There is only one woman I know of, who is a bigger shopo-holic when it comes to beauty products then me, that woman happens to be my mom! She is a very hard to please customer who doesn’t get excited about just any newly discovered product, no matter how beautifully packed, well presented and advertised it is. Once every blue moon however when she finds something really, really good, the shopping-spree begins. Naturally the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and so it should come as no surprise at all that when one hard to please shop-o-holic told another even harder to please and impress shop-o-holic, about the almost magical powers of so many Shiseido products, the budget for beauty products was cancelled ( who needs to eat!) and the shopping spree began. I bought more than I should have but It’s Beyond My Control. Here are my Top 10 Shiseido products.
1) Shiseido Refining Moisturizer Enriched IBUKI
Top 10 Shiseido products
Though I’m still a big fan of Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, I’ve been using Shiseido’s Refining Moisturizer Enriched IBUKI (GBP 42) for the past five months and will continue to do so as for me it’s the No.1 moisturiser on the market! I love the very delicate smell of it, which some would say is almost undetectable. I would also add that it doesn’t leave a greasy filter on the face which is incredibly important if you are applying foundation on top of it. Also, it dries really fast and yet the skin on the face feels deeply hydrated. If you could buy only one product from Shiseido that would be definitely the one to opt for!
2) Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 (GBP 69) is an age defying, night-time moisturiser for women in their 40s. I bought it by accident (grabbed the wrong box) as I was buying lots of other Shiseido products and didn’t noticed until a month later. Happy accident indeed! I’ve been using the moisturiser in the evening after I had run out of Shiseido Ultimune and liked the results very much as it leaves my skin deeply moisturised and smooth.
3) Shiseido Bio Performance Super Revitalising Cream
Top 10 Shiseido products
Targeting fine lines and wrinkles, preventing further signs of ageing, Shiseido’s Bio Performance Super Revitalising Cream (GBP 78) is perfect for all skin types from 30s onwards. Bio Performance was the first cosmetic line composed of Bio-Hyaluronic Acid, known for its ability to retain moisture and as the source of natural moisturising. It feels fantastic on the skin and after five months of using it in the evening, I can honestly say that my fine lines are almost invisible. I would add that according to Mr de Merteuil, I didn’t have any fine lines in the first place so I might not be the best case study.
4) Shiseido White Lucent Power Brightening Mask
Top 10 Shiseido products
I’ve bought many brightening masks in my life, some I like a little bit more than others but I haven’t found one that would make me really happy with the results, until I used Shiseido’s White Lucent Power Brightening Mask (USD68). I’m now addicted to it! If it’s to be believed what it says on the Shiseido official website, the mask was inspired by iontophoresis, a treatment that saturates skin with brightening ingredients. The results are impressive, my skin looked brighter even after the first use.
5) Shiseido Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam
Shiseido Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam (GBP 43) is a very rich foaming cleanser that is perfect for removing impurities. I start my morning beauty routine by applying a tiny amount of the cleanser onto my face and neck, massaging the skin for about two minutes then rinsing with water. The product is very delicate and doesn’t dry the skin as much as so many other cleansers on the market. I’m not crazy about the smell as it’s a little bit soapy for my taste and I would love if it smelled like the Super Corrective Serum, but that’s just me being obsessed with certain scents.
6) Shiseido Cleansing Oil
Top 10 Shiseido products
Shiseido Cleansing Oil (USD 32)can be used on dry or wet skin to remove make-up . I use this particular cleansing oil, interchangeable with the Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam, to remove impurities. When it comes to make-up removers, I’m a huge fan of Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/I for dry, sensitive skin and I’m hard to impress, but the Shiseido Cleansing Oil is definitely second best and will have a permanent place on my bathroom shelf. It smells great too, you don’t need to use much and it leaves the skin feeling moisturised.
7) Shiseido’s Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask
Shiseido’s Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask (GBP 59), reduces the appearance of wrinkles instantly and no surprise there, after all Retinol is considered one of the most effective anti-ageing ingredients in the world as it “attacks” corner crinkling, crow’s feet and under eye wrinkles. It should be used 2-3 times a week and considering that there are 12 packets there is no need to save it only for the special occasions 🙂 What can I say, It’s Beyond My Control.
