I'm on the fence about this one. It is a bit thicker than I prefer, but it is winter right now and the air is very dry so my dried out skin drinks this up. I don't think this would be as suitable for daily wear on the face in the summer. For a day at the beach, maybe, but not for daily use. I think I'd find it too thick. I do like the high SPF rating, and I love the pretty scent. I think its a bit too high priced for the what it does and how much you get, though. You can get a high SPF cream for a lot less. The packaging is opaque, which is a plus, but the tube doesn't stand up very well on its own, so if it tips over, the product tends to move away from the nozzle and because of the thick consistency, it doesn't flow back very well, which gets frustrating as the tube gets emptied. I think a better package design is needed for this one.

I have very mixed feelings on this product.
It is an extremely effective sun block. It only requires one application to last all day, even in very hot sweaty conditions. There were times when I would realize that I missed a spot because there would be a small strip of severe blistered sunburn, while the rest of my face had no sign of sun exposure. That level of endurance means that specific cleansing is required to remove it. A normal foaming cleanser didn't work and I needed either an oil-based makeup remover, or MIA brush. It is non-irritating. I have very sensitive skin that was diagnosed with rosacea, and this does not bother it at all - if anything, it is calming. Due to the rosacea, I am supposed to use high level SPF every day, and at first this seemed to be an ideal choice. The matte finish subtly perfected the appearance of my skin and it would look flawless in photos with no makeup. There was a slightly pale cast but it looked fairly natural on me. However, after about six months I started noticing that my skin looked dull and unhealthy and the fine lines seemed to have gotten worse. The Shiseido seemed to be dehydrating and aging my skin. Most oddly, my nose got noticeably larger. It seemed to be slightly swollen all the time. Maybe there was a very mild allergic reaction, or something to do with the rosacea? That aspect could have been unrelated to this product. I carried on using the Shiseido for about a year in total because of the difficulty in finding something else that my skin would tolerate. I tried using a moisturiser underneath but it was still drying. Since I stopped using it, I think my skin is improving and my face looks healthier.
Another negative was that the mattifying effect seemed to diminish as I worked my way through each tube. For the first month or two, there would be the nice matte finish, then it would just stay slightly shiny (while also dehydrating my skin).
One final caution - Shiseido sells similar looking products in different countries under similar names - but they can be entirely different. I bought the 50+++ version (both cream and lotion) when I was traveling and it was completely different - extremely shiny, extremely white tone on the skin. Very unnatural.

My favourite sunscreen after trying many!

My skin is combination, dry but I get shiny and I break out really easily. Doesn't break me out and I find it really helps mattify and control oil. Is great with makeup, almost like a primer and does not feel dry. Thicker, creamy consistency and feels very smooth, silky on skin, no greasy feeling at all. I love that it is a physical suncreen and I don't notice any whiteness but then again I am a bit tan so probably wouldn't notice.

Higly recommend for controlling shine and people with combo skin!

I am basing this review from one application. I went to the beach and no tanning at all! But parts of my body got lobster red where I missed application and I can tell that this works!
I can't comment on how this is under makeup and over my lotion. I can't comment if this will break me out, but I think it won't becuase this had an opportunity to melt into my skin under extreme heat & sun and nothing happened.
$30 for 1oz. This tube does not last very long for what you pay for. continued >>

Ok, I dont know why I stray from Shiseido sun blocks. I was using avene which was very thin and runny and made my skin shiny. But I had committed to an entire bottle so I felt the need to continue to use it. Well, it expired in Dec 2011 and I hadn't even finished using the entire bottle but oh well, i threw it out and bought this one. I had used this sunblock before and i liked it. Well I am back on it and I like it very much!
It works as a primer since it's silicon based. the scent is also quite pleasant and the SPF protection level is pretty high so you don't have to worry about reapplying your sunblock only a few hours later. I think that this is as close to a HG sunscreen gets in my book. I have given it a 4 since it is expensive and since silicon may not work for everyone else.

Everything is great about this sunscreen except for the fact that I can't wash it off with my usual cleansers and make-up removers because it is water-proof. I don't want to use an oil based make-up remover because it would just add oil onto my acne prone skin. I bought this in the first place because I heard it would be easy on oily skin. The fact that I have to use an oil based make-up remover to remove it completely defeats the whole purpose. Other than that, the sunscreen really does feel light and oil-free when applied to the skin. It smells great. It is also expensive which is a negative.

I don't usually buy products from such high-end lines as Shiseido because they are expensive. However, I'm glad I gave this product a go. In my quest to find an spf lotion that wouldn't be too greasy (I've come to realize that it's really hard to come across an spf lotion for face that isn't greasy to some degree), I found this gem which isn't greasy AT ALL. It immediately sinks into my skin, it feels like I have nothing on and with its SPF of 50, this product delivers in terms of sun protection. This is possibly one of the greatest innovation I own, I hope it never gets discontinued. Because of that, I am willing to pay the price.
Note: I have tried the baby/sensitive formula SPF 33 that is similar and comes in the same kind of bottle and I can say that it wasn't as good because it is a little bit greasier. It is ever so slightly heavier in texture and non-fragranced. The SPF 50 formula has a slight fragrance but very pleasant.

love this sunscreen! i have combo skin which can be very dry sometimes but also shiny after a few hours and a little buit of acne sometimes. also pale w/ slightly yellow skintone (half-asian). i highly recommend! & these are the basics:

-great UVA coverage & its a physical sunscreen
-doesnt make you look totally white
-NO SHINE ALL DAY LONG! (i dont wear primer or powder anymore & i used to have to b/c my face would b shiny in a few hours)
-very lightweight feel & perfect finish - matte but not dry
-doesnt rub off like some other suncreens
-doesnt break me out at all
-more expensive but definetely worth it & the tube lasts a long time too continued >>

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Beautiful skin requires more than guarding against UV rays at the skin's surface--it demands inner strength. Shiseido suncare optimizes skin's condition, reinforcing inborn defenses with exceptional treatment technology. The Shiseido Dual Sun Protection System combines sun protection and stabilizing skincare to ensure well-being. As it works, it fights immediate and long-term harm such as cell damage caused by UVA/UVB rays, while key ingredients hydrate and retexturize skin. Now, high-performance suncare boasts ultra-light textures and an aromachology-based fragrance. Whatever sun conditions you face, from beach-strong intensity to ordinary daily exposure, you can be confident skin is empowered to be its best.

