By Koto
Quick Verdict
Short answer: Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk is the standout. We ranked five Japanese sunscreens that are popular in Japan and actually shippable to the US via Amazon.
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At a Glance
| Rank | Product | Best For | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk (Anessa) | Beach and pool days that need real water resistance | Check price on Amazon → |
| #2 | by365 Powdery UV Cream, Tone-Up (Narisup Up) | Mattifying daily wear under makeup | Check price on Amazon → |
| #3 | by365 Powdery UV Gel (Narisup Up) | Clear, scent-free protection for hands and arms | Check price on Amazon → |
| #4 | Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (Biore) | Watery, fast-absorbing daily wear | Check price on Amazon → |
| #5 | Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence, Mint Green (Skin Aqua) | Softening redness under makeup | Check price on Amazon → |
Methodology
We started with @cosme’s (Japan’s largest beauty review platform) popularity ranking for sunscreens, filtered to Japanese brands with an active Amazon US listing. Full methodology →
This month’s top picks across all categories →
Picks #4 and #5 come from @cosme’s body sunscreen ranking. Both are sold in Japan for face and body, so they fit here too.
Missing a favorite? Familiar names like Kanebo’s Allie aren’t on this list. Every pick has to clear two bars: a high spot on @cosme’s face sunscreen ranking as of September 29, 2026, and an Amazon US listing for the same Japanese product. A well-known product drops out when it ranks below these picks on @cosme, or when the version sold on Amazon US isn’t the one ranked in Japan.
#1. Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk (Anessa)
Buying note: Amazon’s listing is labeled a 2022-model import. Japan’s current release is the 2024 “NA” version of the same product line.
@cosme rank: #10 in Sunscreens (Face)
Pros
- No White Cast — It dries down matte with no white cast and does not stain dark clothing, which suits anyone who wants beach or pool protection without the chalky look.
- Water Resistant — Buyers call it a “holy grail” for water and sweat resistance and say it sinks in fast with no stickiness, so it fits swimmers and long days outdoors.
Cons
- High Maintenance — The two-layer formula separates in the bottle and needs a firm shake before each use, plus a proper body wash to come off, which frustrates anyone after a low-effort routine.
- Thin Dry-Skin Data — English reviews lean toward broad praise with little detail on very dry skin, so patch test if that is you.
Koto’s take: Japanese reviewers reach for Anessa specifically because it survives an actual ocean or pool day, not just a walk to the train station — that’s a higher bar than most “water-resistant” claims on US shelves.
Where to buy: Check price on Amazon
#2. by365 Powdery UV Cream, Tone-Up (Narisup Up)
Buying note: Sold by a Japan-import specialist seller. The same listing also offers “No Color” and Gel format options.
@cosme rank: #14 in Sunscreens (Face)
Pros
- Doubles As Primer — Reviewers find it non-drying and non-sticky despite the powdery finish, and several say it blurs pores enough to drop a separate primer, which helps combination or oily skin cut a step.
- Thin US Reviews — This listing is still too new for a real English review base, and its one rating so far is five stars, which is a single data point rather than a pattern.
Cons
- Needs Technique — The powdery finish takes some practice to blend without patchiness, and reviewers who wear it only for light daily use say it is hard to gauge how much protection they get, which is a drawback if you want a foolproof application.
- No US Track Record — The same thin review base means there is no documented pattern of Amazon-side complaints yet.
Koto’s take: This sits at the budget end of Japanese sun care, and it’s popular in Japan precisely because it doesn’t force a choice between price and finish the way a lot of drugstore sunscreens do.
Where to buy: Check price on Amazon
#3. by365 Powdery UV Gel (Narisup Up)
Buying note: Same import listing as the Tone-Up Cream above, sold as the “Gel Type” variant.
@cosme rank: #27 in Sunscreens (Face)
Pros
- Clear And Scentless — Reviewers buy it for hands and arms because it dries clear with no white marks on bag straps or dark clothes, and several note no sunscreen smell, which helps anyone who has avoided sunscreen over scent.
- Thin US Reviews — Same limited data as the Cream, one listing still building a review base.
Cons
- Possible Breakouts — At least one acne-prone reviewer reported breakouts, so it is not a sure fit for reactive skin, and a patch test makes sense if you break out easily.
