The 10 Best Japanese Sunscreen Brands For Complete Skincare Protection

Sunscreen should be embraced as a year-round essential skincare product, not just used during the summertime, yet the significance of daily sun protection as part of a regular skincare routine is often underestimated.

Beyond seasonal use, Japanese sunscreens provide powerful protection against UV rays, as well as prevention against signs of aging. In this guide, we’ll introduce the best Japanese sunscreen brands and their best-selling products. You can view our full range of Japanese sunscreens here.

Why Use Japanese Sunscreens? Three Reasons To Make The Switch Today

Japanese sunscreens provide effective sun protection with their dual defense against UVA and UVB rays, which can both have a damaging effect on the skin. Unlike most sunscreens produced in the US and Europe, Japanese sunscreens include clear information on the product labels about the protection levels against UVA and UVB rays.

Beyond protection, Japanese sunscreens stand out for their hypoallergenic nature and multifunctionality, often serving as moisturizers and makeup primers. The lightweight, gel-like textures and advanced skincare technology ensure effective and comfortable application, without leaving behind any greasy residue or white cast. If you want to read more about the advantages of using Japanese sunscreen, be sure to check out this article.

Read on to discover the best Japanese sunscreen brands and their most popular products including sunscreen milks, gels, essences, and Japanese sunscreen sticks! 

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brand With Moisturizing Effects

Nivea Japan

Nivea Japan is known for their innovative skincare products that can cater to a range of different skin types. Their range of sunscreens includes water-gel sunscreens that provide optimal coverage and sunscreens containing innovative 3D UV film technology that protects from UV rays and is resistant to sweat and water.

One of their most popular sunscreens is the Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel Sunscreen. This lightweight yet powerful Japanese sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moisturized and protected from dryness caused by UV rays. Our customers love this product for its easy application and lightweight texture, that doesn’t peel, build up on skin, or interfere with makeup.

Another great moisturizing sunscreen option is this hatomugi sunscreen. This hatomugi sunscreen spf 50 is formulated with the highest UV protection standard in Japan, along with moisturizing ingredients such as job's tears and hyaluronic acid. It comes in an easy to use tube which is convenient to carry in your bag on the go. It can also be used on both the face and body.

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brand For Younger Consumers

Canmake

This Tokyo-based company is a popular cosmetics brand targeted at young women in their late teens and early twenties, and is recognizable by its cute packaging. The concept behind Canmake is “girly, pop, and shiny”, and their fun products are designed to add a bit of sparkle to your life.

In addition to makeup, one of Canmake’s best-selling products is their Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV Sunscreen, a powerful, protective Japanese sunscreen that can also be used as a makeup base. This sunscreen moisturizes your skin while providing UV protection of SPF 50+ and PA++++. It has a watery gel texture that is easily absorbed into the skin without feeling sticky.

Another great option is this Albion sunscreen. It's a Japanese mineral sunscreen that doubles as a makeup base and offers maximum protection. This sunscreen is also free from UV absorbers, ensuring a gentle formulation for your skin.

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brands For Harsh Environments

Bioré UV Aqua Rich

The Biore brand owned by the Kao Corporation specializes in creating skincare products according to the Japanese beauty philosophy of functionality and simplicity with long-lasting results, backed by innovative Japanese technology and scientific research. 

Biore’s wide range of skincare products includes two popular sunscreens, Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence and Kao Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence Sunscreen.

Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is a moisturizing, lightweight, water-based sunscreen whose latest formula is enhanced with Biore’s micro-defense technology to help prevent the formation of micro gaps, so the skin is covered evenly.

It also contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, royal jelly, and citrus essence to keep skin hydrated. Aqua Rich sunscreen is super waterproof for up to 80 minutes, providing strong protection against sunburn.

Bioré UV Athlizm

Kao Bioré UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence Sunscreen, on the other hand, incorporates Biore’s unique ‘Tough Boost’ technology to protect the skin even in the harshest environments and is particularly effective in very hot and humid conditions. This sunscreen has a creamy base and fresh texture that spreads smoothly on your skin and has the highest-rated UV protection by Japanese standards; SPF50+/PA++++.

Best-Selling Japanese Sunscreen Brand

Anessa

Anessa is one of the most popular Japanese sunscreen brands and is produced by Shiseido. One feature that makes Anessa sunscreen special is that it also has a skincare formula, so you can improve your skin health as well as protect it from the sun by applying it daily.

Anessa sunscreens are available as both gel-type and milky cream products, with both kinds providing consumers with powerful UV protection, a natural finish, and waterproof and friction-proof formulas. The gel-type sunscreen tends to give a dewier and moister finish, while the milky sunscreen has a non-sticky, extra-lightweight texture. feeling that remains extra-light.

