Senka is one of Shiseido's many drugstore lines. This review is for the one that comes in a smaller blue bottle (SPF50, 40ml) and not the white bottle (SPF27, 80ml). I've tested this sunscreen a number of times, it's relatively easy to find in Asian drugstores and for a while at least (this was the summer of '11) there were testers everywhere you turned. Starting with the texture it's runny but also slightly viscous. The first thing I noticed was the strong smell of alcohol when I put this on, it was strong enough to make my eyes water a little but I took it as preliminary sign that the sunscreen would be relatively matte and non-greasy upon drying. Unfortunately the texture remained greasy to the touch throughout the day for me, it reminded me slightly of Neutrogena Dry Touch of all things. I can understand why reviewers would consider this 'light-weight' because it definitely is compared to Euro and American formulations, but it's one of the greasier-feeling sunscreens on the Japanese market. It also leaves a white cast on me, unlike the SPF27, I can't imagine this looking cosmetically elegant with a full 1/4 tsp (unless you're going for the paler look). I really wanted to like this one because it's dirt cheap and has a nice, citrusy smell but I just couldn't get it to work on my combo skin and would rather pay double the price for something that does.

I use a lot of different Japanese sunscreens since I have to wear sunscreen daily living in Florida. They're in general more cosmetically elegant than what's offered here in America with higher and labeled UVA too. I find this is a staple sunscreen in my stash of sunscreens, and I'm on my third bottle of this sunscreen with an extra backup. Looking at all the other reviews, I'm not the only repeat buyer which isn't surprising. This is a really nice everyday sunscreen with both high UVA and UVB protection (spf 50+ PA+++) that is easy on my pocket as well.

It has a siliconey feel that makes it easy to spread but doesn't cause any breakouts for my pretty clog-prone skin. It dries to a smooth natural matte finish, not super matte like some of the milk type Japanese sunscreens can. Because of this, it also serves as a great primer or base for my makeup. The one thing I should point out about this sunscreen is that there is a pretty high alcohol smell which thankfully dissipates pretty quickly. Looking at the ingredient list, alcohol is listed as the fifth ingredient. I have combination skin that can lean oily or dry depending on the weather, and this hasn't dried out my skin. I actually find it fairly moisturizing when I first put it on and I think the alcohol just helps it dry faster. In my opinion, unless you have very dry skin, this would be a great sunscreen to try.

As with all sunscreens, you should apply at least 1/4 of a teaspoon for your face (~1.25 ml) or more if possible. Try measuring it out - it's a lot more than you think! Since this sunscreen is 40ml, it should last a month if used daily. If the bottle lasts longer than that and you're using it daily, then you might not be using enough to achieve the level of protection the sunscreen guarantees. As of right now, the price for this sunscreen can range from $12 to $18 depending on where you buy it. The cheapest place to buy it seems to be from AdamBeauty ($12.50 and ~ $2 registered mail for as many items as you want) and Cosme-De ($12.00 free shipping). This is actually a cheap price for a very decent sunscreen. This sunscreen is sweatproof, and while I think it's a great everyday sunscreen, if you're going to be exposed to the sun more intensely or for a longer time (say on the beach), look for a more waterproof sunscreen milk instead.

I watched Fuzkittie's review on Youtube and decided to give it a try. Love it love it love it. Great sunscreen. Truly mattifying. Does have a gel like texture which doesn't bother me at all. I'm on my second bottle now and just ordered 3 more from imomoko.com for $16.99 a bottle. It will be great for summer time. Would purchase again.

I am on my 5th bottle of this sunscreen! I am breakout prone but silicone doesn't seem to bother me! If you are sensitive to cones beware, it contains quite a bit of silicones. I apply this in the morning without using moisturiser. I have combination skin and find that if I do wear moisturiser under this SS I do get more oily. On its own it works really well. What I like is that this is a 3 in 1 product for me: sunscreen, moisturiser and makeup primer! The silicone in the SS gives my skin a velvety feeling and makeup goes on smooth. I find it hard to find SS that does not make me too oily, dry me out or causes me to look like a ghost. This is the one for me! It does not make me dry or oily and has no white cast. I don't tan when I use this but I do wear hats/use parasol in the summer. This SS does not break me out, which is very important! I use this every day without issues. For a daily sunscreen I prefer it not to be waterproof as I am too worried that it won't wash off properly.
I have used this for a while now and don't plan on trying any other sunscreens until they stop making this (PLEASE DON'T!)
EDIT(16/04/2012) I still love Senka and use this around my eyes every day. For summer though I prefer Biore perfect face milk as it controls oil better!

I bought this out of curiosity, while researching sunscreens, not anticipating this slightly mattifying, silicone-based Asian sunscreen fluid would really work for my dry, sensitive skin. Nevertheless, I think Senka is truly excellent. Even if not suited for my skin type, it'll be perfect on those very hot, humid, sticky days when it's loathsome to put anything onto your skin. If you hate the texture of sunscreens, Senka is pretty close to invisible, a slightly rubbery feel typical of "matte" sunscreens, with a touch of alcohol to aid evaporation, and yet it does not dry down so quickly you cannot blend it out for even coverage. The UV filters are a sophisticated blend, comprehensive but somewhat stronger on UVB protection: octinoxate, octocrylene, parsol SLX, zinc oxide, ensulizole, and uvinul a plus. It does not pill. Though water-resistant, it removes readily with a gentle cleanser. Scent is minimal, barely detectable. It's considerably cheaper in Japan, but $17 from ebay is not too bad.

EDIT 12/9/2011: I love this sunscreen. I wear it daily. 1 small bottle lasts me just over 2 months, so it's quite economical! I have already bought a few backups, and it does NOT break me out! Upped to 5 lippies.

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Overall: 4
Price: 2 ($17/40 mL on Ebay)
Packaging: 4
Buy Again: Yes
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I heard about this sunscreen after watching FuzKittie's sunscreen video on youtube. I had used asian sunscreens before, and while I loved their lightweight, watery texture, perhaps the one I'd tried before didn't agree with my skin and caused me to break out. Anyway, I found this on Ebay.ca for $17 (incl shipping), so I was pretty happy, because I was deciding between this one, and Shiseido Perfect Essence Sunscreen SPF 50, and that was $43/60 mL.

Packaging:
- gets 4/5 because it is in an opaque, dark blue plastic packing, so I can't see how much is left inside. But, I do love that its packaging is compact and small, so it's perfect for traveling or just tossing into your purse. I also like the nozzle tip with helps you dispense the perfect amount.

Texture:
- It actually does have a gel-lotion consistency -- it's definitely not just "liquid", which is good because then it's easier to control the amount you use and easier to put onto the skin. It feels smooth as you massage it in, and after you let it soak in (1-2 mins) it dries to a powder matte finish (there is talc in it).

Sunscreen agents:
This sunscreen contains:
- Zinc Oxide - UVA/UVB
- Octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) - mostly UVB only
- Octocrylene - mostly UVB only
- Parsol SLX (Polysilicone-15) - UVA/stabilizer
- Ensulizole (phenylbenzamidazole Sulfonic Acid) - UVB
- Uvinul A Plus (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate) -- absorbs UVA
- complete ingredients list: http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_8d0548763.html
Anyway, I'm liking it so far. It's super lightweight, you can't even feel it's on, and it has a light pleasant fragrance of orange oil. The only reason why I'm giving it a 4 right now is that I'm not sure if it has contributed to some breakouts I'm having. I'll update when I know!