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In Japan, sunscreens are often daily-use products during summer, and for many people year-round. They’re used as part of a person’s daily skincare routine, which means they need to be formulated differently to the sunscreens we’re used to in the west.
In the west, sunscreen is typically only applied as-needed. We wear sunscreen when we’re planning to spend extended periods in the sun, so it’s not required to feel or look particularly good on the skin.
Sunscreens in Japan are made to be worn all day. They’re worn at school, and at the office. They’re worn under makeup and other cosmetics. So they can’t feel too oily or be damaging to your skin.
That’s why sunscreens in Japan are often much lighter and more watery than sunscreens sold elsewhere. They soak into the skin quickly, and leave behind very little residue, so it often feels like you’re not wearing sunscreen at all.
In addition, Japanese sunscreens are typically packed full of hydrating skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, collagen and more. You can read all about Japanese sunscreens and why they're so good for you on our Japanese sunscreen guide.
Japanese Sunscreen Protection Ratings
The sun produces three different kinds of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. All three forms of UV radiation are extremely harmful to human skin, but we only need to worry about the first two, as UVC is blocked by the earth's ozone layer.
UVB radiation damages the outer layer of your skin and causes sunburn, but UVA damages the deeper layers of your skin, and is the primary cause of skin tanning. UVA is also closely associated with premature skin sagging and aging. Exposure to either UVA or UVB radiation can cause skin cancer.
Japanese sunscreen packaging usually displays two different protection ratings: SPF and PA. The SPF rating corresponds to how many times greater the protection from UVB radiation. For example, SPF 15 means that only one fifteenth of the UVB rays will reach your skin, and SPF 50 means that only one fiftieth of the rays will reach you.
While the SPF rating relates to UVB protection, the PA rating relates to UVA protection. The PA level of a sunscreen isn’t graded by numbers like SPF is, but by plus symbols, with PA++++ being the highest level on the scale. All of the sunscreens included in this list are from the two highest PA ratings: PA+++ and PA++++. Just like SPF, the PA ratings are a little bit complicated. But to put it simply: PA+++ means it would take your skin between eight and sixteen times longer to tan than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen, and PA++++ means that it would take your skin sixteen times longer or more to tan.
How we decided
Best Japanese Sunscreens for Summer 2026
Now that we’ve covered why Japanese sunscreen is so popular, and the unique protection ratings, let’s take a look at the ten best Japanese sunscreens that you can use to keep your skin healthy and hydrated this summer. We update this post every year just before summer to make sure we're providing the best, most up-to-date information about Japanese sunscreens to help you make informed decisions to protect your skin.
Our recommendations
Elixir Day Care Revolution Brightening
Ranked as top sunscreen on @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 (next to Lancôme Apsolu The UV Cream) Elixir Day Care Revolution Brightening + ba is designed for busy mornings with a multitasking formula that combines a daytime emulsion, makeup base, and high UV protection in a single bottle. Skin feels soft, supple, and refreshed throughout the day with a smooth, comfortable wear.
Pros
- Works as both a morning cream and makeup base
- Gives skin a healthy, radiant glow under makeup
- Luxurious feel that suits dry or dehydrated skin well
Cons
- Lower UV protection compared to SPF50+ sunscreens
- Jar packaging may feel less convenient or hygienic for some users
Kanebo Cream In Day Face Cream
A top 3 favorite in the @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026, Kanebo Cream In Day is a luxurious morning face cream that delivers lasting moisture while helping protect skin from dryness and UV rays with SPF30 / PA+++. The rich yet smooth texture melts comfortably into the skin, creating a soft, glowing finish that works beautifully as a makeup base. Perfect for daily morning skincare, it leaves skin feeling fresh, hydrated, and naturally luminous throughout the day.
Pros
- Lightweight gel texture feels refreshing on skin
- Non-sticky and comfortable for daily wear
- Water and sweat resistant
Cons
- May feel slightly shiny on very oily skin
- Gel texture may not provide enough moisture for very dry skin
Anessa Moisture Perfect UV Sunscreen
Ranked No.4 in the @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 sunscreen category, Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Gel NB combines powerful SPF50+ / PA++++ UV protection with lightweight daily hydration. The refreshing gel texture feels smooth and non-sticky on the skin while helping keep it soft, comfortable, and fresh throughout the day. Suitable for both face and body, it layers well under makeup and is ideal for everyday outdoor protection.