- No US Pattern Yet — There are not enough English reviews yet to spot a pattern.
Koto’s take: The gel format is what Japanese reviewers reach for when they want a sunscreen that genuinely disappears — no scent, no cast, no residue on clothes. That’s a narrower promise than “skincare in a sunscreen,” but it’s one this actually keeps.
Where to buy: Check price on Amazon
#4. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (Biore)
Buying note: Imported Japanese 70g version, listed on Amazon US under the importer name SKINSINS. One buyer noticed the ingredient label differs from the US version.
@cosme rank: #9 in Body Sunscreens
Pros
- Watery Texture — It melts in like a light lotion, so it suits rushed mornings.
- Clear Finish — It goes on without a white layer.
- Soft Skin Feel — Skin feels moisturized afterward, close to a lightweight body lotion.
Cons
- Eye Sting — It can sting if it gets near your eyes, so wash your hands after applying.
- Slight Tackiness — A few users mention a light stickiness for the first several minutes.
Koto’s take: A Japanese drugstore staple with a long fan base. It feels like almost nothing on, but keep it away from your eyes.
Where to buy: Check price on Amazon
#5. Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence, Mint Green (Skin Aqua)
Buying note: The Amazon US listing defaults to the Mint Green shade, 80g.
@cosme rank: #17 in Body Sunscreens
Pros
- Color Correction — The mint tint softens the look of redness and brightens fair skin.
- Makeup Base — Reviewers use it as a primer that leaves a light, even glow.
- Pleasant Scent — Long-time users like the fresh fragrance.
Cons
- Pilling Risk — It can ball up when layered under makeup or rubbed in too hard.
- Firm Texture — Some find it thicker and slower to spread than other watery sunscreens.
Koto’s take: Reach for this one when you want a tint on your face, neck and chest along with sun protection. Dry skin will want a moisturizer underneath.
Where to buy: Check price on Amazon
How to choose Japanese sunscreens
Start with where you will wear it. Japanese sunscreens are formulated for very different days, from a beach to a desk under makeup.
- Beach, pool or sports days: Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk is the water-resistant pick.
- Daily wear under makeup: by365 Powdery UV Cream, Tone-Up dries matte and evens tone a little.
- Body, hands and arms: by365 Powdery UV Gel is the clear, scent-free option for large areas.
Read SPF and PA. SPF rates UVB protection. PA rates UVA on a scale from PA+ to PA++++. Most Japanese daily sunscreens sit at SPF 50+ and PA++++, so texture and finish usually decide the pick.
Know the textures. Milk formulas need a shake and suit active days. Gels feel the lightest. Tone-up creams add a tint that brightens skin, so try them before relying on them as your only base.
Use enough and reapply. The rating on the label assumes a generous layer. Reapply after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
FAQ
Is this the same formula sold in Japan?
For the Anessa Milk, the Amazon listing is labeled a 2022-model import, while Japan’s current shelf version is the 2024 “NA” release of the same line — same core formula family, minor yearly update. The by365 Cream and Gel are current Japan-market stock sold through a Japan-import specialist seller.
Will these ship to the US, and how long does it take?
Yes, but since these are import listings rather than direct US retail from Anessa or Kose, delivery windows can run longer than a typical Prime item. Check the listed delivery estimate on each product page before ordering if you need it by a specific date.
Do I need a different SPF number than what I’d buy in the US?
No — SPF works the same way on the label. PA++++ is a UVA-specific rating used across Japan and much of Asia that US sunscreens don’t carry, so if you’re matching for maximum protection, just look for SPF50+ and PA++++ together, which all three products here have.
What is the most popular sunscreen in Japan?
Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk ranks #10 on @cosme’s face sunscreen ranking as of September 29, 2026, the highest of the picks sold on Amazon US. by365 Powdery UV Cream, Tone-Up follows at #14.
Can I wear these under makeup?
Yes. Let the sunscreen set for a few minutes before foundation. by365 Powdery UV Cream, Tone-Up is made for this, with a matte finish and a light tint.
More Japanese picks
- Best Japanese face creams on Amazon US
- Best Japanese makeup removers on Amazon US
- Best Japanese pressed powder on Amazon US
Rankings based on @cosme as of September 29, 2026. Product details on Amazon change often, so check the listing (size, seller, version) before you buy.