Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
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.
Anti-agingMagnesium aluminum silicate, TocopherolWorks well
“Exceptionally powerful formula effectively protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays that cause photo-ageing.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Diisopropyl sebacate, Triethylhexanoin + 11 moreWorks
“What we say Meet your new favourite sunscreen – this powerful cream protects against harmful UV rays and air pollution while also delivering wonderful hydration for dry skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium pca.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 7 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.
Water~45–55%
Diisopropyl sebacate~6.3–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateOctocrylene~5.1–6.2%
- 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~2.9–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolTriethylhexanoin~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinPolysilicone-15~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays, but does not protect against the most aging UVA light
More about Polysilicone-15Alcohol~1.7–2.1%
- 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 AlcoholGlycerin~1.6–1.9%
- 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 GlycerinXylitol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.2–1.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoatePentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateBehenic acid~0.65–0.95%
Behenyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPropylene glycol stearate se~0.5–0.7%
Peg-60 glyceryl isostearate~0.45–0.65%
Glyceryl stearate se~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seBatyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol. Used to stabilize other ingredients and is an emollient
More about Batyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTriethanolamine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineButylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 glycolParfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolybutene~0.25–0.5%
Glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Trisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Methyl gluceth-10~0.25–0.5%
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCellulose gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateLimonene~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.25–0.45%
Scutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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 extractButylphenyl methylpropional~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalBenzyl benzoate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateHexyl cinnamal~0.2–0.4%
Citronellol~0.2–0.4%
Eugenol~0.2–0.35%
Geraniol~0.2–0.35%
Syzygium jambos leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arginine hcl~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about Arginine hclOnonis spinosa root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ectoin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinSodium pca~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaTocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Diisopropyl sebacate, Octocrylene, Dipropylene glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Polysilicone-15, Alcohol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Unknown, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Behenic acid, Behenyl alcohol, Propylene glycol stearate se, Peg-60 glyceryl isostearate, Glyceryl stearate se, Batyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Butylene glycol, Parfum, Polybutene, Glycol, Trisodium edta, Methyl gluceth-10, Unknown, Xanthan gum, Cellulose gum, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Limonene, Linalool, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Benzyl benzoate, Hexyl cinnamal, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Syzygium jambos leaf extract, Arginine hcl, Ononis spinosa root extract, Ectoin, Sodium pca, Tocopherol
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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.
| ShiseidoUrban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF30YOUR PRODUCT | Piz BuinAllergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream - High SPF30 | Childs Farm50SPF Water Resistant Sun Cream | BiodermaPigmentbio Brightening Face Cream SPF50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 38% | 37% |
| Price | — | $17.26 | $16.07 | $26.76 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Panthenol | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Laboratoire ACM Dépiwhite.S Whitening Photo-Protector Skincare SPF50Payot Sunny Crème Savoureuse High Protection SPF50
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Shiseido - Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF30" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 1.40% - 1.70%, avobenzone 1.20% - 1.40%, uvinul a plus 0.75% - 1.15%, octocrylene 5.10% - 6.20% and polysilicone-15 2.60% - 3.20%.
Irritation risk
It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 37.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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