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Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream for dry sensitive skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin due to the presence of sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, which effectively draw moisture into the skin and provide excellent hydration.
  • The inclusion of 2-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and caffeine offers additional antioxidant and energizing benefits that support overall skin health.
  • The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your morning routine. Reapply every two hours if you are staying outdoors.
  • Apply this product at the very end of your morning routine right after your regular moisturizer.
  • Gently pat a nickel-sized amount of the moisturizing sunscreen evenly across your face and neck.
  • Apply this product onto clean, dry skin before you go outside into the sun.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 3.6k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with normal to dry skin types frequently praise this cream for its ability to deliver deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy, often noting a "dewy" and "plump" post-application look. While the inclusion of SPF 20 is widely appreciated for daily protection, those with sensitive skin or aversion to fragrance sometimes find the floral scent overpowering or irritating.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “airy texture”
    • “no sticky residue”
  • Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
    • “plumps skin”
    • “eliminates dry patches”
    • “leaves skin soft”
  • Added sun protection Sometimes Noted
    • “SPF 20 included”
    • “no white cast”
    • “convenient for day use”
  • Makeup friendly Sometimes Noted
    • “smooths texture”
    • “acts as primer”
    • “prevents foundation pilling”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “overpowering floral scent”
    • “lingers too long”
    • “irritates sensitive noses”
  • Brightening effect Rarely Noted
    • “glowing finish”
    • “radiant look”
    • “healthy shine”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “stings eyes”
    • “migrates when sweating”
    • “sensitive eye area issues”
  • Greasy T-zone Rarely Noted
    • “shiny by midday”
    • “oil breakthrough on combo skin”
    • “too dewy for oily types”
  • Not for very dry Rarely Noted
    • “too light for winter”
    • “requires reapplication”
    • “not rich enough”
  • Price to value Rarely Noted
    • “expensive for amount”
    • “jar runs out fast”
    • “refill cost high”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, macys.com, boots.com, shiseido.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream is a great fit because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draw moisture deep into dry skin for lasting hydration. It is also safe and gentle for sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, helping keep irritation unlikely.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin make this cream a great fit for your dry skin by drawing in moisture to keep it hydrated and smooth. Caffeine and 2-O-ethyl ascorbic acid provide antioxidant and energizing benefits that support overall skin health.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021

What does Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

Ethyl ascorbic acid helps brighten dark spots and protects dry sensitive skin from daily environmental damage with a very good safety profile. It also helps calm irritation and supports a smooth, even complexion.

Polymers, 2023Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This cream goes in the morning routine as your moisturizing spf step, after cleansing and applying a soothing toner. It is a great fit for dry sensitive skin because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draw moisture in to keep skin hydrated, while the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cream in the morning before sun protection when you use retinol at night, or use it after your retinol if you prefer a daytime moisturizer with SPF. Applying a hydrating moisturizer helps reduce the dryness and irritation that often come with retinol use.

Cutis, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use this cream?

Use this moisturizing spf every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. Daily application helps keep dry sensitive skin comfortable and well-hydrated throughout the day.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This moisturizing spf is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin. It contains hydrating ingredients that draw moisture into the skin without using harsh or prohibited additives, minimizing the risk of irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (sd alcohol 40-b and alcohol).

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Topical caffeine acts as an active cosmetic compound by preventing excessive fat accumulation through phosphodiesterase inhibition, protecting cells against UV radiation with antioxidant properties, increasing skin microcirculation, and stimulating hair growth via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2015
  • A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022
  • A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Peg-20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Erythritol, Peg Ppg-14 7 Dimethyl Ether, Peg Ppg-17 4 Dimethyl Ether, Lauryl Betaine, Xanthan Gum, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Angelica Keiskei Stem Extract Leaf, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, Diglycerin, Polysilicone-11, Batyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Peg-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Bht, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Metabisulfite, Isostearic Acid, Disodium Edta, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ppg-3 Dipivalate, Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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