Top 28 Best Japanese Sunscreens to Buy Online 2021 - Tried and True!

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? We’ve thrown in a few extra suggestions that didn’t necessarily receive top scores but that would work well if used as a makeup base.

Some sunscreens work best by themselves, while others can actually enhance your makeup. Shinseido’s cle de peau Beaute UV Cream is one of those products; it moisturizes the skin and protects it from aging as well as sun damage. La Roche-Posay’s UVIdea XL Tone-up light cream would also work in place of a moisturizer.

Kose’s Sun Cut Tone Up UV Essence comes in a lavender shade that can revitalize dull-looking skin. It has a strong fragrance, though, so be warned if you want to use this on your face. 

The Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence and Lancome’s UV Expert Youth Shield Tone Up Milk also work as a pairing to your makeup. While they’re effective at blocking damaging sun rays, it doesn’t stand up to water or friction.

And why they didn't quite make it.

Most of us have experienced that greasy or sticky feeling of slathering on way too much sunblock lotion. If you’re someone that cares about texture, you might want to read our review before you consider buying. 

While Biore UV’s Aqua Rich Watery Gel is advertised as a gel, we found it to be more akin to a slightly sticky and filmy lotion. Other sticky sunblocks included Kose’s Sun Cut Perfect UV Gel.

We also thought DHC’s Sun Cut Q10 EX and Shiseido’s Sun Medic UV Medicated Sun Protect Ex Milk Gel were a bit oily, and though Natural UV Protection Milk from Neal’s Yard Remedies received top scores in the sun protection department, we found it difficult to blend into our skin unless done thoroughly.

Some sunblocks just weren’t doing their job: protecting us from damaging sun rays. This was the case with Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, which didn’t offer protection from the sun unless blended in well. 

Yuskin S UV Milk SPF25 PA++ has a lower SPF than the other lotions we tested to begin with, but even then it didn’t offer much protection. Skin Aqua’s Super Moisture Gel wasn’t super waterproof or sun-proof, so we’d recommend it if you’re going to be indoors for most of the day.

If you’re going to be active or in the water, you’ll want a sunscreen that can handle it. While we enjoyed how moisturizing Decorte Sun Shelter Multi Protection Sunscreen was, it rubbed off easily with a towel and didn’t stand up to our waterproof test. We’d recommend this for indoor use, perhaps if you’re worried about your skin drying out from air conditioning.

Gel types absorb into the skin like water, and while they’re not as waterproof as other types, they’re easy to wash off. Cream types are suited for those with dry skin as they often contain moisturizing ingredients.