A century of UV research.

Shiseido began studying the effects of ultraviolet light in 1915, long before sun protection was a daily habit. By 1992, decades of lab work culminated in a dedicated line. Today, Anessa Sunscreen is recognized globally as the standard for high-performance UV care.

The brand was built on a simple premise: sun protection shouldn’t feel like a compromise. Historically, heavy filters meant a sticky finish and a white cast. Anessa changed that by engineering formulas that offer maximum UVA and UVB blockage but wear like a lightweight primer. Exactly 50% of the formula consists of active skincare ingredients, meaning it hydrates the skin throughout the day rather than drying it out.

But the primary objective remains functional. Sunscreen only works if it stays on the skin. Anessa’s chemists focus heavily on solving the exact reasons protection fails, friction, water, sweat, and heat. This continuous iteration in Tokyo is why it has remained the top-selling suncare brand in Japan for over two straight decades.