The year is coming to a close, and what a crazy year it’s been! So much has happened and we’re honestly so ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the New Year’s holiday. But we have one thing stuck on our mind despite the lowering temperatures in Osaka—sunscreen. Frankly, we’re worried about whether or not you all are wearing sunscreen.
We know that the world of Japanese sunscreens is huge, with tons of options to choose from for premium protection from those pesky UV rays. So as a sort of winter holiday gift to you, we’re keeping you updated on the UV care 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 and are our bestsellers!
The same as our mid-year report, 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! And don’t think that this is just a repeat of the mid-year report. We’re surprised how things shifted around in just six months!
Also, for more in-depth info on the world of Japanese sunscreens, including how to choose the right one for you, you can also take a look at our Japanese sunscreen blog!
And if you're looking for any of these sunscreens or any of the other amazing UV care products Japan has to offer, then check out our Japanese Sunscreen collection!
10. OMI Brothers Sun Bears Active Sunscreen
We start our list off with a super cute sunscreen that is often seen on lists recommended for sporty folks and men's skincare! Image via Instagram
When we first made our mid-year report, we were pretty surprised to see this sunscreen at number six since it’s not one of the huge skincare brands. However, the OMI Brothers Sun Bears Active sunscreens are both popular among our customers (despite dropping down to tenth). Both variants, the Protect Milk and the Protect Cool, have been very popular among our customers—for good reason!
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 versions feature moisturizing ingredients, but the Cool version offers a cooling effect for the skin, making it perfect for summer.
So, if you’re looking for UV protection while enjoying sports or the outdoors, this is a great option!
9. Kose Suncut Multivitamin UV Essence
This is a great choice if you want a side of radiance with your sunscreen, and is actually new to our list! Image via Instagram
This is a brand new addition to our list! Coming in at number 9 and replacing the Cosme Decorte Sun Shelter Tone Up CC is the Kose Suncut Multivitamin UV Essence! This newbie (to our list) is from Kose, which is known for the tons of beauty products they’ve put out over the years.
This particular sunscreen is packed with moisturizing multi-vitamins to create a combo of high-strength UV protection and healthy, radiant skin. The moisturizing ingredients also helps to prevent wrinkles from rough, dry skin as well as sun damage! Last, this “super waterproof” UV essence is suitable for both the face and body and is usable under makeup!
8. Shiseido Anessa Brush On UV Cut Powder
This is a unique entry in the fact that it's a powder that you brush onto your face, perfect for when you hit the powder room for a makeup fix-up! Image via Instagram
While this spot initially belonged to the super luxurious Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protective Cream, it’s been taken over by Shiseido’s Anessa Brush On UV Cut Powder! This is our only powder product on this list, but it comes from the Anessa line which is a very popular UV protection series in Japan and for J-beauty enthusiasts (especially after their new formulas came out)!
This UV Cut Powder is meant for added UV protection as you refresh your makeup throughout the day. It has the maximum strength, so you’re really getting some extra help every time you fix your makeup! And because it’s a powder, it doesn’t have any stickiness and can go lightly over your makeup, leaving a natural finish with its translucent beige color!
Plus, it has a lovely fruity floral scent for that relaxing experience!
7. Nivea UV Super Water 50 Gel
Nivea may not be a Japanese company, but they create tons of Japan-exclusive products including this sunscreent that sits at number 7! Image via Instagram
In a surprising upset for the rankings, summer’s Nivea UV Super Water Gel has fallen from second place down to number 7! Like we mentioned in our July report, Nivea is not a Japanese company, BUT Nivea Japan is its own entity, making its own Japan-exclusive formulas and products.
The UV Super Water 50 Gel is well-loved by both Japanese and non-Japanese folks alike. Many highlight the amazing, almost toner-like texture that melts into the skin. It’s also popular for its skincare ingredients that help to prevent dryness without weighing the skin down!
6. Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Mild Milk
Anessa is a really popular brand and has scored tons of collabs. This particular collab saw two characters of the Doraemon cast on the front of each bottle! Image via Instagram
Just outside of our top five is a variant of Shiseido’s Anessa sunscreen—their Perfect UV Mild Milk. Like we mentioned, Anessa is an extremely popular UV care line by Shiseido, and their Perfect UV reformulation has taken the Japanese beauty world by storm!
This, however, is a variant. The Mild Milk is formulated with sensitive skin in mind. It has a light feel that protects the skin from UV rays without being a burden on the skin. It also has a hypoallergenic formula, free of additives, fragrance, color and alcohol, perfect for avoiding irritation from those with sensitive skin! It’s also suitable for the face and body and can be used as a makeup base!
5. FANCL Sunguard 50+ Protect UV
It took me a while to come around on this particular sunscreen, but the formula is solid and left my hands and arms feeling silky soft.
FANCL is moving up in the world as evidenced by the fact that it moved up from 7th in July to 5th here! As we’ve said before, we’re FANCL fans here at MiauMall, and it looks like there were plenty of fans among our customers as well, with the FANCL Sunguard 50+ Protect UV (and the classic version) being one of their standouts!
This popular mineral 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, reliable, alcohol-free product that does its job very well, which is why so many love it!
4. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Mist
The Bioré UV Aqua Rich Mist is only one of two products on our list that stayed in its exact spot from six months ago! This UV Aqua Rich Mist by Bioré is also the only mist product on our list, but it’s all the way in the number four spot!
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! Just make sure that you’re applying enough to get full coverage!
3. Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk
Anessa is also known for their Pokémon collabs, including both male and female Pikachu designs and some of the starters! Image via Instagram
Now we’re in the top three! For the third time, Shiseido’s Anessa is on the list with the Perfect UV Skin Care Milk! This sunscreen was already good, but after their reformulation two years ago, it shot up in popularity, especially on sites like @cosme, Japan’s beauty product ranking website. However, in our ranking it dropped one down from its number two spot!
The Perfect UV Skin Care Milk is known for its UV-blocking strength and 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!
It also melts into the skin and is even great for wrinkle-prone areas like around the eyes and forehead with long-lasting moisturizing ingredients to boot! You can use it on your face or body and can even be used under your makeup!
2. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
As a dark-skinned J-beauty lover, this is honestly an amazing pick that gives a silky smooth feel. Writing this caption reminded me to reapply after lunch.
You’re almost to the top of our list! The Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is the runner-up for MiauMall’s top-selling Japanese sunscreen, beating out the Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk! Honestly, we’re happy to see it on the list now as it’s many of our staff’s go-to sunscreen!
This UV essence offers maximum protection with a layer that melts into the skin and acts as a UV-blocking second skin. It also has a moisturizing water base that stays silky smooth all day without being sticky that helps to create dewy, radiant skin. This Watery Essence is “super” waterproof, is applicable on the face and body, and can be applied as part of your makeup base (especially for those “natural look” days).
1. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel
And we've reached our number one spot! This mineral sunscreen is at the top of our list yet again (and it wasn't even close). Image via Instagram
Again, in the same spot as it was six months ago is the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel! In fact, it’s our best-selling Japanese sunscreen by far, selling more than the Watery Essence and the Perfect UV Skin Care Milk combined! Although I personally prefer the Watery Essence, the UV Gel offers the same UV care with that dewy feel and finish.
It’s great for its 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. Add in the fact that it’s super affordable, and you have all the ingredients for an amazing, popular Japanese sunscreen!
And those are our top 10 sunscreens based on what our actual customers and what they’re buying! Feel free to get in on the hype and try one of your own!
