Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream for dry skin
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your dry skin due to the humectant action of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which provide hydration but lack sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal moisture retention.
- The inclusion of ingredients like 2-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and caffeine offers general skincare benefits that support overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your AM routine. Use it every morning as the final step of your skincare routine.
- Apply after your moisturizer and before putting on makeup. This ensures proper sun protection for your skin.
- Gently spread an even layer over your face and neck. Avoid rubbing too hard to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply on completely dry skin for the best coverage and protection. Make sure your face is clean before application.
- Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 3.6k+ reviewsBased 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 skin?
This cream is a great fit because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help draw in moisture to keep dry skin hydrated. It also includes caffeine and vitamin C to support overall skin health and is safe to use without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this cream a good fit for dry skin by drawing in hydration to keep it feeling soft and smooth. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin help increase skin moisture, while additional ingredients like 2-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, caffeine, and Panax ginseng root extract support overall skin health.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for dry skin?
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a vitamin C derivative that helps brighten uneven skin and fades dark spots while providing antioxidant protection. It is generally well-tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation, though dry skin specifically needs rich ingredients that add moisture and repair the outer barrier to stay smooth and soft.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This moisturizing spf goes in the morning step of your skincare routine, right after a hydrating toner and before your sunscreen. It is safe for your dry skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream in your morning routine before your sunscreen, but when pairing it with retinol at night, a product of this type needs rich, nourishing softeners and sealing ingredients to lock in hydration and prevent dryness.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing spf every morning as part of your regular daytime routine. Daily application helps keep your face soft and protected from the sun.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. It has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients, making it well tolerated.
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, 2017Topical 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, 2019A multi-component dissolving microneedle patch loaded with glabridin, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid, and tranexamic acid effectively reduced chloasma and age spots while demonstrating safety in clinical evaluation, alongside significant antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and melanin-reduction effects in vitro and in vivo.
Polymers, 2023Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Topical 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, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical 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, 2022Enzyme-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, 2015A 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, 2022A 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, 2020A 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, 2011Caffeine 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, 2021Caffeine 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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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