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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body versus Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen .

Published on May 11, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin 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 need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen Japanese Brand Japan
Sunscreen Japanese Brand Japan

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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body

Starts at $17.50
Shop

Buy Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Starts at $12.49

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
40
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 (3)
Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

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)
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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: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.

Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.

Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.

The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:

Learn more about Octocrylene

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

2
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 4.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Emollient, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.

As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.

Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.

Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.

Learn more about Isododecane

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 5.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 17.

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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 7.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

6
What it does: Astringent, Solvent

SD Alcohol 40-B is created by denaturing ethanol with tert-Butyl alcohol and denatonium benzoate. It is a solvent and astringent.

The 'SD' stands for 'specially denatured'. Denatured alcohol means the structure has been altered.

The 40-B is given by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. This is in accordance to the method of how the alcohol was denatured.

This ingredient is a solvent alcohol.

Learn more about Sd Alcohol 40-B

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 9.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 11.

7

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

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

8
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 12.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 14.

9
What it does: Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.

It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.

Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.

Learn more about Disteardimonium Hectorite

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 13.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 27.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning

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

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 16.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 22.

11
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.

Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.

Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.

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

Learn more about Isostearic Acid

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 25.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 29.

12
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Trisodium EDTA.

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 27.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 31.

13
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

14
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 32.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 36.

15
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract.

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 33.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 41.

16
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 34.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen contains this as ingredient number 37.

17
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 Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body contains this as ingredient number 36.

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

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

24% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet
9% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet

Usage

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body 37 ingredients

Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 For Face/Body hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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.

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