Versus

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen Versus Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ - Lavender

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Japanese Brand Japan
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on November 12, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and silicones

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

This ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.

Abrasive, Absorbent

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
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Learn more about BHT
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

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

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

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

When to use

109 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
194 Routines
97% use in am
3% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Expensive (1) Heavy (1)
yow's avatar

yowcza

1 month ago
Review

not a bad sunscreen, works pretty good but very thick. i would only recommend if u have dry and aren’t acne prone since i feel my skin did get small bumps on my forehead. the fragrance didn’t irritate my skin which was surprising and didn’t burn my eyes or nose area. i used on my arms which was very thick and left me greasy but did protect me from the sun! it’s decent sunscreen but there are Show more

#expensive
#broke me out
#heavy
#oily
littleblue03's avatar

littleblue03

1 year ago
Review

Greasy
Feels super greasy and gross on my face.

Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 33 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 6 ratings
Works Well (4) Light Scent (2) Absorbs Well (2)
daniellevarosa's avatar

danielle varosa

11 months ago
Review

Love this sunscreen- it's so smooth, lightweight, not sticky or drying at all. I also find that the violet color helps my skin not look too sallow and it prevents my makeup from looking yellow.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#works well
www's avatar

www

1 year ago
Review

It gave me tiny bumps of a broken skin barrier, dried out my cheeks completely, had to focus on barrier health.
One of the first ingredients is alcohol, RUN!
SO IRRITATING
However it doesn't leave a white cast and does color correct skin.

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating
#sticky