Pros
- Lightweight, refreshing texture
- Smooth, non-sticky finish
- Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
Cons
- Premium price
- Small size
SK-II Genoptics CC Primer Tone Up Sunscreen
A top 5 winner in the @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 sunscreen category, SK-II Genoptics CC Primer combines skincare-inspired radiance with lightweight SPF50+ / PA++++ UV protection. Infused with Pitera™, niacinamide, and bisabolol, this luxurious 5-in-1 primer enhances skin with soft radiance and natural tone-up effects without looking heavy or overly made-up. The smooth, elegant texture blends effortlessly, leaving skin luminous, polished, and comfortable throughout the day.
Pros
- Natural tone-up effect with radiant finish
- Works beautifully as a makeup primer
- Elegant, refined finish that looks natural
Cons
- Small size
- Shade options are limited
Other Popular Sunscreens in Japan to Consider
Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk N
Shiseido’s Anessa Perfect UV Mild Milk is the go-to Japanese sunscreen for anyone with sensitive skin. This gentle, fragrance-free formula is designed to be hypoallergenic and additive-free, yet still delivers maximum sun protection with SPF50+ and PA++++.
Perfect for daily wear, the lightweight milk texture absorbs quickly without leaving any white cast or greasy finish. It's especially ideal for layering under makeup. A favorite for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Hypoallergenic
- No white cast
Cons
- Expensive
- Small bottle size
Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist
Biore’s Aqua Rich Protect Mist delivers the same fan-favorite Aqua Rich UV protection, just in an ultra-fine spray format. With SPF50+ and PA++++, this sunscreen offers maximum protection in a refreshing mist that can be applied anytime, anywhere, even over makeup.
It dries instantly and doesn’t leave any stickiness, so it’s perfect for mid-day reapplications. Ideal for people who want to avoid creams or prefer a fuss-free application, this mist is also packed with moisturizing agents to keep your skin hydrated under the sun.
Pros
- Easy to apply over makeup
- Fast-drying
- Hydrating
Cons
- Light protection may require reapplication
- Can run out quickly
Rohto Mentholatum Sunplay Clear Water Sunscreen
Sunplay Clear Water Sunscreen by Rohto is a cost-effective yet powerful sunscreen ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types. It offers high-level protection with SPF50+ and PA++++ and has a refreshing water-light texture that disappears into the skin on contact—no greasy residue or white cast.
It’s waterproof, sweat-resistant, and fragrance-free, making it a smart pick for anyone looking for a reliable, budget-friendly Japanese sunscreen for daily use, beach days, or summer sports. Its small size also makes it ideal for tossing in your bag for reapplications.
Pros
- Provide strong UVB & UVA protection
- Lightweight, watery texture
- Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Very runny texture
- Not ideal if you want a matte finish
Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick
Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick offers powerful SPF50+ and PA++++ protection in a sleek, portable stick that applies clear, no white cast, no mess. Designed for both face and body, this sunscreen is ideal for touch-ups throughout the day and can be applied directly over makeup without smudging or pilling. It’s the perfect on-the-go solution for busy days or travel.
Powered by Shiseido’s SynchroShield™ technology, the formula actually strengthens when exposed to water, sweat, or heat, making it a smart choice for outdoor activities and hot weather. It glides on smoothly with a light, non-greasy finish and includes skincare ingredients like soy lecithin and licorice root extract to help brighten and hydrate while protecting.
Pros
- Stick format keeps hands clean
- Can be applied over makeup
- Water- and sweat-resistant,
Cons
- Pricier than standard sunscreens
- Small size
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Tinted Lavender
Skin Aqua’s Tone Up UV Essence in Lavender offers full-spectrum SPF50+ and PA++++ protection while instantly brightening the complexion. The soft lavender tint helps cancel out dull yellow tones and gives skin a radiant, glowing finish. Its essence-like texture is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-sticky, making it perfect for everyday wear under makeup or on its own.
Formulated with hydrating and brightening ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C derivatives, and botanical extracts, it doesn’t just protect but also improves the look and feel of your skin. Ideal for normal to oily skin types, this sunscreen doubles as a tone-correcting primer and leaves no white cast, just a luminous, dewy glow.
Pros
- Color-correcting
- Lightweight
- Fast absorbing
Cons
- Slight tint may not suit all
- Can sometimes look greasy
Kose Sekkisei Skincare Non Sticky Skin Brightening UV Gel Sunscreen Gel
Kose Sekkisei UV Gel is perfect for sensitive skin. It has been specifically tested for allergens, and tested on people with dry and sensitive skin, to ensure that the formula is gentle on all skin types. In addition, its formula is designed to protect your skin from outside pollutants and irritants. Sekkisei UV Gel was developed as a shield, not only for UV rays, but for dust, dirt, pollen and other things that can damage your skin.
