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The world of Japanese sunscreens is huge, with tons of options to choose from for premium UV protection. That being said, it can also be hard to know where to start one’s sunscreen journey with all those options. So, we put together an amazing list of products that we think you’ll love. How do we know you’ll love it? Well, because these products are loved by our own customers, of course!
That’s right—we we took a look at our sales and found our top 10 best-selling Japanese UV protection products, so you know that people just like you are actually using these items! By the way, you can also take a look at our Japanese sunscreen blog for an in-depth look at why Japan makes such great UV care products!
10. A Three-Way Tie!
This Japanese sunscree, made by POLA, is just one of the three in our number 10 spot! Image via Instagram (@pola_bijutsukanmae)
For our number 10 spot, we actually had a three-way tie, with three different UV products tying perfectly in terms of sales! Our tie consists of the Daily Aroma Yuzu Watery Gel, the Attenir Bright & Protect Cream Sunscreen and the POLA Whitissimo Medicinal UV Block Shield White.
The Daily Aroma Yuzu Watery UV Gel, as the name implies, is a gel type sunscreen that has a gentle, hydrating feel. In fact, it’s said that this product melts into the skin, feeling like water (in a good way). Plus, the amazing scent of yuzu, will leave you feeling refreshed.
The Attenir Hidan UV Bright & Protect Cream is an amazing cream-based sunscreen that is made for the face and it has some amazing beauty ingredients. This product is perfect for hydration, bounce and that mochi or glass skin translucency. Unfortunately, we’ve just run out of stock on this one as of the day of writing!
The POLA Whitissimo Medicinal UV Block Shield White combines top UV protection with super smooth application and brightening ingredients to create a powerhouse UV product. Contrary to the use of the word ‘white’, this product is really just a brightening sunscreen with plenty of Vitamin C for even, radiant skin.
9. Cosme Decorte Sun Shelter Tone Up CC
This product provides UV protection and color correction, which people love! Image via Instagram (@decorte_official)
Unlike your usual CC cream, the Cosme Decorte Sun Shelter Tone Up CC is made to both color correct and give the highest level of UV protection! As a CC cream, this product comes in three different colors to help create an even, beautiful makeup base while creating moisturized, radiant skin.
And as a UV protection product, it has SPF50+ PA++++ protection, the highest level, making it a popular two-in-one CC cream choice!
8. Shiseido Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protective Cream
While we love affordable Japanese sunscreens, we also love a bit of luxury UV protection! Image via Instagram (@thefairytalesblog)
While this is probably the sunscreen with the most advanced formula, it’s also quite luxurious. The Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream uses Shiseido’s advanced technology to create a top-strength sun-cream that makes for amazing skin as well!
With a mix of hydrating, brightening and protective ingredients, this cream melts into the skin, helping it to be fresher and more radiant while protecting from external stressors!
Just know that Clé de Peau Beauté is a luxury brand, so this cream is a bit more expensive than the others on this list. But it’s still sold a lot on our site, meaning that they’re doing something right!
7. FANCL Sunguard 50+ Protect UV
FANCL makes tons of products that feel great on the skin, and this UV milky lotion is no different! Image via Instagram (@akifuwa8)
Look—we’re quite a fan of FANCL here, which is why we work closely with them. But the numbers don’t lie. The FANCL Sunguard 50+ Protect UV (and the UV Cream) is a popular and well-loved product!
This popular sun care item melts into the skin without being greasy and is great for everyday use with its sweat and water-resistant formula. It’s overall just a great product that does its job very well!
6. OMI Brothers Sun Bears Active Sunscreen
These cute little bear-themed sunscreens are perfect for introducing your friends and loved ones to sunscreens in general! Image via Instagram (@toraharupon)
This particular sunscreen came as a slight surprise when we looked at the numbers since it’s not from one of the huge Japanese sunscreen brands. However, the OMI Brothers Sun Bears Active Protect Sunscreen—both the Protect Milk and the Protect Cool—came out swinging and is in the middle of our top 10!
These sunscreens are made specifically for our active folks as well as for those who may not be used to wearing products on the face, especially men. Both ingredients feature a moisturizing ingredients, but the Cool version offers a cooling effect for the skin.
