Best Japanese Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

Best Japanese Sunscreens to Buy for Sensitive Skin

Japanese skin care products are popular worldwide today, and among many types of skin care products, Japanese sunscreens are highly regarded for the effectiveness, price and variation. Every spring and summer, new sunscreen products are being released in Japan, and most of them can be found at Japanese drugstores or variety stores easily.

If you have sensitive skin, you may wanna avoid some sunscreen products with strong UV protection and high water resistance, which may cause some irritation or reaction on your skin. In Japan, various kinds of sunscreens are available according to skin type, concerns and effects.

Some of the most popular sunscreen brands like ANESSA, BIORE and NIVEA have sunscreens specially made for sensitive skin type beside their regular products. These gentle-formula sunscreens are usually low-irritant and free of additives like alcohol, paraben, coloring and fragrance. If you ever had skin problem using sunscreens in past, you may wanna try some of Japanese sunscreens for sensitive/delicate skin type.

In this article, I have listed some of the best Japanese sunscreen for sensitive skin which are gentle on skin and even suitable for babies and kids!

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.


1. ANESSA Perfect UV Mild Milk

Copyright © Shiseido Co.,Ltd.

The best selling Japanese sunscreen of all time, Shiseido ANESSA is best known for its high protection from UV ray and the longevity. The ANESSA series also offers range for delicate/sensitive skin, ANESSA Perfect UV Mild Milk (パーフェクトUV マイルドミルク), which is designed to be hypoallergenic (additive-, fragrance- and coloring-free). The product can be applied to babies and children, and easily removed with soap. Yet, the significant features of the regular ANESSA sunscreens remain such as strong UV ray cutting capacity, water resistance and the Aqua Booster Technology.

Price: 3,300 yen (60 ml) 【Shop Online】

SPF50+/PA++++

2. NIVEA UV Protect Water Milk Mild

Copyright © Beiersdorf 2023

NIVEA UV series is a popular drugstore sunscreen brand in Japan, offering a range of affordable and effective sunscreens. NIVEA UV Protect Water Milk Mild (ニベアUV プロテクトウォーターミルク マイルド) is a gentle-formula sunscreen that does not contain ultraviolet absorbers, yet offers a powerful UV protection. It’s also free of alcohol, colouring and fragrance. The light and smooth sunscreen milk spreads easily on the skin without sticky feeling. The moisturizing ingredient, hyaluronic acid protect the skin from dryness. It can be removed easily with regular soap or face wash.

Price: Open Price (30 ml)【Shop Online】

SPF50+/PA+++

3. Curel Day Barrier UV Protection Milk

https://kao-h.assetsadobe3.com/is/image/content/dam/sites/kao/www-kao-com/jp/ja/products/curel/25412577/GG01.jpg?wid=480
Copyright © Kao Corporation.

KAO Curel is Japan’s top selling skin care brand for sensitive/trouble skin. Curel Day Barrier UV Protection Milk (キュレル UVカット デイバリアUVローション) is a ceramide functioned sunscreen that protects the skin from UV rays and provides long-lasting hydration. It contains anti-inflammatory agent to prevent skin roughness. Featuring the Day Barrier Technology, it protects the skin from environmental stressors such as dust and pollen. It’s free of UV absorber, fragrance, coloring and alcohol.

Price: 1,500 yen~ (60 ml) 【Buy it Now】

SPF50+/PA+++

4. Biore UV Barrier Me Mineral Gentle Milk

https://kao-h.assetsadobe3.com/is/image/content/dam/sites/kao/www-kao-com/jp/ja/products/bioresarasarauv/25412628/GG01.jpg?wid=480
Copyright © Kao Corporation.

Biore is one of the most popular sunscreen brands in Japan, producing a wide range of highly effective and affordable sunscreens. Biore UV Barrier Me Mineral Gentle Milk (ビオレ UV バリア・ミー ミネラルジェントルミルク) is a gentle formula sunscreen milk that is recommended for dry and sensitive easily affected by environmental condition. It features Biore’s original UV Cut and Anti-Dust Outer Skin formula that forms a microfine protection barrier that protects the skin from UV rays and prevents environmental stressors such as dust, pollen and PM2.5 from adhering to the skin. It’s free of UV absorber, alcohol, paraben and colouring and contains moisturizing ingredients. Waterproof formula.

