Shiseido Essential Energy: Hydrating Day Cream SPF20
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 5 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: Hydrating Day Cream SPF20”
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
“With broad-spectrum SPF 20, it helps to shield the skin from everyday UV exposure while supporting a smoother, more refined look to pores and fine lines.”
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?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum + 6 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.
Water~45–55%
Alcohol denat.~7.3–9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Dimethicone~4.4–5.3%
- 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~3–3.6%
- 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 GlycerinHomosalate~3.1–3.7%
- 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 salicylate~2.3–2.8%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene~1.9–2.3%
- 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 OctocryleneDipropylene glycol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolIsodecyl neopentanoate~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 Isodecyl neopentanoateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.2–1.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePeg-20~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polysilicone-15~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Behenyl alcohol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholDiglycerin~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinSilica~0.55–0.8%
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-11~0.35–0.65%
- 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-11Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerBatyl alcohol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol. Used to stabilize other ingredients and is an emollient
More about Batyl alcoholButylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- 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-3~0.75–1.15%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Carbomer~0.2–0.35%
- 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~0.2–0.35%
Erythritol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about ErythritolPeg/ppg-14/7 dimethyl ether~0.25–0.4%
- 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~0.2–0.35%
Parfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPeg-60 glyceryl isostearate~0.2–0.4%
Lauryl betaine~0.3–0.5%
Alcohol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 AlcoholTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- 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~0.2–0.4%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- 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 crosspolymer2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Caffeine~0.25–0.4%
- 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 CaffeineIsostearic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidSodium metaphosphate~0.25–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Ppg-3 dipivalate~0.25–0.45%
Phytosteryl macadamiate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiateLinalool~0.2–0.4%
Iron oxides~0.2–0.4%
- 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 oxidesLimonene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus unshiu peel extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAngelica keiskei leaf/stem extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root extract~0.25–0.5%
- 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~0.2–0.4%
- 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 hyaluronateIron 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 oxidesScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.2–0.35%
- 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 extractSyzygium jambos leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alpinia speciosa leaf extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.3%
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractSanguisorba officinalis root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrola incarnata extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Dimethicone, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Dipropylene glycol, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Peg-20, Polysilicone-15, Behenyl alcohol, Diglycerin, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Batyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Bis-butyldimethicone polyglyceryl-3, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Potassium hydroxide, Erythritol, Peg/ppg-14/7 dimethyl ether, Peg/ppg-17/4 dimethyl ether, Parfum, Peg-60 glyceryl isostearate, Lauryl betaine, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Bht, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, 2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Xanthan gum, Sodium metabisulfite, Caffeine, Isostearic acid, Sodium metaphosphate, Disodium edta, Ppg-3 dipivalate, Phytosteryl macadamiate, Linalool, Iron oxides, Limonene, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract, Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Iron oxides, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Syzygium jambos leaf extract, Alpinia speciosa leaf extract, Sodium benzoate, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, Pyrola incarnata extract
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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