Sunscreen is something near and dear to my heart, as well as something I run through quite often. When I find a brand that works, I tend to try to stay with it, and I rarely if ever use anything below SPF50 PA+++ Honestly, in our tropical weather and being so near the Equator, I think anything less is just not enough.
But this isn’t going to be a discussion about SPF. I’ll leave that to the experts (which I will not profess to be). I’d just like to tell you about a sunscreen I’ve been hmming and hawing over the past couple of months, a little unsure about how I feel about it. Ultimately, I like it but there are a couple of things that does make me pause when I consider a repurchase.
The sunscreen in question is the Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF 50+ PA+++ which I believe replaces something similar currently in their line up. I have heard a lot of good things about Shiseido sun care products but I never tried them because I’ll be honest, I got confused. They have a range with blue bottles, they have a range with white bottles, and they have loads of sub-brands. Which do I choose?!
Well this is the one I’m using – the one that comes in a white 50ml bottle. The slightly odd bulging shape of the bottle is quite recognizable as coming from Shiseido. And notice how keen Shiseido is to be Perfect in everything they make? Perfect Foundation, Perfect Foundation Brush, Perfect Mascara… and now Perfect UV Protector LOL!
The bottle isn’t a flat white, but has a slight iridescence to it, which is quite nice. Packaging, no matter what anyone says, is as important as performance.
And this one performs very well. It claims to be a very water resistant formula, that shields skin from UVA and UVB rays with SPF50+ and PA+++ protection. On top of that, the formula is light and absorbs very quickly, leaving a matte finish so skin does not feel oily, clogged, sticky or anything that might make you dislike using sunscreen. I must say that it does deliver on many accounts.
You have to shake the bottle before use and the product dispenses through a nozzle. It makes it easy to control so I’m good with it.
When I apply sunscreen, I go by the “1 finger 1 portion of face” method. I squeeze out a generous dollop of product and apply on cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, working area by area. That’s 5 dollops in all applied in sequence, blending in as I go. I am quite particular about it, so I try to make sure that all my skin is covered.
I’ve swatched it here to show you what the lotion looks like (I know, a sunscreen swatch. Whatever next?!)
Straight out of the tube, the lotion is quite thin but not very runny. It will hold its shape as you can see here. The white lotion has a slight iridescent tint to it, but it is very light. When blended into my skin, it disappears. There is no white cast and it does feel matte to the touch. There is no shine either but it does not feel powdery or drying as many sunscreens of a similar texture feel. That’s my biggest concern with Japanese lotion type sunscreens. I tend not to use them because whilst they are light, they have a tendency to be a bit drying and make my skin feel dry and “papery”.
This one does not make my face feel that way so it is very comfortable and here’s another benefit – it is an excellent base for makeup. Seriously, I have no need for any other base, because foundation sits very well on this, and lasts without producing too much shine.
Another way I “test” my sunscreen is to wear it when I know I’m out in the sun or outdoors a lot. I find that with this, my skin doesn’t turn red, nor does it feel hot. My pigmentation also seems to be under control, not multiplying by the day. I also used it on my arms and I noticed that over the past 2 months or so, my arms have stopped tanning. I drive around, so although my face is protected most of the time, I am a bit lax about my arms and they are usually darker than the rest of me. But recently, I noticed that the skin on my arms looked better. Not as tanned and they don’t get blotchy and red when I’m out and about. Win!
So far so good right? Well what’s not so good then?
The scent. There is a light floral sort of scent and a slightly sharp under note that makes me think of alcohol. It dissipates, but it bothered me to the extent that I was hesitant to repurchase due to that sharp note. I’m still weighing it up because I do like how this sunscreen seems to be doing much more for my skin than many previous ones I’ve tried. I put this on a head to head test with a previous fave – Clarins UV Plus HP and I felt my skin burn with the Clarins after an outing, but in similar conditions, this one felt fine. If you are wondering, yes, I applied each on each half of my face so that’s how I knew LOL!
Another thing I’m a bit iffy about is the texture. On my face, it seems to work well. It doesn’t feel too drying and because I use a makeup remover everyday, everything is taken off. But on my arms, its quite a different story. I found after about a week, that soap isn’t quite sufficient to remove it. I could still feel a bit of a “layer” on my skin and water droplets would just slide off. But when I applied a thin layer of oil cleanser to it, then it felt cleaner and water would actually spread on my skin. Also, I found the need to use a body lotion/body oil daily or the skin on my arms would feel a bit dry otherwise. But the skin on my arms look clearer and better and not as tanned! So that’s the other toss up.
