass and rosemary extracts to protect the skin from insects. The fine mist smoothly spreads on the skin without leaving white cast, and it’s washable with warm water.

SPF15/PA++

Price: 2,640 yen【Buy it Now】

 17. La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL Protection Tone Up

La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL Protection Tone Up (ラ ロッシュ ポゼ UVイデア XL プロテクショントーンアップ) is a tinted face sunscreen/makeup primer that is made of gentle ingredients. La Roche Posay is a French skin care brand so it’s not really Japanese sunscreen but this product is hugely popular in Japan, especially among people with sensitive skin.

The multi-protection sunscreen protects the sensitive skin from UV rays and dryness as well as environmental stressors such as PM2.5 and dust. It naturally covers skin dullness and brightens up the skin tone using light reflection.

Price: 3,740 yen (30ml) 【Shop Online:Tone-up Light/Tone-up Rosy】

18. 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 protects the skin with a 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 applied 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]

19. 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 delivers deep hydration to lips. It enhances the appearance of lip colour when you apply as a lip primer.

SPF20/PA++

Price: 550 yen [Shop Online]

20. 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]

If you are looking for sunscreens with particular effect or for skin type, you can check out more sunscreens by category! Check out the trending Japanese sunscreen products!

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