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[2026 New Sunscreen Roundup] 10 Recommended UV Products Hand-Picked by a Cosmetics Pro

かずのすけ · ▶ 34:05 · 5 min read
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Introduction

Here are 10 sunscreens released in 2026, recommended by a cosmetics professional. This time, it's not a ranking. The first half focuses on "sunscreens that keep you from tanning," and the second half covers products "for sensitive skin." All of them are top-level UV protection products rated SPF50+ and PA++++.

1. Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Gel / Brightening UV Gel (Shiseido)

Release date: February 21, 2026

  • Yellow (Skincare Gel): Mainly uses UV absorbers and contains a high concentration of ethanol. Very transparent, but the formula is hard to call sensitive-skin friendly
  • Pink (Brightening UV): Contains two active ingredients, tranexamic acid and glycyrrhizic acid, so it has skincare benefits. It's zinc oxide-free and milder than the yellow one
  • The pink one has a tone-up effect from its powder ingredients, but it tends to leave color behind
  • Both are priced at 1,496 yen (tax included) for 40g

2. La Roche-Posay UV Protection Tint Up

Release date: February 19, 2026

  • Hybrid formula of titanium oxide and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
  • Contains proprietary absorbers that are strong against long UVA (such as drometrizole trisiloxane)
  • A tinted type that covers skin tone well and feels like a BB cream
  • Contains less ethanol than other La Roche-Posay products
  • Sensitive skin may feel some irritation
  • Price: 4,070 yen (tax included) for 40g, on the expensive side

3. Ceramiede Medicated UV Sunscreen Milk

Release date: February 2, 2026

  • Non-chemical (UV absorber-free), built mainly on titanium oxide
  • Contains stearyl glycyrrhetinate to prevent skin roughness
  • The formula is very similar to the existing Mild UV Milk, so there's not much new about it
  • A two-layer type that tends to leave a white cast
  • Price: 1,650 yen (tax included) for 60g

4. 365 Powdery UV Cream

Release date: February 10, 2026

  • Formulated with UV absorbers only, with no UV scattering agents
  • Contains low-irritation moisturizers such as BG and is alcohol-free, so it's easy to use even on sensitive skin
  • Contains powder that absorbs sebum and sweat to keep makeup from breaking down, and it also works great as a primer
  • Six-free formula (free of zinc oxide, glycerin, alcohol, parabens, mineral oil, and fragrance)
  • Rated as the most recommended affordable option among clear sunscreens
  • Price: 1,089 yen (tax included) for 60g

5. Verdio Medicated UV Milk / UV Gel Milk (Taisho Pharmaceutical)

Release date: February 2, 2026

  • A quasi-drug that contains tranexamic acid and is also approved for whitening effects
  • Ethanol-free and easy to use even on sensitive skin
  • UV Gel Milk: Zinc oxide-free and can be removed with soap
  • UV Milk: Contains titanium oxide and is highly water-resistant, also great for the body
  • The choice of two types is appealing, but the UV Gel Milk tends to leave a slight white cast
  • Price: 1,980 yen (tax included) for 50ml, just barely in the affordable range

6. ORBIS Wrinkle UV Protector N

Release date: February 21, 2026

  • A rare sunscreen approved for two active effects: wrinkle improvement and whitening
  • Achieves a high concentration of niacinamide and SPF50+/PA++++ at the same time
  • Uses hybrid absorbers such as octyl methoxycinnamate to also handle long UVA
  • Has gone back to being zinc oxide-free (the previous version contained it)
  • A tinted "Rose" version was also added in June
  • An easy-to-remove cream type
  • Price: 3,850 yen (tax included) for 50g, a somewhat higher price range

7. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Hold Cream Fragrance-Free / Curél Skin Repair UV Serum

  • Bioré Aqua Rich: A high-performance formula that achieves SPF50/PA+++ with titanium oxide alone. This time, a review of the manufacturing process solved the long-standing issue of its "strong scent," and it has successfully been made fragrance-free
  • Made with low-irritation ingredients (glyceryl caprylate, BG, etc.) and free of alcohol, glycerin, zinc oxide, and UV absorbers
  • Curél Skin Repair UV Serum: Nearly the same formula but with an added ceramide-function ingredient, and slightly more expensive
  • Bioré is recommended if you prioritize value for money, and Curél if you value the ceramide function
  • Price: Bioré 1,430 yen for 50g / Curél 2,200 yen for 60g (tax included)

Overall Review

  • The impression is that among 2026's new sunscreens, few products had as much impact as "Aqua Rich" or "Muji" did in past years
  • There were many renewals, and genuinely new technical innovations were limited
  • In the personal overall assessment, Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Hold Cream Fragrance-Free is rated especially highly
  • For sensitive skin, the products introduced in the second half (365, Verdio, Bioré/Curél) are recommended
  • Hopefully even more noteworthy new products will come out in the second half of the year

If you know of any new sunscreen news, please let us know in the comments!

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