The milky sunscreen also contains Anessa’s Thermal Booster Technology, which strengthens the UV protection effect when exposed to heat, making it ideal for consumers who spend a lot of time doing outdoor activities.

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brand For Holistic Skincare Approach

Skin Aqua

Skin Aqua stands out as an effective Japanese sunscreen brand within the renowned Rohto Pharmaceutical company. This brand has been successful in providing budget-friendly yet supremely effective sunscreen products with robust SPF and UV protection.

What sets Skin Aqua apart in the Japanese beauty landscape is its commitment to merging skincare and beauty seamlessly. Known for formulations that go beyond sun protection, their sunscreens are enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and other moisturizing agents, ensuring a holistic approach to skincare.

Distinguished by a diverse range of textures, Skin Aqua's sunscreens cater to a range of consumer preferences, including milks, essences, and gels. These formulations boast a lightweight consistency, effortlessly gliding onto the skin upon application. This lightweight texture also makes this series of sunscreens suitable for use as a makeup base.

The compact and travel-friendly nature of these products further amplifies their appeal, easily fitting into your bag for on-the-go skincare.

One of Skin Aqua’s most popular products is the Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel, whose unique texture ensures effortless application. This Japanese sunscreen gel contains three different types of intensely moisturizing hyaluronic acids and is super waterproof – meaning it won’t melt away with water or sweat.

Best Environmentally Friendly Japanese Sunscreen Brand

Allie

The Allie cosmetics brand is part of the Kanebo corporation, and whose products emphasize a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to sunscreens. Their latest products use less plastic within their packaging than previous versions of the same product, and their formulas claim to be ‘beach-friendly’.

This means that Allie doesn't use UV absorbers, like OMC within their formulations, which are known to cause severe damage to coral reefs. Kanebo Allie Gel Sunscreen UV EX (Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen) is a compact-sized sized gel-based sunscreen, ideal for taking with you to the beach. It does not wear off easily when in contact with water and sebum, or with friction from towels and clothing. 

This sunscreen also contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and its non-sticky, lightweight texture makes it ideal for use as a makeup base.

Best Multifunctional Japanese Sunscreen Brand

Isehan Sunkiller

Isehan’s range of Sunkiller products are multi-functional powerful sunscreens, available in both a gel and milk-based formula. In addition to providing protection against harmful UV rays, the Sunkiller products can also be used as a moisturizer and makeup primer.

Isehan Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence Alcohol-Free Sunscreen is a gel-type sunscreen is formulated with 86% hydrating components and with the highest rated UV protection available: SPF50+ and PA++++.

It contains three kinds of hyaluronic acid and three kinds of natural moisturizing components including royal jelly, aloe vera and saxifrage extract to keep your skin hydrated outside in the sun. 

The product’s lightweight texture makes it ideal for use a skin primer before applying makeup and is suitable for all skin types.

The milky version of the Isehan Sunkiller sunscreen is Perfect Strong Z Sunscreen. It features water-repellent powder that effectively shreds water and sweat upon contact with the skin, so the sunscreen doesn’t need to be reapplied as often.

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brand For Maximum Protection

Kose Suncut

The Suncut Perfect Series of sunscreens includes transparent UV sprays, essences, and gel-based products. The entire product line has been carefully designed to protect your hair and skin from UV damage while also feeling pleasant to use and gentle on the skin.

Among the best-selling Suncut products, you’ll find items like the Kose Suncut Perfect Long Lasting UV Gel Sunscreen, a super waterproof sunscreen that is extremely resistant to sweat, water, sebum, and abrasion.

This sunscreen blocks intense UV rays for a long time with the highest UV protection index. It consists of a light and fresh gel that feels like lotion that easily absorbs into your skin. Despite its lightweight texture, it adheres well and has a long-lasting UV protection effect.

Best Japanese Sunscreen Brand For Sensitive Skin

Omi Verdio

The Verdio range of hypoallergenic sunscreens contains carefully selected ingredients and are gentle enough on sensitive skin for daily use. Verdio sunscreens contain five types of plant extracts to provide moisturizing effects to the skin while providing UV protection, and protection against dryness and pollen.

Omi Verdio UV Moisture Gel Soothing Cica Sunscreen is a watery lightweight product containing cica and other botanical ingredients to help keep skin moisturized and prevent dark spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage from forming.

It is gentle on the skin can be used on children from one year old, and is free from potential irritants such as fragrances, colorants, mineral oils, paraben, and ethanol.

Curious about the best Japanese sunscreens? Learn more about them in this article.