Shiseido Senka Perfect UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++
85/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Shiseido Senka Perfect UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++ is a chemical sunscreen on a hybrid blend of Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15 and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish and a low white cast, and it does not commonly sting. It is low on pore-clogging and works okay under makeup. With excellent rated protection and a high score of 85/100, it is a strong essence-style daily SPF 50.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Excellent
100
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +36 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +22)
- +11.4 Polysilicone-15 at #4, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- β25.5 UVB coverage saturated
- β16.3 UVA2 coverage saturated
- β10.2 UVA1 coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
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Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Essential oils (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil)
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White cast
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 5.3% declared
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #15
- +8 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Eye sting
Low
74
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #7
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Heavy feel
Low
92
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 5.3% declared
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Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #3, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #25, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #7
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Talc)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #10, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #28, hyaluronic family
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Talc)
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #7
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 1 1 slippy emollient esters (Cetyl Ethylhexanoate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #7), 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 7.5 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (35)
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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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 5.3% declared
- β 8 5.3% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 36 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Polysilicone-15)
- β 11.4 UV protection
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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6 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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7 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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8 PEG-8
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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10 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
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Colorant or pigment
-
16 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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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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21 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Supporting ingredient
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Plant oil, an emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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25 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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26 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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27 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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29 Sericin
Supporting ingredient
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30 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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31 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
Is Shiseido Senka Perfect UV Essence any good?
It scores 85/100 with excellent rated protection. With a low cast, low pore-clogging and lightweight feel, it is a strong essence-style daily SPF 50.
Does the Shiseido Senka Perfect UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++ leave a white cast?
No, it commonly leaves a low white cast. It is a chemical-led essence with a balanced finish and only a small amount of Zinc Oxide.
What SPF is it?
It is SPF50+ with PA++++, indicating high UVB and strong UVA defense. Rated protection is excellent.