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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream versus Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream .

Published on May 29, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 31 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer Japanese Brand Japan
General Moisturizer Japanese Brand Japan

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream

Starts at $48.00
Shop

Buy Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

Starts at $75.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Ppg-3 Dipivalate.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

We don't have a description for Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.

9
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

10
What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.

These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.

Learn more about Alcohol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

11
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.

Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.

Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.

Learn more about Potassium Hydroxide

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.

12
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

You might know this ingredient as a sugar substitute in foods. It is a sugar alcohol with humectant properties.

Humectants attract water to your skin (like glycerin or hyaluronic acid).

Fun fact: Erythritol can be naturally found in some fermented foods.

Learn more about Erythritol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Peg/Ppg-17/4 Dimethyl Ether.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

15
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

16
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.

17
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.

18
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.

19
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.

20
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and anti-aging.

Caffeine is an antioxidants, which help with the signs of aging. This is because antioxidants help fight skin-damaging free radical molecules.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 32.

21
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 53.

22
What it does: Buffering

We don't have a description for Sodium Metaphosphate.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.

23
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 32.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.

24
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Limonene

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.

25
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

26
What it does: Antioxidant, Preservative
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.

27
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.

Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.

Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,

Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.

Learn more about Citronellol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 36.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 41.

28
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract.

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 42.

29
What it does: Perfuming, Tonic
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.

Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.

Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.

Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.

Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.

Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.

2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-

Learn more about Geraniol

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

30
What it does: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.

31
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77491

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 42.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream contains this as ingredient number 48.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

25% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
31% have no rating yet
15% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
34% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream 48 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

6 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

so smooth
this feels so good on my skin, hydrating and lovely. it also doesnt smell which is a great plus

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream 53 ingredients

Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream hasn't been rated yet.
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