The formula includes coix seed (Job’s tears) which is known for its skin whitening and brightening properties, and various botanicals such as angelica root extract, rose myrtle fruit extract and melothria root extract to keep your skin soft and hydrated under the harsh summer sun.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Brightening
- Anti-pollution formula
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly sticky for some
Kao Bioré UV Athlizm Skin Protect Milk Sunscreen
Kao Bioré Athlizm Skin Protect Milk was designed to have enormous staying power on even your most active days. This high-performance sunscreen is perfect for people who spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors in summer.
This long-lasting sunscreen is super waterproof and highly sweat and friction-resistant. Its formula features Bioré’s Tough Boost & Outer Skin technologies, which use friction-resistant polymers to ensure their sunscreen lasts, forming a “second skin” that protects you from UV radiation, but is also light and deeply hydrating.
Suitable for all skin types, this sunscreen is perfect for a hike, a day at the beach, or any summer sport or outdoor activity.
Pros
- Super waterproof
- Strong UVA/UVB protection
- Lightweight yet hydrating
Cons
- Slightly more expensive
- Can feel heavier on very oily skin
Pigeon Baby Sunscreen UV Baby Milk Waterproof
Pigeon UV Baby Milk is the best Japanese sunscreen for babies, and one of the best for adults with sensitive skin, too.
Since this sunscreen can be used on newborns from 0 months old, it's one of the gentlest sunscreens on the market. Its protection level is still extremely high, boasting SPF 50+ and PA++++, so it has the highest level of protection against both UVB and UVA available. In addition, its formulation contains highly moisturizing ingredients like ceramide and hyaluronic acid, so it's great for people with dry skin, too.
Some sunscreens require soap and scrubbing to completely remove, but Pigeon understands babies have very sensitive skin, so this formulation can easily be removed with gentle baby soaps.
Pigeon UV Baby Milk is a milky lotion, so it doesn't dry sticky, and it's very easy to apply. It has no parabens, fragrances, alcohols or UV absorbers, so you can rest assured your baby's skin is in excellent hands.
Pros
- Gentle
- High SPF/PA
- Easy to wash off
Cons
- Expensive
- Small size
Kanebo Allie Gel Sunscreen UV EX
Kanebo Allie Gel Sunscreen is a very popular sunscreen in Japan, which has been getting more and more popular recently. Each time this sunscreen gets renewed, it gets more environmentally friendly, as Kanebo keeps looking for ways to reduce waste.
Allie doesn't use UV absorbers, like OMC, which are known to cause severe damage to coral reefs, and the package uses a composite of plastic and paper to cut down on unnecessary reliance on plastics. In fact, the current version of Allie uses less plastic in the packaging and in the sunscreen tube than previous versions of the same product.
Allie Gel UV EX is a waterproof sunscreen that leaves a slightly dewy look on your skin after application. It comes highly recommended for combination skin types, so if you have dry and oily areas on your face, this is perfect for you. It's fantastic as a makeup base as it's friction-resistant and doesn't ball up, and it includes hyaluronic acid for skin hydration. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular skincare ingredients in Japan. You can learn more about it on our guide here.
Pros
- Reef-safe
- Waterproof
- Hydrating
Cons
- Slightly sticky
- Mid-high price
Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel Sunscreen
Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel sets the benchmark for Japanese sunscreens, and it's one of the cheapest sunscreens on the market.
Unlike western sunscreens, Nivea Super Water Gel is extremely lightweight, soaks into the skin in seconds, and leaves no white cast. Other sunscreens might feel greasy or sticky after application, but thanks to Nivea's unique formulation, this sunscreen feels like spreading water on your skin. For that reason, this is the most recommended Japanese sunscreen for oily skin–although it’s suitable for all skin types. Just like many other Japanese skincare products, it contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin. It's also fragrance and colorant free.
While this is a very high-quality sunscreen, it does have some drawbacks to make it so cost-effective. It’s non-waterproof, so if that’s important to you, it may be better to try something else on this list. In addition, it has UV protection ratings of SPF 50 and PA+++. The maximum rating levels are SPF 50+ and PA++++, so it’s slightly less-effective than some other sunscreens.
What it lacks in those areas, however, it more than makes up for with its price and very lightweight feeling. The average price of the 10 Japanese sunscreens on this list is $0.70 USD / gram, but Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel comes in at a very reasonable $0.10 USD / gram.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- No white cast
- Fragrance- and colorant-free
Cons
- Not waterproof
- May not provide enough hydration
Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk
Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV is considered the gold standard for Japanese sunscreen. It’s one of the bestselling sunscreens in Japan, and it’s heavily advertised on TV and in drugstores in the summer.
While some sunscreens come off easily in water, Anessa sunscreen is famous for its Auto Booster technology, which makes the sunscreen more effective when it comes into contact with water, sweat, or moisture in the air. This works because the moisture evens out the coverage of the sunscreen, ensuring that there are no gaps or weak spots.
