Shiseido Future Solution Lx Universal Defense Spf 50+ Sunscreen
59/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Shiseido Future Solution LX Universal Defense SPF 50+ is a hybrid sunscreen mixing the chemical filters Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene and Benzophenone-3 with the mineral filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, an older filter approach. It has a matte, lightweight finish with low white cast and a low tendency to clog pores, though it may sting somewhat near the eyes. With good protection but a lower score of 59.3/100, it is a luxury option whose rating is held back by its older filter set.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
76
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #2, UV filter
- +22 Benzophenone-3 at #3, UV filter
- +38.9 Zinc Oxide at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +17.1)
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #47, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- β23.3 UVB coverage saturated
- β8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Low
7
- +100 Starting score
- β70 Oxybenzone at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β12.6 Octinoxate at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #2, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
π€§
Allergens
Low
61
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β9 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 15.4% declared
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #47
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +29 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Octocrylene at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Oxybenzone at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β1 Volatile alcohol at #39
- β8 Fragrance
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
73
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 15.4% declared
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #47
- +4.8 Volatile hydrocarbon at #6, flashes off
π
Fungal acne
Low
88
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate)
- +0 Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate at #17, ferment, disputed Malassezia trigger (not penalized)
π
Fabric stains
High
10
- +100 Starting score
- β20 Oxybenzone at #3, yellow stains on white cotton
- β15 Octocrylene at #2, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #48, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β10 Zinc Oxide at #4, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #8
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Talc)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 2 Zinc Oxide at #4, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #11, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate at #18, hyaluronic family
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Talc)
- β 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Volatile alcohol at #8
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 5 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #8), fast, even canvas
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer)
- β 3 High mineral load at #4 greys under foundation (tinted)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (49)
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.
-
Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 12.6 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Legacy UV filter (Oxybenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 22 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 20 yellow stains on white cotton
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide)
- β 38.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 42 15.4% declared
- β 30 15.4% declared
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
11 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Botanical extract
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
23 PPG-17
Supporting ingredient
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
pH adjuster
-
33 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
34 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
36 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
37 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
39 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
pH adjuster
-
41 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
42 Talc
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Colorant or pigment
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
46 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
48 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
49 Mica
Colorant or pigment
Is the Shiseido Future Solution LX Universal Defense good?
Its protection is rated good, but it scores 59.3/100, with the rating held back by its older filter set. It is a luxury option that performs adequately rather than topping the charts.
Does the Shiseido Future Solution Lx Universal Defense Spf 50+ Sunscreen leave a white cast?
No, it commonly leaves little to no white cast despite containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Its matte finish helps it wear clear on most skin tones.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid, mixing the chemical filters Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene and Benzophenone-3 with mineral Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.