We all know that it’s important to shield your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. But sometimes sunscreens are so sticky and gross-feeling, especially on those humid summer days.
For about 4 years straight, I religiously used the Neutrogena Moisture Oil-Free SPF 15 lotion each morning. It wasn’t because I loved it. More like just because it didn’t make me break out and because I couldn’t find anything better.
For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt to find a non-greasy face sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. I really want to ramp up my protection because SPF 15 isn’t good enough.
After doing a lot of research online, I came across the Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body. (This is a Canadian product that isn’t to be confused with the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60, which comes in a very similar bottle and is for sale in the US.)
It costs a pretty penny, but I figured that when it comes to skincare, you shouldn’t skimp. And the sun is getting stronger and stronger each year with the ozone layer being depleted, so it’s becoming more important to protect your skin to not only avoid premature aging, but (more importantly) to prevent skin cancer.
I am in love with this stuff, and I believe that I’ve found my holy grail sunscreen!
Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body Pictures
The back of the bottle & the back of the box show the expiration date.
Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body Swatch
Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body Ingredients
Claims: TRUSTED, Special Note: HOLY GRAIL STATUS!
- √ Very water-resistant
√ Nourishing sunscreen that defends against UVA & UVB rays
√ Perspiration-resistant
√ Smoothes on evenly
√ No sticky or filmy feeling
√ Invisible on skin even after repeated applications
Key Notes
- Name: Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body
- Amount: 100 mL
- What I Paid: $49 CAD
- Where to Buy: Canadian Sephora store (It’s not available on the US Sephora site or in US Sephora stores.)
Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body Review
Fragrance
I’m pretty picky when it comes to fragrance because my skin is sensitive and sometimes strong scents not only are nose assaults, but they also cause skin irritations. This Shiseido sunscreen isn’t fragrance-free, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
It smells like a floral perfume. I’m not big on most florals, but this scent doesn’t bother me. It’s not pow-hit-you-in-the-face strong, but it’s not too faint, either. I prefer this scent over the typical sunscreen smell, which I find really repulsive. Annnnd….my sensitive skin didn’t suffer any irritation from it. Yay!
Formula & Consistency
What I love the most about the formula is that it’s extremely lightweight. Most sunscreens with an SPF above 30 are really greasy, sticky, and heavy.
The Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 For Face/Body is not greasy, sticky, or heavy at all. It’s a thin, runny lotion that is milky white and very easy to spread evenly.
Application
Before dispensing, you’re supposed to shake the product up well prior to each use. There’s a mechanism inside the bottle that helps stir up the product. It makes a little noise when you shake it, and maybe it’s the little kid in me (probably!), but I actually have fun shaking it and hearing this noise. 😛
When you smooth this onto your face or body, it absorbs very quickly into your skin and doesn’t leave behind a nasty film that most drugstore sunscreens do.
I apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) every morning onto my face. When it’s really sunny or if I’m going to be outside for an extended period of time, I’ll also apply some onto my neck and arms.
Sun-Protection Efficacy
While wearing this Shiseido sunblock, I haven’t got sun-burnt or even suntanned, so I assume that it’s doing its job.
How Does It Work Under Foundation?
I like to wear a loose mineral foundation, so I require a sunscreen that won’t ball up or leave too slick a surface for my makeup to adhere to.
I was so thrilled when I first tried this Shiseido sunscreen because after you apply it, it doesn’t leave behind shine like all the other sunscreens I’ve tried. It leaves your face relatively matte – a very natural type of matte. Afterwards, I applied a face primer. I’ve found that the Make Up For Ever HD High Defintion Primer works exceptionally well with this sunscreen and my mineral makeup. This is going to be my new favourite combination!
This sunscreen actually helps to control the oiliness in my T-zone! I was really surprised because it wasn’t billed to do anything about that. I think it keeps your face naturally matte because the formula is perspiration-resistant and water-resistant.
Removal
This stuff really adheres to your face. It’s kind of crazy! To remove it completely when you wash your face, I suggest using a quality waterproof makeup remover first and then your usual facial wash. If you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for clogged pores.
Packaging
It comes in a cute, asymmetrical bright blue bottle with an egg-yolk-coloured flip-up cap. I really like this design because it’s easy to get the product out.
|
|
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
I only took off half a point from the Final Verdict score because the price for this Shiseido sunblock is through the roof! Even so, I will definitely be repurchasing this because not only do I feel good about protecting my skin with a super-high SPF level, but I can use it on my face and/or body, it controls my combination skin, it helps prime my skin for makeup, and it feels lightweight and non-greasy.
This is my holy grail sunscreen! Highly recommend it if you’re able to afford it!
What is the most you’ve ever spent on a skincare product? What is the highest SPF you’ve ever worn? Do you wear sunscreen on a daily basis?
I haven’t been wearing sunscreen religiously (boo me) altho I have jumped on the bandwagon recently. I like the idea of a moisturizer with sunscreen (combining 2 steps!) so I tried out the new Aveeno line that had spf30 and for extra protection, I layer on the Aveeno facial sunscreen of spf45. Been using it for a couple months now and it seems great, altho you definitely have me wanting to try this Shiseido one.
I love all things Shiseido (been using their skincare line for a while now) so it’s a wonder I haven’t tried this. Will definitely pick this up soon!
Also, for anyone else who’s in the GTA, Shiseido has bi-annual warehouse sales (around May and November). No dates yet tho, since it’s still pretty early. Will update once I know. 🙂
Hey Carmela!