So, if you’re looking for UV protection while enjoying sports or the outdoors, this is a great option!
5. Shiseido Sun Care the Perfect Protector
Shiseido's Sun Protector Lotion is already extremely popular overseas, so we're not surprised it's in our top 5! Image via Instagram (@hankyubeauty)
Starting out our top five, we have an extremely popular sunscreen from the powerhouse Shiseido. The Shiseido Sun Care The Perfect Protector is a long-time favorite for fans of Japanese sunscreens, especially during the hot summers.
Made with SynchroShield technology, a combo of their HeatForce and WetForce Technology, this UV protector provides max strength protection that persists even when exposed to heat, sweat or water. In other words, it’s ideal for outdoor or water activities!
Plus, it has a smooth application that leaves a lovely, silky finish that also protects from dryness!
4. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist
This product is great to use for a quick and easy UV protection refresh, and my visiting friends have all loved this product! Image via Instagram (@fuyouu)
This is another one that kind of surprised us. This UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist by Bioré is the only mist product on our list, but it’s all the way in the number four spot! But it’s understandable.
This waterproof UV mist sprays on easy and dries quickly while still leaving the skin looking dewy, hydrated and radiant. You can use it on the face, body and even hair for dewy, moisturizing, high-strength protection!
I personally keep this product in my bag at all times, and it has saved both myself and many of my friends on those days where the sun is just beating down! Just make sure that you’re applying enough to get full coverage!
3. Nivea UV Super Water Gel 50
Fun Fact: You can also find a kids version of this product with SPF 28 strength! Image via Instagram (@shinysiopao)
Now we’re in the top three! You may be wondering what Nivea is doing on a list about Japanese sunscreens, but this comes from Nivea Japan, which makes its own formulas for the Japanese market.
This Nivea UV Super Water Gel is well-loved for its amazing, almost toner-like texture that melts into the skin. Plus, with its skincare ingredients, it also helps to prevent dryness without weighing the skin down!
2. Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk
Anessa is a top-seller in Japan, so it's no surprise it got this high on the list! Image via Instagram (@rouge233)
Next up is our runner-up for MiauMall’s top-selling Japanese sunscreen! That’s right—Shiseido’s Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk is in our number two spot! The Anessa Perfect UV line actually went through an update recently with all new formulas, and it’s honestly their best formulation yet, making it to the top two on Japan’s @cosme 2024 ranking!
Part of the formula has to do with their Auto-Repair and Auto-Booster Technologies, which help the product to fill in any wrinkles or gaps in the UV barrier while also strengthening the barrier when exposed to heat, sweat and water.
People also love how silky smooth it feels going on the skin and the moisture-protecting ingredients that leave the skin with a natural radiance!
The Pikachu packaging features both male and female Pikachus, which you can tell from the tail on the back of the package! Image via Instagram
Actually, the Anessa Perfect UV line would’ve taken up three spots on this list had we not decided to just include the line here. So, definitely check out the Perfect UV Skin Care Gel (for more glow), the Perfect UV Mild Milk (for sensitive skin), and the Perfect UV Skin Care Milk Pokémon edition (for cuteness).
1. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel
Are we surprised that the Aqua Rich series is a bestseller? No. Are we surprised it was this product? A little. Image via Instagram (@kosom_reaksa)
While we’re personally bigger fans of the Aqua Rich Watery Essence, the numbers don’t lie. The Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel is our best-selling Japanese sunscreen by far. The Aqua Rich Watery series is known for its amazingly light UV care products that are perfect for that dewy feel, and this UV gel is no exception.
It’s great for getting high-strength UV protection, moisture-locking ingredients and an amazingly dewy look without white-cast or stickiness! It also spreads on super smooth, filling into any wrinkles and gaps with ease. It’s also super affordable, especially for its amazing quality!
As a darker-skinned person, the Watery Essence is my go-to UV protection product! Image via Instagram (@7ironyanko)
And those are our top 10 sunscreens based on what our actual customers are buying! Feel free to get in on the hype and try one of our own! And definitely leave a comment of some of your own Japanese sunscreen recommendations!
You can get (almost) all of the products listed here at MiauMall along with tons of the best Japanese skincare the country has to offer! Click the banner below to get high-quality items from Japan shipped right to your door!
