Shiseido skincare has been one of the most popular Asian skincare brands for decades. But does their men’s range show as much promise and ingenuity as the rest of their skin care products? Today, we’re diving into this classic beauty brand to see just how effective their men’s range is. So without further adieu, let’s get started!
Who is the Shiseido Men’s range For?
The Shiseido Men’s range was desired with men in mind, but as a whole, can be used by most skin types. There are certain products that would be better suited for those with dry or oily skin types, so we do recommend reading up on a specific product to know for sure which one will best suit your skin type.
The Skin Care Line
Shiseido was started in 1872 in Ginza, Tokyo as Japan’s first private pharmacy. Since then, the brand has expanded to become an internationally bestselling makeup and skincare brand.
Looking at their men’s range, Shiseido offers a number of products to create a targeted skincare routine. These include cleansers, moisturizers and treatment products, all utilizing some of the most advanced formulas that Shiseido has created during their long history. In this men’s collection, there are a number of best selling and award winning products including the Multi Solution Gel, the Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42, the Moisturizing Emulsion and the Cleansing Foam.
Starting out with some of their best sellers, the Cleansing Foam is an excellent option for those who are looking for a multi-purpose cleansing product. This cleanser effectively removes dirt and debri, but the lather that is created from this product is also substantial enough to be used as a shaving cream. Like many of the products from Shiseido the Cleansing Foam is non-comedogenic as well as dermatologist tested.
Another one of the bestsellers that are available from Shiseido Men is the Moisturizing Emulsion. This emulsion is inspired by hydration-focused Asian skincare routines, which utilize lightweight products like essences and emulsions to deliver thin layers of consistent hydration, rather than one thick layer of rich cream. This can often be a great solution for those who have sensitive or oily skin types, as those heavy moisturizers can be problematic and potentially pore clogging. The Moisturizing Emulsion was designed to act as a light, fast absorbing hydrator that utilizes technologies like their Damage Defense Complex to improve skin’s natural protective barrier.
Moving on to some of the award winners from Shiseido, we have the Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42. Asian skincare brands have really led the charge on crafting more cosmetically elegant sunscreen solutions, and the Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector is no different. This sunscreen was designed to be used daily, and feel ultra-lightweight on the skin. The liquid formula allows the product to blend seamlessly into the skin without leaving behind any uncomfortable, sticky or greasy residue.
Formula Focus
Looking more closely at some of the standout products from this line, the formulas behind this products feature a number of unique technologies and ingredients. Starting off with the Cleansing Foam, this product starts off with a base of water, myristic acid, stearic acid, PEG-6 and PEG-32. Myristic and stearic acid act mainly as emulsifiers in this formula, with stearic acid also potentially acting as a surfactant. PEG-6 and PEG-32 both act as synthetic emollients or moisturizers which help to conditioner the skin and prevent the formula from becoming drying or stripping.
As a whole, this product has a distinct lack of any beneficial ingredients such as botanical extracts, vitamins or antioxidants. Depending on how you look at it, or your skincare preferences, this can be both a positive and a negative. The clear downside for this method of formulating is that you’re not getting any of the benefits that come along with this ingredients. That said however, because this product is a cleanser, the Cleansing Foam is washed off almost as soon as it’s put on. This means that any ingredient will not have the time to absorb into the skin before the product is washed away. Formulating in such a way allows the rest of your skincare routine to shine. For example, if you’re using an emulsion or serum like Shiseido Men’s Ibuki Solution Gel, this product will deliver all of those beneficial ingredients, instead of relying on a cleanser to do so.
Serums like the Ibuki Solution Gel are formulated with a variety of active ingredients to target specific skin concerns including acne and enlarged pores. The formula includes ingredients like salycilic acid as well as the PhytoTarget complex which is exclusive to Shiseido products. With that said, it is worth noting that this product also contains alcohol and silicones, so if you have exceptionally dry or exceptionally sensitive skin, you’ll want to perform a patch test before incorporating this product into your regular routine.
How to Use the Shiseido Men’s Range
The products from the Shiseido Men’s range were designed to form a dedicated skincare routine based on your own skin concerns. Because of this, many of these products can be mixed and matched to create a custom routine that suits your skin. For example, those with oily and acne prone skin may find that a lightweight emulsion is all they need to keep their skin hydrated, while those with dry or mature skin types can use two or three different hydrating steps to thoroughly moisturize the skin without becoming too heavy or rich.
Review Recap
Looking at some of the products from the Shiseido Men’s range, we can see that by and large, the range is well received. For example, the Ibuki Multi Solution Gel currently has 10 reviews, with an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers were quick to point out how quickly this product was able calm down and begin to heal inflamed, irritated acne marks. But we’d love to hear from you! What have you tried from the Shiseido Men’s range? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below!
