Shiseido Essential Energy Day Cream SPF 20
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Essential Energy Day Cream SPF 20”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
diglycerin, erythritol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, phytosteryl macadamiate.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“, Reneura Technology Provides fast, efficient results against dehydration and fine lines. , Ginseng Red Supports skin. Ingredient Callouts Free of oxybenzone.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Alcohol, Citrus unshiu peel extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Alcohol~6.9–8.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholDimethicone~5.9–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlycerin~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDipropylene glycol~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolIsodecyl neopentanoate~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoatePeg-20~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerErythritol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about ErythritolPeg/ppg-14/7 dimethyl ether~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss
More about Peg/ppg-14/7 dimethyl etherPeg/ppg-17/4 dimethyl ether~0.75–1.15%
Lauryl betaine~0.7–1.1%
Xanthan gum~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gum2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caffeine~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeinePhytosteryl macadamiate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiateSodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCitrus unshiu peel extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrant plant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extractZiziphus jujuba fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractSanguisorba officinalis root extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrola incarnata extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Behenyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSilica~0.5–0.7%
Diglycerin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinPolysilicone-11~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Batyl alcohol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol. Used to stabilize other ingredients and is an emollient
More about Batyl alcoholButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBis-butyldimethicone polyglyceryl-3~1–1.2%
Carbomer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPotassium hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
Peg-60 glyceryl isostearate~0.3–0.6%
Alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolBht~0.3–0.55%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Isostearic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidEdta~0.3–0.6%
Sodium metaphosphate~0.3–0.55%
Ppg-3 dipivalate~0.35–0.65%
Syzygium jambos leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alpinia speciosa leaf extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractPhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Parfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIron oxides~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Unknown, Alcohol, Unknown, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Peg-20, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Erythritol, Peg/ppg-14/7 dimethyl ether, Peg/ppg-17/4 dimethyl ether, Lauryl betaine, Xanthan gum, 2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Caffeine, Phytosteryl macadamiate, Sodium hyaluronate, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract, Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, Pyrola incarnata extract, Behenyl alcohol, Silica, Diglycerin, Polysilicone-11, Batyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Bis-butyldimethicone polyglyceryl-3, Carbomer, Potassium hydroxide, Peg-60 glyceryl isostearate, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Bht, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium metabisulfite, Isostearic acid, Unknown, Edta, Sodium metaphosphate, Ppg-3 dipivalate, Syzygium jambos leaf extract, Alpinia speciosa leaf extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Parfum, Iron oxides
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Product summary
"Shiseido - Essential Energy Day Cream SPF 20" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 5.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 61.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 64.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Phytosterols as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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