Anessa sunscreen wins the “Best With Collagen” category this year because it’s one of the few sunscreens that contains this fantastic skincare ingredient, yet it’s still affordable and extremely powerful against UVA and UVB radiation. Not only does Shiseido Anessa Perfect Skincare Milk contain collagen, but it also has hyaluronic acid and green tea extract, making it not simply a sunscreen, but a combination skincare product and sunscreen.
Pros
- Contains marine collagen
- Waterproof
- High SPF/PA
Cons
- Expensive
- Can leave a subtle white cast
Isehan Kiss Me Mommy UV Aqua Milk
Isehan Kiss Me Mommy is not only the best hypoallergenic sunscreen, it’s one of the best sunscreens for kids, people with sensitive skin, and people who prioritize natural and moisturizing ingredients.
Kiss Me Mommy, as the name suggests, was developed as a kids’ sunscreen. However, it’s now popular among people of all ages, as it’s affordable, hypoallergenic, and gentle on sensitive skin. Most Japanese sunscreens contain alcohol, but Isehan Kiss Me Mommy is alcohol-free, it’s also free from fragrances, colorants, preservatives and mineral oils.
Even though it’s made from over 80% natural ingredients, it’s still SPF 50+ and PA++++, meaning it has the highest available protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Finally, it includes collagen, ceramide, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and fresh all day long.
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- High SPF/PA
- Moisturizing
Cons
- May leave a very shiny, dewy finish
- Potential for a greasy feel
Kanebo Veil of Day UV Protection Day Serum
Kanebo’s Veil of Day is a skincare serum with UV protection built-in. It’s SPF 50 and PA+++, so it’s just one level below the maximum for UVB and UVA radiation protection.
This serum is an intense deep moisturizer that injects your skin with moisture for 12 hours. It’s composed of 75% water-based ingredients that form a water veil over your skin, and protect it from drying out under the sun’s harmful UV rays.
You can use it as a makeup base to allow your cosmetics to be applied evenly and smoothly, and to prevent your skin from drying out underneath them.
Its formulation causes an aqueous membrane to form on top of your face, which is up to ten times thicker than in comparable products. This membrane acts as a second skin and locks in the product’s moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Pros
- 12-hour moisturizing benefits
- Absorbs instantly
- Leaves a healthy, radiant sheen
Cons
- Expensive
- Not waterproof
Transino Brightening UV Protector Makeup Base
Transino UV Protector is the best skin whitener/sunscreen 2-in-1–although it’s actually sold as a 5-in-1 skincare product. Transino says this product can be used as a brightening cream, moisturizing milky lotion, sunscreen, makeup base, and pore cover to prevent blackheads.
Because Transino UV Protector contains a large quantity of tranexamic acid, it restricts the production of melanin, and whitens and brightens your skin. It's also full of natural moisturizing botanicals like peony root extract, Engelhardtia chrysolepis leaf extract, and Chinese skullcap extract to nourish your skin.
It's a waterproof sunscreen suitable for the beach, but it can wash off with regular soap. You can also easily apply makeup on top of it. It's hypoallergenic and contains no fragrances or colorants.
Pros
- Helps suppress melanin production
- "non-chemical" (absorber-free) formula
- Multifunctional 5-in-1
Cons
- May leave a slight whitish cast
- Small size; expensive
Rohto Hada Labo Koi Gokujyun UV White Gel
Rohto's Hada Labo series is one of the most popular skincare ranges in Japan, so it's no wonder their Koi Gokujyun UV White Gel is one of the bestselling sunscreens at Japanese Taste with dozens of five star reviews.
This sunscreen embodies everything good about Japanese sunscreens. It's multi-purpose, has strong UV protection, and is great for your skin. Hada Labo UV White Gel is SPF 50+ and PA++++ - the highest rating of UVB and UVA protection available. It's also full of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, to keep your skin hydrated and soft.
It's an incredibly lightweight formula, so it leaves your skin feeling fresh after application, not heavy and greasy like some other sunscreens might, so it's great for oily and acne-prone skin. This sunscreen sinks into your skin quickly, leaving no white cast, and it's ideal for use as a makeup base.
It's sold as an all-in-one skincare product, so it's great for people who don't want such a time-consuming skincare routine. You can use it as a moisturizer, toner, sunscreen, and makeup base. Not only is it popular, it's extremely cost-effective at only $0.23 USD / gram, which is 65% less than the average price of sunscreens on this list.
Pros
- All-in-one step
- Non-greasy
- Brightening
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Tub packaging is considered less hygienic
Looking for more daily UV protection? Explore the best Japanese sunscreen brands to discover lightweight sunscreens and SPF moisturizers designed for comfortable everyday wear.
