Shiseido The Perfect Protector SPF 50+/Pa++++ (SEA)
77/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Shiseido The Perfect Protector (SEA) is an SPF 50+/PA++++ sunscreen using a hybrid blend of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide alongside chemical filters such as Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) and Octocrylene. It sets to a matte finish with a low white cast and a lightweight feel, and works as an excellent makeup base, though some users may notice mild stinging. With excellent protection and a low breakout-trigger profile, it is generally a dependable daily option, scoring 76.5.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
98
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +17.1 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #4, UV filter
- +6.4 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #10, UV filter
- +12.8 Octocrylene at #12, UV filter
- +21.6 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #14, UV filter (UVA1 +13.2)
- +19.8 Titanium Dioxide at #15, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- +14.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #24, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +4.2 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #25, UV filter
- β31.3 UVB coverage saturated
- β12 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +4 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
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Health safety
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #12, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
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White cast
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #3
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #15
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +35.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +5.3 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Eye sting
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Octocrylene at #12, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β11 Octinoxate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β3 Octisalate at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β1 Ensulizole at #25, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β8 Fragrance
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Heavy feel
Low
81
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #3
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #15
- +16.8 Volatile alcohol at #5, evaporating texture
- +6.3 Volatile silicone at #6, flashes off
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Fungal acne
Safe
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
- +0 Dimethicone at #1, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
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Fabric stains
High
10
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Octocrylene at #12, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #14, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #43, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 11 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, β¦)
- β 7 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Glycerin at #18, the anchor humectant
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Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 11 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Talc, Silica, β¦)
- β 6 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
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Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 9 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 7 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (47)
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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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 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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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate)
- β 17.1 UV protection
- β 11 migrates into eyes with sweat
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5 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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9 Talc
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 6.4 UV protection
- β 3 migrates into eyes with sweat
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11 Isododecane
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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12 Octocrylene
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12.8 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Supporting ingredient
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 21.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 19.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
18 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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19 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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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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21 Xylitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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22 PPG-17
Supporting ingredient
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 2 wax water lock
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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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Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 4.2 UV protection
- β 1 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
30 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
33 Fragrance
Fragrance
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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35 PEG-6
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Supporting ingredient
-
37 BHT
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
38 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
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Botanical extract
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43 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
Does the Shiseido The Perfect Protector SPF 50+/Pa++++ (SEA) leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low despite the mineral content. It sets to a matte finish with a lightweight feel, so it is generally not chalky on skin.
What SPF is the Shiseido The Perfect Protector SPF 50+/Pa++++ (SEA)?
It is SPF 50+/PA++++, and protection is rated excellent. That makes it suitable for daily and higher-exposure use.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
The matte finish and low pore-clogging profile generally suit oily and acne-prone skin. Some users may notice mild stinging, which is worth keeping in mind around the eyes.