Quick Summary:

Date Tested: 8/20/2025

In this Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 sunscreen gel review, I find a high performing sunscreen. Thank you for the sample Zoe!

The Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 sunscreen gel is a hybrid sunscreen formula which contains Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide.

The Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 reduced 97.09% of irradiated UVA, 94.37% UVB, and 96.93% of total UVI. Great UV protection results!

Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 sunscreen gel ingredients

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Active ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide

Other declared actives (not UV filters):
Tranexamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Silica, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Glycerin, PPG-17, Hydrated Silica, Isostearic Acid, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dextrin Palmitate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Beheneth-30, Succinoglycan, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Tocopherol, BHT, Trisodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Talc, Sodium Metabisulfite, Polyquaternium-51, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Mica, Ci 17200, Ci 42090

Manufacturers Website: www.shiseido.co.jp

Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 characteristics at a glance:

• Contains medicated whitening ingredients.
• Protects skin from UV rays while brightening and toning up the skin.
• A gel with a texture that melts into the skin: spreads easily and blends into the skin quickly, just like a skin care product, so it’s easy to use every day.
• Locks in moisture and prevents blemishes: powerful UV gel with a luxurious blend of moisturizing ingredients thoroughly blocks UV rays that cause blemishes, so it stays moist for a long time.
• A tone-up finish for brighter skin.
• While maintaining Anessa’s high UV protection effect, its medicinal whitening (suppressing melanin production and preventing age spots and freckles) effect suppresses melanin production and prevents age spots and freckles.
• The lavender pink gel corrects dullness and brings out clarity, making it a recommended item for everyday makeup base.
  
• Viscosity is low

Prepared slide BEFORE testing

The Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 distributed rather evenly. You can see just how smooth the gel texture appears as well.

Shiseido Anessa Tone up Brightening UV SPF 50 UV blocking test results

Ultraviolet light quick reference:

UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.

UV test results:

Ultraviolet sensor readings:

Testing notes:

Wonderful UV protection! This product also markets itself as having pigment lightening, and anti-inflammatory properties. This is likely why Shiseido included the Tranexamic Acid, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate active ingredients.

Here is a run-down of what those two ingredients do:

Tranexamic Acid

• A synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine.
• Traditionally used in medicine to reduce bleeding (antifibrinolytic agent).
• In skincare, it’s used for hyperpigmentation (melasma, dark spots, post-inflammatory marks).
• Works by inhibiting plasmin activity in the skin, which reduces inflammation and suppresses UV- and injury-induced melanin production.
• Often found in brightening serums, sunscreens, and treatments for uneven skin tone.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

• A salt derived from glycyrrhizic acid, which comes from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
• Functions mainly as an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent.
• Reduces redness, irritation, and allergic reactions in the skin.
• Also helps maintain skin hydration by supporting the skin barrier.
• Frequently used in sunscreens, sensitive-skin products, and acne-prone formulations.

👉 In short: Tranexamic Acid = pigment/lightening agent, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate = calming/anti-inflammatory agent.