8) Shiseido Super Corrective Serum Bio- Performance
Top 10 Shiseido products
Shiseido’s Super Corrective Serum from the Bio-Performance line (GBP 89) is what I call “The Photoshop effect” as your skin feels unbelievably smooth after using it and fine lines disappear (for a while). I can only compare it to the feeling that I have after coming back from a two hour- facial! I haven’t been using it every day but rather for special occasions and I’m very tempted to test it every day for three weeks to see if the facial contours will indeed appear to look lifted. It also smells divine and reminds me of an old fashioned powder.
9) Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 34
Shiseido’s Sun Protection Eye Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 34 Sunscreen is an absolute must have for women like me who cherish their porcelain white skin and want to protect it from the sun’s damaging influence. I’ve been using Shiseido’s Sun Protective Lotion with SPF 50 for few years now because in my opinion, it’s the best one on the market and I simply couldn’t resist buying something else from their sun care range. I wasn’t disappointed with my new find either! It’s perfect for everyday use especially in the Summer, it’s water resistant, absorbs fast and what’s really important to me, It’s not sticky like some of the other brands I’ve tried.
10) Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (GBP60) Last but not least a little miracle worker that I can’t imagine not to use as a part of my daily beauty regime! I use it every morning before applying the moisturiser and I can’t say if it’s due to the combination of both products but my skin feel hydrated and smoother like never before.
Yesi
October 2, 2020Hi, have you ever use their balancing and softener lotions? I wanna buy it but still a little bit confused. Will The products results be same with Ultimune power infusing? Should i buy both of them or just one of them will be enough? Thank you
Dominique de Merteuil
October 2, 2020Hi,
Are you looking for an anti-ageing product?
I love how my skin looks and feels after applying the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate and I’ve been using it for years!
However, my skin has very different needs now, then five years ago. I’ve spoken to several beauticians and someone who works for a cosmetic lab. The consensus is that the ONLY way to prevent and minimise wrinkles is by using a cream with a high percentage of Retinol and it doesn’t matter what brand it is. Unfortunately, there are VERY few brands that use a high percentage of Retinol in their creams and serums. The key is to know how to use it correctly!
I’ve been using on and off Avene anti-wrinkle cream and it works well, but I’m really curious about Sesderma Retises 0,5% as I’ve heard great things about it.
Going back to your question. Shiseido Balancing Softener is, in theory, an age-defying product and the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate makes the skin feel soft and it deserves its own separate category 🙂 My advice, DON’T spend money on both!
Make sure that whatever cosmetic you choose is right for your skin type! For example, I have very dry skin and since I use a cream with Retinol, which is VERY drying, I also need a moisturiser AND rose oil. If your skin is oily, you should NOT use any oils as they will block your pores.
Dx
Briana Klauss
June 10, 2018Usually products make my skin oily or make me break out. So I rarely find something that works for wrinkles and works for my oily / combination skin.
But I have a friend who kept going on and on about this company Made from Earth and their products, and I tried their Vitamin Enhanced Firming Serum – and WOW!!! I’ve been using it every morning and every night. My skin doesn’t break out or get oily
The first night I used it, I swear my skin was tighter. But I thought maybe it was just my imagination so I held off on writing a review. I’ve used it for a week now and it definitely feels a little tighter!
Dominique de Merteuil
June 15, 2018The skin on my face is very dry of late and I have to be careful what I use as I’m prone to allergic reaction. I’m not familiar with Made from Earth company so can’t really comment on their products.
Louise
February 22, 2018I have been broadening my Shiseido line and so far love all of the products I have tried which are prob the top 5 of the products you love. I will now try the Ultimune Power to add to my regime. I am Japanese and my mom has been using Shiseido creams and cleaners and her skin looks great. I started when I was about 50 years old, because of the cost, but now I realize they are well worth the care and radiance. I can’t stress enough how it makes me feel everyday and every night. I love the smell and texture and how my skin looks and feels. Thank you for introducing me to new stuff!
Dominique de Merteuil
February 23, 2018Thank you so much for your comment!
Shiseido products are really great but sadly they come with a hefty price tag and not everyone can afford the entire line. If I had to choose only 3 products out of my top 10 list it would be; Shiseido Refining Moisturizer Enriched IBUKI, Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate because you need very little of it and Shiseido Cleansing Oil! Also, I haven’t found a better sun protection lotion than the SPF 50+ from Shiseido and it’s still my number 1 product for the Summer as it’s 100% tan-proof.
Navya
April 7, 2018Can u pls share which spf are you talking about?