I’m one of those who isn’t afraid of sunscreen feeling a bit oily on my skin or of cream based sunscreen. So products like La Roche Posay and Kiehl’s sunscreen work for me even if they turn a little oily over the day. Yet, if I complained about the price of the Kiehl’s sunscreen before (RM140/30ml) then this Shiseido one makes more economic sense at RM130/50ml.
So there’s my conundrum. I like how this performs, in particular in how my skin seems to have benefited from regular use of this – less sun damage, matte feel, does not feel hot after being out in the sun but yet I’m a little iffy about the sharp note in the scent, texture and price. Conundrum indeed!
In a nutshell
The Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF50+ PA+++ is a liquid lotion sunscreen with high sunscreen protection and a light feel on the skin. It leaves no white cast and does not break me out at all which is surprising because it contains zinc oxide. My skin seems to have benefited from using this over about 2 months. Sun damage seems minimized (less tanning), skin does not feel warm after being out in the sun and the texture is very light and comfortable on the skin. It seems to live up to its water resistant claims because droplets of water just seem to slide off my skin. As a result, I have to use a cleansing oil on my arms to ensure the sunscreen is properly removed. Its a bit curious but there you go. I do like this one very much. If I can get over my hang ups I will repurchase when I’m done, because my skin seems to have benefited from it.
Pros: Light texture, Matte feel on skin, Skin does not turn red or warm, Tanning is minimized, Excellent makeup base
Cons: Floral scent with a bit of a sharp note, Pricey for first investment, A little drying on arms
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a sunscreen with high UVA and UVB protection, Anyone who wants a sunscreen that feels light on the skin with no white cast and makes a good makeup base, Anyone who wants a sunscreen that does not make the skin turn oily throughout the day
Here is the ingredient list for those interested.
My primary concern when trying this sunscreen was the presence of Zinc Oxide. My skin dislikes Zinc Oxide and will usually break out when a sunscreen uses this as its blocker. When I started using it, I did experience some minor spots but after 2 months I can safely say its not attributable to this sunscreen because I haven’t had any serious breakouts since. No clogged pores either.
After about 2 months and with daily use on face and arms, I am just slightly over halfway through the bottle. I suppose on a cost-per-wear basis, the RM130 goes a much longer way than other sunscreens in a similar category 🙂
If you didn’t already know, good sun protection products and practices are the best anti-aging treatment you can have. UV rays damage the skin and can cause it to look older than it really is. Till today, I gasp in mild horror whenever someone tells me that they don’t use sunscreen for whatever reason. There are loads of different products with different textures in the market. I’m sure there’s one for everyone 🙂
Do you use sunscreens from Shiseido or have you tried this by any chance? Its been out for a couple of months but as I have noted, it is a revamp of an existing one. I used to be recommended sunscreens by Shiseido everytime I asked but as I said, I never knew which to try. So since I’ve tried this one, I can safely say that it gets the thumbs up for sun protection, provided you get past the scent 🙂
Paris B
Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF50+ PA+++ Sunscreen Price: RM130/50ml Availability: Shiseido counters
I use hada labo, cheap and nice. I use on arm too, consume very fast.
may i know which hadalabo you use for sunblock in the face?
Locally, theres only 1 Hada Labo sunscreen which is the emulsion and can be used on face and body. Heres a link to what it looks like.
It’s good stuff. I’m a fan of it too although I prefer the cream texture. Too bad the cream texture only comes in SPF 30 🙁
Wow! Sounds good!
I shall get my hands on this when I get to HK. I suppose it would be cheaper there!
Not sure about that, but it’ll be cheaper at duty free! 😉 when are you headed to HK then? In time for the summer sales? 😉
I’ll be there in Aug. 🙂
Nice! I believe thats sale time 😉
I’m completely obsessed with sunscreen after darkening by several shades last summer due to 3-hour daily commutes. I’ve been using a Shiseido sunscreen — and while I love how cosmetically elegant it is (no oiliness and no white cast), I still tanned a little bit more. But my current Shiseido sunscreen has a lower SPF factor (38) — so I just might give this a try next after using the La Roche Posay sunscreen I just bought. 🙂
3 hour daily commutes! Wow :O I do find that with lower SPF I will tan a little more so do try the higher SPF and I hope that’ll do it for you 🙂 I do like La Roche Posay too but since it’s so hard to get here where it isn’t sold, I guess I’ll have to stick to this Shiseido one for now 🙂
i was just thinking to myself when i saw the ad on this product in a magazine and i thought i’d like to try it out as i was pretty much attracted to its clean packaging. now after reading your review, i have decided to grab it the first chance i get 😉
Hope you’ve managed to get your hands on this one? In our current weather we need all the help we can get!
