Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen
Sunscreen with no fluorinated ingredient on record, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
Shiseido has no PFAS statement on record for this sunscreen. Our record does not include an ingredient-level check, so look for fluorinated ingredients such as Teflon-type coating on the label.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
sunscreen formulation with water-resistant/waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Shiseido Urban Environment Sunscreen is made of, ingredients and materials
Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear is a water-resistant sunscreen formulation; the brand does not disclose a full ingredient list in publicly available summaries, but Shiseido typically uses organic and mineral UV filters (likely avobenzone, octinoxate, or titanium dioxide variants). Water resistance claims imply either silicone or polymer-based film formers rather than traditional PFAS-based aqueous repellents. The 'Vita-Clear' positioning suggests a lightweight, non-comedogenic texture, common in Asian skincare formulations that favor hydrating bases over heavy occlusive coatings.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance and fragrance allergens
Shiseido products typically contain fragrance blends for sensory appeal; specific allergen component disclosure (e.g., limonene, linalool) is not detailed in available summaries. Potential for contact dermatitis in fragrance-sensitive individuals.
UV filter photostability and degradation byproducts
Organic UV filters (avobenzone, octinoxate) can degrade under UV exposure and generate potentially irritant byproducts; this is a category-wide concern, not specific to this brand. Reapplication frequency and formulation stabilizers (e.g., antioxidants) mitigate risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Preservative system (1,4-dioxane risk)
No specific preservative or emulsifier is named in public product information. 1,4-dioxane is a contaminant risk in cosmetics using certain polyethylene glycol or polysorbate ingredients; Shiseido does not publicly declare these specific compounds for this product line, so risk cannot be confirmed or ruled out without full ingredient access.
Heavy metals
Water-resistant and 'clear' sunscreen formulations often include talc, mica, or mineral pigments for texture and UV reflection. No recalls or contamination reports for Shiseido Urban Environment line appear on record; standard cosmetic manufacturing controls apply.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-donor preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are disclosed in available product information. Shiseido typically uses modern preservative systems; no public records of formaldehyde contamination in this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Shiseido is a major Japanese cosmetics manufacturer with established safety and compliance programs; no major product recalls or ingredient controversies specific to this line appear in public records. The brand does not publish a dedicated PFAS stance or transparency report on PFAS "forever chemicals". Standard cosmetic regulatory compliance (Japan METI, EU, FDA) applies, but ingredient-level granularity beyond marketing claims is not publicly detailed for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Shiseido sunscreens occupy the mid-to-premium tier; formulation transparency is typical of Asian beauty brands (less detailed than some Western clinical or clean-label competitors). Water-resistant sunscreens across brands commonly use silicone bases, polymer thickeners, or mineral pigment suspensions; PFAS-free formulations are now standard in mainstream sunscreen, making this product consistent with category norms rather than differentiated. UV filter choices (organic vs. mineral) vary; no specific filter type is disclosed here, so comparison to reef-safe or photostability claims is not possible.
If you buy it
Apply sunscreen liberally (at least 1/4 teaspoon for face) 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Water resistance is typically good for 40 or 80 minutes (verify on packaging); do not rely on label claims alone for extended water activities. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; heat exposure can degrade UV filters and alter formulation stability. Discontinue if irritation, rash, or eye contact occurs and rinse thoroughly; patch test if you have sensitive skin or a history of fragrance/preservative reactions.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Shiseido has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
More sunscreen grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.