Dominique de Merteuil
April 9, 2018Hi Navya,
In the Summer I always use the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream for face SPF 50+. I also have the Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion 50+ which can be used on face and body!
NMT
March 18, 2017I am 35 yrs old but was recommended Shiseido beneficiance to 0revent signs of aging. I am African and have not seen wrinkles in my family (including my 80 ++ yr old grandma ) or myself yet but i live in Canada and they live i. Africa so i did not want to take chances.
My experience with Shiseido Beneficiance anti wrinkle has been different than the positive reviews online ..am I the only one ? For one my skin has become much darker yet I am african. …does it have a darkening ingredient ? Secondly my skin looks really dry and ashy…….seriously I am worried…..it looks and feels really dry..almost ashy….has anyone else experienced this ? I had stopped using this advanced anti age beneficiance for the same reason in the past and gonne to ibuki and was ok with ibuki..but after yrs went back to replenish my bottle ..was advised by the sales person go try beneficiance ….maybe i looked like i am in my 40s…..told them i was 35…they insisted..so i went back to it again..and honestly…same.dryness whitish ashy skin..is it just me…..is this product good for all skin types ??
Dominique de Merteuil
March 20, 2017If your skin is similar to mine (dry, very sensitive and prone to allergic reactions), you should “listen” to your skin and not a sales person who is probably on commission! I’ve been using Shiseido products for years because they are great for my skin and my No 1 moisturiser still remains Refining Moisturizer IBUKI. If you experience itchiness and dryness on your skin after having used a new cosmetic you should stop using it immediately. I’m really puzzled why your skin would go darker after using the BENEFIANCE anti wrinkle cream. My mom uses the BENEFIANCE day cream, night emulsion and loves it. As I said, every skin is different and you would be surprised how many well-known creams, considered the best in the world (definitely the most expensive on the market) have caused a really bad reaction on my skin. The bottom line is, if the cosmetic (cream, lipstick, foundation, mascara etc) is not good for you personally discontinue using it!
Best,
Dominique
Nola
March 9, 2017I’ve recently bought the White Lucent Power Brightening Mask and love it! Very helpful article Dominique!
Nola x
Dominique de Merteuil
October 2, 2020Thank you!
Rose Evans
February 25, 2017Love Shiseido products! Thank you for the very helpful article.
Cheers,
Rose
Maryam
February 28, 2020Hello dear !! Loved ur review
Ina shisiedo fan n used their ultimmune serum n super advanced revitalising cream in love wd that too
Which products wd u recommend for my combination to oily skin type n I’m 38.. I loved their pureness wash which has been discontinued .. I’m confused between Elemis marine cream and ibuki moisturiser .. wd appreciate which and why u prefer one over the other .. also ur advice on face wash wd be lancome or shisiedo ??
I will try the sun protective lotion spf 50 n hoe it suits my oily skin !!❤️
Dominique de Merteuil
March 3, 2020Hello Maryam,
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Firstly, let me tell you how utterly jealous I am of your combination to oily skin type. That’s what my skin used to be when I was in my 20s and, I complained about it a lot! Now that I have to deal with very dry skin, I really miss my oily skin. 🙂
I’ve learned over the years that as my skin gets older it needs more and more attention and stronger creams.
I LOVE both, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and Ibuki moisturiser! Frankly, I don’t feel much difference in how my skin feels after applying Elemis or Shiseido, it feels wonderful! Ibuki is a little bit richer than Marine Cream and the latter is advertised mainly as an anti-ageing cream.
Have you ever tried the Avène brand? I haven’t used their moisturiser so can’t comment on that, but I’ve been using the Avène YsthéAL cream for over a year now, and it’s a real anti-wrinkle miracle-worker!
I don’t use Lancome face wash so I can’t comment on how good or bad it is. At the moment I use the SHISEIDO Perfect Cleansing Oil but it might not be great for your skin type. Perhaps the Deep Cleansing Foam for oily skin would be better? I can also wholeheartedly recommend Shu Uemura cleansing oils!!!
I haven’t found anything better than the SPF50+ sunscreen lotion! Allegedly, it’s for all skin types. One word of advice, don’t forget to wash your hands with soap after you apply the lotion on your body or face. It can leave white marks on a leather bag. That’s what happened to me!
Hope that helps!
Dominique de Merteuil
October 2, 2020Thank you!