I just got the blue bottle one yesterday, the Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF60. I’ll do a review when I get to know it better. But how did you manage to conclude your skin doesn’t like Zinc Oxide? I’d really like to know what my skin doesn’t like.
I was trying a few sunscreens with very high zinc oxide content a few years ago. Zinc oxide is supposed to be the best uv blockers for both UVA and UVB rays but I’d break out after using all of them, from various brands. Sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide was fine. That’s how I eventually worked it out. It’s not common though I found some very few people talking about it online back then.
Hmm, it’s time I checked the ingredients of my so far fave sunscreen which is by Lancome. I’ve been thinking of trying something new and if the ingredients are similar I might just try this….
I think the Lancôme texture is a bit heavier compared to this but it’s been a long time since I used that one 🙂
I haven’t try this but this definitely sounds good to me…
I’ve ordered the Naruko Tea Tree Anti Acne Sunscreen which come with SPF50+++ and lightly tinted…not sure how will this perform on my face though. Hopefully it is doing well on me coz my face generally react to sunscreen… Anyway, got to wait till I finished this (if my face do not react) before I could venture into the Shiseido one.
Haven’t come across the Naruko one but an anti acne sunscreen sounds very interesting!
wow…I so wanna try it right away, Paris 😀 thank you so much for this review…will surely go for this after my current stock is over. btw, how much of the sunscreen do you apply? I mean you said one finger for one portion means one finger length of sunscreen or a large dollop for one half or what???
haha…loved your comparison with clarins…the way you applied both sunscreens on two halves of your face 😀
regd sunscreen on the arms, yes, its very imp to cleanse the arms too…I do that regularly. btw, did one bottle last you for two months??? will check out if its available in India too though I guess it should be.
I use quite a sizeable dollop, about the length of the top phalange of my finger? Something like that. 2 months takes me to about half a bottle so this should safely last me up to 4 months unless I go to the beach in the meantime, where I’ll likely use more 🙂 hope this helps!
so is it like that much on both cheeks and forehead each or for one half of the face??? and, it doesn’t get heavy at all???
I use that much for each part of the face so that makes it 5 dollops in all. Nope, not greasy at all. I do the same with all brands of sunscreen. I have a very high tolerance for grease lol! But this one is exceptionally good and staying more matte.
i love this sunscreen too!! they having a winning texture which is not too thick & agree that it does not feel papery..most importantly no whitish cast on my face, a big YAY for me (being a tanned skin girl, the whitish cast can look so awkward and i always have to waste a bit of time waiting for the sunblock to sit and absorb into my skin before i can apply my foundation)
Happy you like this too and that you knew what I was talking about when I mentioned the papery feel haha! It’s a nice one right?
I have tried the white one tat is 30ml which is said to be for face only, and yes.. I agree with the scent as well. Recently, i got samples of this one and apply one sachet of it to my face, arms and legs for my Sepang Trip… I was impressed as there is no redness but I got a bit tan though after 6 hrs out and about in the sun 🙂 now my existing sunscreen is running low and still considering if I should splurge or try drug store brands… Any recommendations?
Well I like this one, because as you said, no redness on skin. That tells me it’s doing a good job blocking the UVB rays 🙂 from the pharmacy, I like the Hada Labo Emulsion and Loreal UV Perfect. The former is light in texture and the latter is more oily. If you have access to it, I highly recommend La Roche Posay Anthelios but many people find it too oily. I like it though as well as Vichy 🙂
Thanks for all e info, i will probably try hada labo or vichy as i have heard great reviews abt them 🙂
I was eyeing on getting this when Im down to Malaysia in September.But then currently the summer here in Europe is too hot too handle, I can’t wait that long while getting baked and burnt lol! I had a so-so relationship with La Roche Posay Anthelios sunscreen earlier, its a fluid type.But then it did leave a slight whitish cast.Then I discovered Bioderma Photoderm Max spf 50 ultra fluid, hands down! no masky or whitish cast!! Best of all.no breakouts yay! Plus my makeup after this sunscreen looks gook too.
Ooh that Bioderma sounds like a good one! It seems like summer has finally arrived in Europe then? Just a while ago I was reading laments about how cold it still is when it’s already June!
