Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF 50+
74/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream is an SPF 50+ hybrid sunscreen pairing chemical filters octocrylene and avobenzone with titanium dioxide and modern options Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus. It finishes matte and lightweight with low white cast, and it rates excellent as a makeup base with low pore-clogging risk. Protection is good. With a score of 74.2/100, it is a refined everyday facial sunscreen that sits well under makeup.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
80
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- +18 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #13, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- +14.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #26, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +10.8 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #27, UV filter (UVA1 +6.6)
- β7.2 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #13, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
65
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β14 6 declared fragrance allergens
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7.5 Titanium Dioxide at #10 (nano)
- +0.5 Coated minerals (Hydrogen Dimethicone)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
43
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Avobenzone at #13, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
- β8 Fragrance
- β8 6 declared fragrance allergens
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Heavy feel
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #10
- β2 Microcrystalline Wax at #31, wax film
- β2 Paraffin at #34, wax film
- β1 Paraffinum Liquidum at #29, heavy oil
- β1 Hydrogenated Polydecene at #18, heavy oil
- +4.8 Volatile alcohol at #2, evaporating texture
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Myristate at #12, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
Medium
72
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate)
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Myristate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
High
27
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Avobenzone at #13, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #27, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β5 Titanium Dioxide at #10, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 11 5 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Hydrated Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, β¦)
- β 3 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Glycerin at #21, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #54, hyaluronic family
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 10 5 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrated Silica, β¦)
- β 3 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
- β 4 2 slippy emollient esters (Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate)
- β 1 Occlusives seal moisture in (Paraffinum Liquidum)
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 11 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 4 Transfer-resistant grip resin, holds makeup
- β 1 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +6 3 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (55)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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2 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 high up speeds filter migration
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 5 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 18 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 3 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 28 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 heavy oil
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 2 wax water lock
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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21 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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22 Isododecane
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 14.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 10.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 1 heavy oil
- 1 β dewy occlusive
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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34 Paraffin
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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35 Fragrance
Fragrance
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36 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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37 Talc
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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38 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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39 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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40 Limonene
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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41 Linalool
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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42 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Supporting ingredient
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44 PEG-6
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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45 Citronellol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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Botanical extract
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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49 Citral
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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50 Geraniol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Botanical extract
Can I wear Shiseido Expert Sun Protector under makeup?
Yes, it is rated excellent as a makeup base. The hybrid formula wears matte and lightweight with low white cast, so it sits well under foundation.
Is the Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF 50+ mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid, pairing chemical filters octocrylene and avobenzone with titanium dioxide plus modern filters Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus.
Is this a good sunscreen?
It scores 74.2/100 with good protection. With low pore-clogging risk, a matte finish, and excellent makeup compatibility, it is a refined everyday facial choice.