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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen versus La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid .

Last updated on October 23, 2023. Published on November 05, 2022

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain 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.

Sunscreen Japanese Brand Japan
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Starts at $12.49
Shop

Buy The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid

Starts at $28.75

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
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (5)

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Rosacea (2)
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 Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 5.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 1.

2

Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 12.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
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 Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 20.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 44.

4
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 Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 38.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 39.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 32.

6
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 Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 44.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid contains this as ingredient number 46.

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

9% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet
20% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating
littleblue03's avatar

littleblue03

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Greasy
Feels super greasy and gross on my face.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 56 ingredients

The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 41 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid.

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