May 20, 2014

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face

When I run out of my typical Japanese gel SPF I turn to Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face. When possible I try to order five tubes of Kanebo Allie Extra UV Gel Mineral Moist SPF 50 PA+++ so I won’t be without it. Recently, I got down to my last tube before reordering so I had to grab up my age old Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face.

I’ll be honest, it’s HEAVY….! But it’s effective.

If you’re looking for a water resistant SPF that’s wears long and strong on the hottest, most humid days I’d highly recommend Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face but be prepared to deal with its heavier texture. I typically use a fast absorbing gel formula SPF under my makeup and I’m very, very spoiled with Japanese brands that have perfected this formula. I’ve actually yet to find an SPF as good here in the US.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face is something I’ve used religiously though particularly when I’m out and about for a longer amount of time and around water. This is a very heavy cream SPF which you have to practice extreme patient with. The texture is creamy and quite moisturizing but it does in fact have a white cast which disappears as it sets (it takes about 5 or more minutes for it to absorb fully and set after application so that the white cast disappears and the product fully absorbs into skin). My drier skin doesn’t mind the texture as it doesn’t cause any oil or shininess. I’ve always find you have to practice patience with this formula for it to work well for you. It’s something I apply after my shower and prior to getting dressed or doing my hair as that gives it plenty of time to settle into my skin.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face swathes

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face Swatches

The reason I like it is because it wears very strongly in warmer weather and in water at the beach or pool. As much as I love my gel SPF most aren’t water resistant where as Shiseido’s formula is. It’s a much beloved favorite as well since I don’t have to wait for airmail or do an online order for it etc as it’s easy enough to grab a tube at Macys or Sephora.

I wouldn’t say it’s my end all choice for sun protection as I have many other formulas that absorb far faster sans the scary white face effect. It is however, a hard worker in humid or wet environments. So if you’re going to be at the beach or the pool and want to keep your skin not only protected but preventing it from being burned Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face is a good way to go.

Tried it?

Do share your thoughts!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Elena

    I love Shiseido sun products. They’re definitely heavy duty!

    I’m addicted to my Biore Perfect Face milk 50+++ but, like you, when I don’t reorder in time, I turn to my Shiseido.

  • Ryou

    Hi Musey, did you notice if this sunscreen stings your eyes at all? Also, how did it behave under make-up? (concealer especially)

    I was planning on getting a small tube of this just for use around my eyes, since it’s gotten quite dry recently. I have their Sun Protection Eye Cream that’s I find stings my eyes, so I was wondering if this one is better.

    Thank you! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      hi ryou! gosh thank god no! I HATE that! it’s good under makeup for my drier skin BUT you need to really let it set prior to makeup application. Massage it in well and allow it to fully absorb. I find my makeup slides away if I apply it too quickly after I use this. So def plan ahead when using it 🙂 I didn’t have issues with stinging, that’s def my pet peeve with SPF hate that! hope this helps!

    • Kathy

      My husband uses this and loves it because it does not run into his eyes or sting, even when he gets VERY sweaty (he’s a golfer).

      • Ryou

        Thank you for the replies! This sounds like it may fit the bill, then. Yay! 😀

  • Bonnie

    Hi Muse: Unlike you, I have very oily skin (I mean really, really oily) and the only SPF product that I can use (I actually love it, so that’s OK) is Paula’s Choice RESIST SuperLight Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30. I like it because it provides a mattifying effect, looks great under foundation, and is not tested on animals. I buy several tubes at a time. It goes on and disappears into skin. I just love the lightweight texture and the broad-spectrum protection.

    I have to also say how much I appreciate that it’s not tested on animals. I used to use Clinique’s City Block but I can’t use that now, knowing that animals were harmed in the making of that product.

    Thankfully, there are some great companies out there that do not test on animals so I don’t have to curtail my weekly hauls!

    • Isabella Muse

      hi bonnie thanks for sharing! I wish Paula’s Choice had a higher level of protection, i feel the need to reply often with a 30! but glad to hear it’s a great product 🙂

  • Iris

    I’ve used the face and body formula from this line. It works wonderfully and kept my skin protected even while I spent a few days in Vegas.

  • nakwon

    I’ve used the face and body 60+++ version when it was still available and that sucker is strong! I spent 6hrs+ playing tennis on a 100degrees+ day and I did not get burn or a slight tan.

    I did notice that this is a cream while the old face and body version is a milk formula. Do you know if the new face and body version is also a cream formula or a milk formula?

    • Isabella Muse

      they actually have both my dear milk or cream…! I just prefer the cream because for some reason milk SPF makes me break out a bit! :-/ But I totally agree, it’s a really hard player if you spent a good deal of time outdoors!

  • Alice

    I really like Shiseido for SPF. Their SPF does sting or break me out like other brands. I have oily acne prone skin and I use Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil- Free UV Protector 42. This is the milk formula. It leaves a silky matte finish. It also works like a primer. I just wish it came in a bigger size like the Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Plus SPF 50. I also love and use their Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32. I have contacts and I always have had a problem with SPF stinging my eyes, until now.

  • Mishka

    This became my holy grail sunscreen in 2008 when I went on a cruise and used this on my face, and something else on my chest and body. Everything else burned BUT my face.

    I should also mention that I have very sensitive skin, that is also combo oily/dry (and can break out if exposed to the wrong products), but this caused no issues.

    Even the milk didn’t protect as well as this baby does ( my last beach excursion included a very burnt set of shoulders/back because the milk wasn’t particularly water resistant).

    I live in a very humid area, and summer is brutal. This has been my go-to choice for swimming, working/playing outside, and under tinted moisturizer.

    As I’ve aged a bit, I find that the heaviness is uncomfortable to keep layered under my tinted moisturizer (Too Faced) during a full day of classes or at work, so on those days I’ve switched to Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. It’s lightweight enough to layer under the TM, and a little bit mattifying. I just have issues on days when my skin is dry…:(

    My boyfriend recently brought back a large bag of goodies from a Shiseido duty free @Narita, so I get to try the Anessa Perfect UV sunscreen 50+… I’m excited to see how the two compare to each other!!

    • Isabella Muse

      you’re going to really love the anessa, it’s a great SPF! Kanebo Allie is also an incredible gel moisturizer that absorbs easily and wears well under makeup and isn’t as heavy as this particularly formula! Hope you you the Anessa Mishka!