It’s good that you’ve decided to start wearing sunscreen regularly. Your skin will thank you later on down the road. 🙂
If you really do end up trying the Shiseido sunscreen, just know that it isn’t a moisturizer – just a sunblock. I think it’s best for people who have combination to oily skin because it seems to keep the oilies under control. Those with dry skin will find it very drying by itself.
Oh, what other Shiseido products have you tried and loved? This is the first one I’ve ever tried (mainly because their stuff is expensive), but if their other products are effective, I think it’s worth it because good skincare is important.
And I had no idea about those warehouse sales. Yes, please keep me updated because I’m pretty interested! 😀
It’s that mattifying thing that has my combination skin interested. 😉
The Skincare line is awesome. The day & night moisturizers are light and melt into your skin. Not heavy feeling at all but very moisturizing, even better than my old standby Clinique ones! I also love the eye cream and their pillowy cotton wipes. 😀
Their make up is also pretty amazing. Very pigmented lipsticks (they leave a pretty stain so you’re never left with naked lips or that unsightly rim of color) that last ages and are super moisturizing (the only lipstick I would wear all day, really). Their eye shadows are impressive; lasted me a whole (hot and sweaty) day at Centre Island and didn’t even need retouching to take me all the way to dinner that night (I didn’t even use any heavy duty eye primers)!
I’ll definitely let you know once I hear anything. 🙂 It draws huge crowds tho, so be prepared to wait in line for a while. And once inside, know what you want and make a beeline for them as crowds can get a bit crazy in there (esp in the skin care section). I guess it doesn’t help that you can nab Nars cosmetics and perfumes from Issey Miyaki, JPG, etc too. 😉 Also great for Christmas shopping. 😀
The mattifying effect really surprised me since Shiseido doesn’t claim that it helps with that. It works better than even mattifying primers I’ve used in the past! And I’ve tested it out on super-humid days. This stuff is incredible for this reason alone! Add the SPF 50 into it, and it’s easily holy grail material.
Thanks for letting me know. I’m going to try out one of their night moisturizers since I don’t have a good one right now and also because I hate moisturizers that feel like they’re just sitting on the surface of your skin.
Wow, that’s very impressive how you didn’t have to retouch your eye shadow and didn’t wear primer. I’ve never looked into their makeup. Wonder if they contain bismuth oxychloride, though…(I’m allergic to it in eye products.)
Hi..
where i can buy this product shiseido sunblock for face and body please advice..
thank you..
Tara
Hey Tara!
I purchased mine from a Sephora store, but it’s also available online. Not sure where you live, but if you have a department store (like The Bay or Sears), they carry it, too, at the Shiseido counters.
Hi…I am very interested in the Shiseido sun lotion, from all the reviews I read, it seems like an amazing product!
However I have also read it can be quite drying and leave your skin looking really dry and aged looking. Deepening fine lines and parched…So I am wondering did you find that? Or anyone else who have used this sunscreen?
Just curious…thank you! I love Shiseido, and have used their products for years…I use their sotfner, benefience, creamy cleanaer and bio peformance revitilizer. Everything is amazing, but I don’t know why I haven’t yet used their sunblock cream…strange!
For years I have using La Roche Posay, but I am trying to get away from the chemical sunscreen and more towards the physical sunblock…better protection. And I have read chemical sunscreen causes more free radicals and melasma.
Well thank you for reading and please let me know what you think of the sunscreen over the months or years using it!
Anna
Hey Anna!
It’s definitely an amazing sunscreen! It’s not sticky at all, and it doesn’t have that typical sunscreen smell. It even works well as a makeup primer. Plus I’ve really put it to the test before this review and long after I wrote this. 🙂 It really protects my skin from the sun. In situations where I would’ve burned or even got a sun rash, this prevented it all!
As for it being drying, well, if you have combination-to-oily skin, it will have a mattifying effect that isn’t uncomfortably drying. If you have dry-to-very-dry skin, I wouldn’t recommend this because it might actually suck the moisture from you.
On the days when my complexion was drier, I had to make sure to exfoliate well beforehand. I can see how those with dry skin wouldn’t like this at all.
YAY for another Shiseido fan! I’m a huge fan of their skincare. I just started using Benefiance (first anti-aging products I’ve ever used)!
Now I have a question for you because I’ve been curious about trying out their softener. Do you notice a big difference since using it? What difference have you noticed specifically?
Hi,
This is also my HG sunscreen! However, I just found out that Shiseido is pushing a new line (a reformulated version of this!!!) with additional ‘Wetforce’ technology! I’m not sure how I feel about it since the ingredients changed. I’m so scared that my face will break out from the new ingredients. Anyway, I just want to ask whether you’ve tried the new one? I think it’s called Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+ WetForce.
Have a lovely day,
M.E.
Hey Maria!
Same – it’s my Holy Grail sunscreen, too, because it’s not sticky like many sunscreens, and it doesn’t smell like typical sunscreen.
I bought the new Wetforce version of it a few months ago, and I’ve been using it on my face and body. It didn’t make me break out or have any negative side effects, which I’m glad! On the skin, it feels very similar to the previous formulation. The only difference I noticed was very small – the liquid seemed just a tad thicker in consistency than before. It’s still very liquidy, so it’s not like they turned it into a cream.
Thanks! 🙂 Hope your week is lovely!