I’ve tried Shiseido’s sunscreen before. While it works well for me, I dislike the white cast after application. I’ve only used a bottle and stopped.
Currently using Biore’s UV Perfect Milk sunscreen SPF50+++ which cost less than RM50 and my face stays matte at least 6 hours. Sometimes when I don’t have time to apply my make up, I will still apply this sunscreen. I can afford the extra minute for sun protection + oil control.
I don’t know about other Shiseido sunscreens but this didn’t leave a white cast 🙂 I haven’t tried the Biore one yet but I hope to soon – its good to know that it works so well at such an attractive price too! 😀
I never use sunscreen..opps..
you might think i am crazy..haha
cos i don’t like a thick layer on my face. and each time i apply, i can see pimples popping out =(
Maybe because i dint really use make up remover to clean them away.
But it is time for me to search a suitable one since i might go to the beaches…
Yes, Stephy do find a sunscreen that will suit your skin because really, sunscreen is the only one true anti aging product. Everything else is just gloss 🙂
Hello! I’m using Kanebo Blanchir White Deep UV Day Protector 60 ml at RM 110. Have u tried this?
And just wondering, is it sufficient to just use cleansing milk (e.g. from Nivea) as a make up remover? I only use sunblock, make up base (from laneige) and concealer wherever needed.
I haven’t used the Kanebo sunscreens but my friend does and loves them. I tried it but didn’t quite like it. As for removal, I’m a huge fan of cleansing oil so I would say that if you use any base makeup or waterproof sunscreen it might be better to use a cleansing oil or at least a proper makeup remover before cleansing, to make sure you get rid of all the residue. But if you feel it’s clean enough using just cleansing milk then of course, don’t let me tell you otherwise 🙂
I have two questions about general spf’s 🙂 One is, do you also have to use cleansing oil to remove spf from usual day moisturizers (containing spf)? Also, there is a shower oil from L’Occitane (almond oil, which is lovely btw!) do you think we can use it to remove spf from body, I don’t want to use my regular cleansing oil to remove spf daily ‘cuz it is very expensive for me and I don’t want it to finish quickly 🙁
Hi Casey actually I’m not sure about how some sunscreens stick to the skin but I do find that a cleansing oil removes stuff off my skin much better than a normal cleanser can. But as I use makeup daily for work, I use a cleansing oil daily (except for weekends). For the body, I now use something lighter (Biore sunscreen) which doesn’t seem to leave a cast like the Shiseido one (It got too expensive to use this daily on the body) I actually don’t know how the L’Occitane will work on it – but I do love the almond shower oil – omg! Such decadence! 😀
Paris,
thanks for this blog on sunscreens – I’m fighting with myself which one to choose but now i’ve got an idea.
BTW, have you heard of Innobloc sunscreen – could you make a review of this please? that would be appreciated…Thank you..
Kai
Thank you, but I’ve never heard of Innobloc before. If I ever try it, I’ll be sure to review it 🙂
Hye sweety paris B… i agree with u. Realy fall in love with this sunbolck.. in skincare regime i always mix n match due i have unpredictable skin condition sometimes can b too much oil.. sometimes tend to dry. I also having unbalanaced hormone problem. So hard to find corect skin care. F.y.i for cleanser im using agless range from image n mix with clinique cleanser. Toner using clinique also dermawhite toner n antiblemish toner using alrernate depend on skin condition then folow with sk2 f.t.e then celemunition essence. For moisturizer im using clinique yelow lotion n gel cream dermawhite.. i have to blend it together since unpredictable skin condition lol… lastly shiseido sunblock spf 50…. ???????????????? my dear p.B im confiuse in d catalouge they printed spf 50 pa++++ or pa+++???
Hi Myra, glad you’re a fan of this sunscreen too! I believe you’re right. It should be PA++++ but I don’t believe it makes a difference because as far as I know, PA+++ is the maximum rating for UVA blockers. Maybe the extra + was as emphasis like SPF50+ 😛
Is that anyone here trying obagi sunblock spf50 from nuderm???
I have but it broke me out very badly so I don’t have anything good to say about it.
I was surveying for a good sunscreen as the weather in Kuching is getting hot and i found this last month. Bought it and after trying it for a month im so happy with the result. When i use it, my skin no longer sting for the exposure to sun compared to other brand ( I had laser surgery to fix my acne scar problem). Thanks for this wonderful review, so glad i found my HG sunscreen
this contains isopropyl myristate which is highly comedogenic. I bought before seeing the ingredients and now I dare not use it on my face 🙁