A highly nourishing cream-formula sunscreen for the face that defends against powerful UVA/UVB rays that caused sunburn, cell damage, dryness, roughness, and premature signs of aging such as fine lines. Smoothes on with no trace of stickiness. Invisible on skin.
• Gives concentrated protection against harmful conditions of UV exposure including beach, boating, and high altitudes.
• Provides excellent hydrating benefits to fight dryness and maintain skin's optimal moisture.
• Formulated with the retexturizing ingredient Xylitol to counteract roughness and keep skin looking soft and healthy.
• Contains non-medicinal Thiotaurine to help combat environmental factors.
• Applies easily and absorbs quickly, leaving no visible white residue.
• Very water-resistant.
• Perspiration-resistant.
• PABA-free.
• Non-comedogenic.
• Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist-tested. (Formulated to minimize the risk of allergy and eye irritation).

To Use: Apply a generous amount of cream evenly over face and neck.

Note:
• After swimming in salt water, first rinse face with fresh water and towel dry before reapplying sunscreen.
• For complete removal of sunscreen, use of a special Shiseido suncare cleanser is recommended.

Sun Safety Tips:
• Apply evenly 20 minutes before sun exposure.
• Reapply regularly as needed, particularly after swimming or towel-drying skin.
• Sun exposure should be avoided during the hottest hours of the day, especially by children.
• Seek shade and cover up.
• Tee shirts, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses should be worn.

MY THOUGHTS: I purchased a 50 mL tube of Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Cream SPF 50 for $ 48.00 CAD at the Shiseido counter at The Bay. The cream is advertised for the face, so the thick consistency seems ideal. The cream blends evenly, has a light fragrance, and doesn't leave any shine or white cast on the surface (note my skin type as this may differ for others). I previously returned a can of Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 30 because I found the consistency too oily on my skin, the fragrance was overwhelming, and the residue stained my clothing after a load of laundry. In comparison, the Shiseido sunscreen meets everything I'm looking for. I did test a small amount on a white sock to determine if this product would stain my clothing or not. To my surprise, it actually made my sock brighter--similar to a bleach stain. So, I assume this product contains some kind of bleaching agent. According to the FDA, this sunscreen should last 40 minutes when submerged in water. Because this sunscreen is oil-based, you will be required to use a cleansing oil to remove the product.
 
I'm not really fond of the packaging. It reminds me of those L'Oreal fish-shaped shampoos they had in the 90's. I did take a point off because it did bleach my sock, which makes me wonder what it will do to my face since I'm already as white as anyone could possibly be. I'd rather add colour to my skin than turn into a ghost.

After performing an oil migration test, I discovered this product had a positive result.

PAULA BEGOUN: Very good (but overpriced). ($33 for 2 ounces) is an in-part zinc oxide sunscreen for normal to slightly dry skin that definitely covers the broad spectrum bases and has a silky texture. It's a shame antioxidants are scarce here, because in a sunscreen that costs this much they should be plentiful.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Zinc Oxide 13.9%, Octinoxate 7.4%.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Water, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Disteardimoniu Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dextrin Palmitate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymers, Xylitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Glutahione, Sodium Glutamate, Zinc Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Thiotaurine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Onions Spinosa Root Extract, Extoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isotearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium Edta, Silica, Alcohol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide. continued >>

I have been using this sunscreen for the past year- went through about three bottles and about half of my fourth. A tube of this lasts about four months with everyday use and it costs close to $50 CAD. Most sunscreens/sunblocks turn my face into an oil slick but this one seemed not to- in fact it dried to a matte finish on my skin. I'm quite fair so this didn't leave any white cast on my face. For the past year, I thought, "Hey! This is the perfect sunscreen! I've finally found my HG sunscreen!" Then the nightmare began, I am not gorgeous but I do pride myself on having perfect skin. After a year of continual use of this sunscreen my skin turned into a dry, flaky mess. My skin looked deadened to the point where my doctor thought I was anemic and I looked so much older. I definitely didn't have sun damage (this sunscreen protects extremely well) but my skin had so easily absorbed the metals in this sunscreen that it wasn't healthy anyways. I stopped using this for about two weeks and my skin looked plumper and more alive- it went straight back to being happy and healthy.

Medicinal Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide 13.9% W/W
Oxyde de Zinc 13.9% P/P
Octinoxate 7.4% W/W
Octinoxate 7.4% P/P

I now use Coppertone NutraShield SPF 60 as my sunscreen and it is wonderful. It goes on smoothly whereas with the Shiseido one it dried too quickly and was hard to spread. The Nutrashield is definitely not an oily sunscreen and yet it is not drying either (it has moisturizing antioxidants in it). To top it off it is only within the price range of $12-$14 CAD and is 177mL compared to Shiseido's 50mL. It'll last the whole year and is perfect for my skin type! I love it and will continue to purchase. I've given away my Shiseido one since there's no way I can still use it.
For Reference: My skin is normal to dry