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Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • High compatibility with your combination skin is offered by sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, which provide excellent hydration and plumpness without causing irritation. While the formula is safe and moisturizing, it lacks specific ingredients to address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The formulation provides general hydration benefits suitable for combination skin, but it does not contain specialized ingredients to effectively target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM every morning as the final step of your daily routine.
  • Layer the moisturizing sunscreen after your moisturizer has fully absorbed, right before heading out into the sun .
  • Smooth a nickel-sized amount of the moisturizing sunscreen evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing.
  • Apply the moisturizing sunscreen onto clean, dry skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
  • Perform a patch test before first use and avoid direct contact with the eyes.

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 acne-prone skin?

Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream is a great fit for acne-prone skin because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide deep hydration and a smooth feel without causing irritation. The formula has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, though it helps to include targeted acne-fighting ingredients in your routine to manage breakouts.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin make this cream a great fit because they provide deep hydration and keep your skin plump without causing irritation. The formula has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, though it does not contain specific blemish-fighting ingredients.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.

Biomedicines, 2025Drug Delivery, 2017

What does Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Ethyl ascorbic acid helps calm acne-prone skin by providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that protect skin cells and reduce redness. It also supports skin recovery and defense against daily stressors when used as part of your routine.

Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2023

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cream goes in the morning routine as the moisturizer step, right after your hydrating toner and before your sunscreen. It provides general hydration that is very safe for your skin, though an acne-prone routine also needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to actively clear blemishes.

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

You can use this cream in the morning before sunscreen to keep your skin hydrated, but apply it after your retinol in the evening to help reduce dryness and irritation. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside retinoids is unlikely to lower the treatment's effectiveness and helps keep the skin comfortable.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing spf every morning as part of your daily routine. Applying it regularly helps keep your skin soft and hydrated while protecting it from the sun, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cream is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on acne-prone skin because it has an excellent safety profile, though it does not contain specialized ingredients to treat blemishes. It provides gentle moisture with ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin.

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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Caffeine stimulates metabolic activity in hair follicles and acts as an antioxidant through adenosine pathway interactions, showing potential as an effective and safe management option for hair loss despite current study limitations.

    Molecules, 2025

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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How does it fit your skin?

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