Price: 1,780 yen (50 ml) 【Buy it Now】

SPF50+/PA+++

5. Shigaisen Yoho Sarasara UV Gel

https://www.ishizawa-lab.co.jp/tn/shigaisen_23.png
©ISHIZAWA LABORATORIES

Shigaisen Yoho Sarasara UV Gel (紫外線予報 UVさらさらジェル) is a smooth and lightweight sunscreen gel for face and body. The gentle formula sunscreen is suitable for sensitive skin and for kids from the age of 1. It’s free of coloring, fragrance, mineral oil, paraben, alcohol and silicon. Blended with moisturizing ingredients such as collagen and hyaluronic acid to protect the skin from dryness. It can be easily removed by soap without rubbing harshly.

Price: 1,760 (250g) 【Buy it Now】

SPF30/PA+++

6. KISS ME Mommy! UV Mild Gel

https://www.isehan.co.jp/mommy/images/feature/item_img_01@2x.png
©ISEHAN Co., Ltd.

KISS ME Mommy! UV Mild Gel (マミー UVマイルドジェル) by ISEHAN is the top selling Japanese sunscreen for children. The product is additive-free (coloring free, no fragrance free, preservative free, alcohol free) and made with 90% food composition that are gentle on delicate and sensitive skin. It also contains natural beauty ingredients that keeps skin smooth and moisturized. It can be used for both face and body, and removed with regular soap effortlessly.

Price: 990 yen (100 g)【Shop Online】

SPF33/PA+++

7. MINON Amino Moist Bright Up Base UV

Bright Up Base UV
Copyright © DAIICHI SANKYO HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.

MINON Amino Moist is a Japanese skin care brand offering a range of skin care products for dry, sensitive skin, which are formulated with moisture-retaining amino acid. MINON Amino Moist Bright Up Base UV (ミノン アミノモイスト ブライトアップベース UV) is a lightly tinted makeup primer with powerful UV protection. It naturally brightens up the skin tone and evens out the complexion while protecting the skin from damages by UV rays and dryness. It’s patch-tested and free of alcohol, paraben, fragrance, colorant and UV absorber.

Price: 1,760 yen (25g)【Buy Online】

SPF47/PA+++

8. MUJI Sunscreen Milk for Sensitive Skin

Copyright ©Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

The popular retail company, MUJI is one of the most famous Japanese stores across the world. A wide variety of beauty products can be found at MUJI stores today including daily skin care products depending on skin type. MUJI Sunscreen Milk for Sensitive Skin (敏感肌用日焼け止めミルク) is friendly to sensitive/delicate skin type. It’s free of fragrance, coloring, mineral oil, weak acid, paraben, and alcohol. The light texture milk is easy to apply. Comes in a large bottle that can be used for a whole season or share with a whole family.

Price: 1,490 yen (150 ml) 【Shop Online】

SPF27/PA++

9. ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen On Face Moist

Copyright © 1999–2021 ORBIS Inc.

ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen On Face Moist (オルビス サンスクリーン オンフェイス モイスト) is a tinted face sunscreen which can be used individually or under makeup. It protects the skin from daily exposure to UV rays as well as air pollutants. The cream sunscreen has beige shade which smoothly adapt to the skin colour and covers visible pores and uneven skin tone. It’s formulated ultra-light powder which is resistant to water and sweat, so the skin stays smooth and beautiful for many hours. It’s blended with 80% beauty essence to keep the skin hydrated. The gentle formula sunscreen is free of oil, fragrance, colorant and UV absorber, and tested for allergy and non-comedogenic.

SPF 34/PA+++

Price: 960 yen [Shop Online]

10. IHADA Medicated UV Screen

© 1995–2020 Shiseido Company, Limited

IHADA is a skin care brand by Shiseido, focusing on skin protection with the medical skin care treatment. All products contain Shiseido’s original highly purified Vaseline formulation that creates the hydrating barrier protecting the skin from external stimuli and recurring skin problems. IHADA Medicate UV Screen (イハダ 薬用UVスクリーン) is a new sunscreen product from the IHADA series, a non-chemical medicated sunscreen that can be used for face and body. It’s additive-free gentle formula but offers high protection against the sun and it’s resistant to water and sweat. If you have sensitive skin and regular sunscreen products are too strong for you, this product might be suitable for you.

Price: 1,760 yen (50ml)

SPF 50+/PA+++


Thanks for reading! I hope this article would help you to find a perfect sunscreen for your sensitive skin! The listed products are commonly sold at drugstores, cosmetics stores and variety shops in Japan, but some products are also available to shop online with international shipping! So if you are interested in these products, go ahead and try them out!

If you are into Japanese beauty products, I’d recommend you to check out the online beauty store Kokoro which offers a wide selection of Japanese beauty products with worldwide shipping. Visit their website (Kokoro: http://bit.ly/32HfNbi) to check more Japanese cosmetics products! Free shipping is available when you spend over 40 USD 🙂

For more information about popular Japanese sunscreen products, please check out my previous articles listed below!

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"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