Shiseido Synchro Skin Tone Up Primer Compact
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 24 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
MoisturizingPeg-10 dimethicone, Glycerin + 11 moreGood evidence
“Unlike most primers that leave behind a dry, powdery finish, this sleek and portable compact synchronizes with skin to create a fresh effect anytime, anywhere thanks to powerful ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acid, antioxidant wild thyme extract , and Smart Correcting Powder that diffuses light for a poreless appearance.”
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, sodium acetylated hyaluronate.
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, peg-10 dimethicone.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Synchro Skin Tone Up Primer Compact”
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Thymus serpyllum extractMedium 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%
Dimethicone~5.6–6.9%
- 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 DimethiconeDipropylene glycol~4.4–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolParaffin~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~3.3–4%
- 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 methoxycinnamateGlycerin~2.1–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinNylon-12~1.7–2.1%
Titanium dioxide~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideSilica~1.5–1.8%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePeg-10 dimethicone~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeTitanium dioxide~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.5–0.7%
Phenoxyethanol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyethylene~0.6–0.9%
Mica~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaMicrocrystalline wax~0.4–0.65%
Distearyldimonium chloride~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidAlumina~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaHydrogen dimethicone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconeSodium citrate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateLithium magnesium sodium silicate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aluminum hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
Iron oxides~0.25–0.45%
- 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 oxidesCi 77491~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Iron oxides~0.25–0.45%
- 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 oxidesCi 77492~0.25–0.5%
Isopropyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritation
More about Isopropyl alcoholCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMagnesium aluminometasilicate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolIsododecane~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecanePeg/ppg-19/19 dimethicone~0.25–0.5%
Polyquaternium-51~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
More about Polyquaternium-51Hydrogenated polyisobutene~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneTrimethylsiloxysilylcarbamoyl pullulan~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.2–0.4%
Polysilicone-2~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tin oxide~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.15–0.3%
- 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 hyaluronateHydrolyzed conchiolin protein~0.15–0.3%
Thymus serpyllum extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dimethicone~0.2–0.4%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerIngredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Dipropylene glycol, Paraffin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Titanium dioxide, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Peg-10 dimethicone, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyethylene, Mica, Microcrystalline wax, Distearyldimonium chloride, Palmitic acid, Alumina, Hydrogen dimethicone, Sodium citrate, Lithium magnesium sodium silicate, Aluminum hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Unknown, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Iron oxides, Ci 77492, Isopropyl alcohol, Citric acid, Magnesium aluminometasilicate, Butylene glycol, Isododecane, Peg/ppg-19/19 dimethicone, Polyquaternium-51, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Trimethylsiloxysilylcarbamoyl pullulan, Bht, Polysilicone-2, Tin oxide, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed conchiolin protein, Thymus serpyllum extract, Dimethicone, Unknown, Dimethicone crosspolymer
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Product summary
"Shiseido - Synchro Skin Tone Up Primer Compact" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 this sunscreen to be medium. 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 350.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Tin(IV) Oxide as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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