Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Protective Emulsion SPF 20 by Shiseido for Unisex - Emulsion
Works for
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.
Evens skin toneCamellia sinensis leaf extractNot delivered
“Soft Pearl Peel will also reduce pigmentation, remove dead skin cells, and eliminate black heads.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“This peel can be used wet or dry and will leave skin clear, clean, smooth, and fresh.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Isododecane + 11 moreWorks
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:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
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, phenyl trimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Sd alcohol 40-b + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane1.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctocrylene2%
- 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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-31%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Water~45–55%
Dipropylene glycol~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSd alcohol 40-b~5.5–6.7%
- 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 Sd alcohol 40-bGlycerin~3.8–4.7%
- 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 GlycerinHydrogenated polydecene~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneXylitol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolIsododecane~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneDimethicone~1.7–2%
- 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 DimethiconePeg-5 glyceryl stearate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-5 glyceryl stearateIsostearic acid~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidSilica~1.2–1.4%
Phenyl trimethicone~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeTriethanolamine~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineXanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePeg/ppg-17/4 dimethyl ether~0.45–0.7%
Piperidinepropionic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phytosteryl macadamiate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiate2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus speciosa leaf extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica acutiloba root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isodonis japonicus leaf/stalk extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractZanthoxylum piperitum peel extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ppg-17~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl stearate se~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seBehenyl alcohol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholBehenic acid~0.45–0.65%
Stearic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidBatyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol. Used to stabilize other ingredients and is an emollient
More about Batyl alcoholPeg-30 phytosterol~0.3–0.6%
Butylene 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 glycolCarbomer~0.3–0.55%
- 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 CarbomerDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
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 AlcoholBht~0.3–0.55%
Cellulose gum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumSodium metaphosphate~0.25–0.5%
Talc~0.5–0.75%
Dextrin palmitate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Dextrin palmitateTocopherol~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 TocopherolEthylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
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, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Water, Dipropylene glycol, Sd alcohol 40-b, Glycerin, Hydrogenated polydecene, Xylitol, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Peg-5 glyceryl stearate, Isostearic acid, Silica, Phenyl trimethicone, Triethanolamine, Xanthan gum, Tocopheryl acetate, Peg/ppg-17/4 dimethyl ether, Piperidinepropionic acid, Phytosteryl macadamiate, 2-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Prunus speciosa leaf extract, Angelica acutiloba root extract, Isodonis japonicus leaf/stalk extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Zanthoxylum piperitum peel extract, Ppg-17, Glyceryl stearate se, Behenyl alcohol, Behenic acid, Stearic acid, Batyl alcohol, Peg-30 phytosterol, Butylene glycol, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Alcohol, Bht, Cellulose gum, Sodium metaphosphate, Talc, Dextrin palmitate, Tocopherol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Iron oxides
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ShiseidoFuture Solution LX Total Protective Emulsion SPF 20 by Shiseido for Unisex - EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | NiveaKids Protect & Care Sun Lotion SPF 50+ | DCLEssential Skin Protection SPF 30 | NovaclearUrban Sunblock SPF50+ Sensitive Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 39% | 38% | 38% |
| Price | — | $5.35 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Cyclopentasiloxane |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: AMBI Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 SunscreenOlay Total Effects Whip Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 40
Product summary
"Shiseido - Future Solution LX Total Protective Emulsion SPF 20 by Shiseido for Unisex - Emulsion" 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 product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: oxybenzone 1.00% (declared), avobenzone 1.50% (declared), octinoxate 7.40% (declared) and octocrylene 2.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Polyene Group as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 6
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