# Shu Uemura vs Asarai

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United States.

Shu Uemura and Asarai are a Japanese heritage line and a botanically focused range, respectively, known for transformative cleansing oils and nutrient-rich [clay](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/clay) masks. The former suits all skin types best with its gentle, balanced formulas, while the latter is ideal for balanced, dry, and combination skin through nourishing botanical bases. Both brands address acne-prone skin with targeted care, though they differ as Shu Uemura focuses on meticulously crafted makeup removers and Asarai emphasizes restorative clay masks that create mindful rituals.

Shu Uemura is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1967 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2003.

[loreal-finance.com](https://www.loreal-finance.com/eng/2024-universal-registration-document/en/article/12/) [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/168869-71) [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_Uemura) [sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/vprr/0303/03037595.pdf)

This page compares some of the most popular Shu Uemura and Asarai products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, [use the Lovi app](https://app.pora.ai/vqqJ/j1xj2b6o?af_sub2=compare&af_sub3=selection_note&af_sub4=pg7d98821669).

### Popular Shu Uemura vs Asarai products

#### Shu Uemura

- [cleansing oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/shu-uemura/cleansing-oil/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit — [$50.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNJKPSB8?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

#### Asarai

- [Earth Tones Face Mask](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/asarai/earth-tones-face-mask/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [$24.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCNX2QWV?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

## Questions and answers

### Shu Uemura or Asarai: which is better?

Neither brand is universally better, as Asarai achieves an Average Lovi fit across all listed skin types, whereas Shu Uemura ranges from Average to Caution depending on the skin type. Both brands offer products that list no fragrance.

### What is the difference between Shu Uemura and Asarai?

Asarai has products on this page that rate Average for dry skin, whereas Shu Uemura cleansing oil rates Average for dry skin.

### Which is more affordable, Shu Uemura or Asarai?

Neither Shu Uemura nor Asarai lists pricing or affordability information for the products on this page.

### Which causes fewer breakouts, Shu Uemura or Asarai?

Asarai products on this page get an Average fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Shu Uemura's cleansing oil receives a Low to Caution fit level. This means Asarai is less likely to trigger breakouts.

### How does the founding year and corporate ownership compare between Shu Uemura and Asarai?

Shu Uemura was founded in Japan in 1967 and has been owned by L'Oreal S.A. since 2003, whereas Asarai was founded more recently in 2018 and is owned by Asarai Inc.

### Which brand offers a face mask versus a cleansing oil among the products listed?

Asarai offers a face mask with the Earth Tones Face Mask, while Shu Uemura offers a cleansing oil among the products on this page.

### Do any of the listed products from Shu Uemura or Asarai contain fragrance in their ingredients?

No, every product on this page from both Shu Uemura and Asarai lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

## Research behind their key ingredients

- [Formation and stability of oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing rice bran oil: in vitro and in vivo assessments](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952107/) Rice bran oil · Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2011
- [Peroxidated squalene induces the production of inflammatory mediators in HaCaT keratinocytes: a possible role in acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16778793/) Squalane · The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006
- [Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30588129/) Aloe barbadensis leaf juice · Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
- [Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17386986/) Camellia japonica seed oil · Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007
- [The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28860834/) Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- [A retrospective assessment and comparison of the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide; the combination of topical niacinamide, gallic acid, and lauric acid; and the combination of benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin in acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32390309/) Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract · Dermatologic Therapy, 2020
- [Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40363772/) Squalane · Molecules, 2025
- [Synergetic Effects of Aloe Vera Extract with Trimethylglycine for Targeted Aquaporin 3 Regulation and Long-Term Skin Hydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38611819/) Betaine · Molecules, 2024
- [The use of different concentrations of betaine as a reducing irritation agent in soaps monitored visually and non-invasively](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12535284/) Betaine · Skin Research and Technology, 2003

## The brands

- Japanese skincare: [Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/brands/shu-uemura)
- Skincare: [Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/brands/asarai)

## More comparisons

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- [The Ordinary vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/the-ordinary-vs-shu-uemura)
- [The Ordinary vs Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/the-ordinary-vs-asarai)
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- [COSRX vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/cosrx-vs-shu-uemura)
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- [CeraVe vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/cerave-vs-shu-uemura)
- [CeraVe vs Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/cerave-vs-asarai)
- [La Roche-Posay vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-shu-uemura)
- [La Roche-Posay vs Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-asarai)
- [Dr. Althea vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/dr-althea-vs-shu-uemura)
- [Dr. Althea vs Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/dr-althea-vs-asarai)
- [Some By Mi vs Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/some-by-mi-vs-shu-uemura)
- [Some By Mi vs Asarai](https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/some-by-mi-vs-asarai)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules its 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. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this comparison: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai (this page)
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/compare/shu-uemura-vs-asarai
