Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream ingredients, decoded
What Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.
Daily lifting cream that targets loss of firmness, dullness, dryness and dark spots, said to make facial contours look tighter within weeks.
What it targets
Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.
Key ingredients
4MSK: brightening ingredient that also helps turnover.
Worth knowing
- Contains fragrance or essential oils (Fragrance). Skip it if fragrance irritates your skin.
- Fragrance allergens listed: Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol. In the EU these must be named when above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
- Alcohol Denat. appears at #6, lower down the list, so the amount is likely small.
- Alcohol appears at #39, lower down the list, so the amount is likely small.
What most of it is made of
- WaterBase
- Butylene GlycolHumectant
- GlycerinHumectant
- TriethylhexanoinSkin conditioning
- DimethiconeSilicone
1% line: from Phenoxyethanol (#23) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. Phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% in the EU, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Products made only for other markets can use more.
Full ingredient list, decoded (64)
| 1 | Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients. | Base |
| 2 | Butylene Glycol부틸렌글라이콜Light humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients spread and absorb. | Humectant |
| 3 | Glycerin글리세린A classic humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer. Well tolerated by almost everyone. | Humectant |
| 4 | Triethylhexanoin트라이에틸헥사노인Skin-conditioning ingredient. | Skin conditioning |
| 5 | Dimethicone다이메티콘Silicone that smooths, adds slip and forms a breathable protective film. | Silicone |
| 6 | Alcohol Denat.변성알코올Denatured alcohol: quick-drying, light feel. High up the list it can dry out sensitive skin. | Solvent |
| 7 | Propanediol프로판다이올Humectant and solvent, often plant-derived; also boosts preservation. | Humectant |
| 8 | Phytosteryl Macadamiate피토스테릴마카다미에이트Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 9 | Ppg-3 Dipivalate피피지-3다이피발레이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 10 | Glyceryl Stearate SE글리세릴스테아레이트에스이Self-emulsifying version of glyceryl stearate. | Emulsifier |
| 11 | Silica실리카Absorbs oil and gives a matte, soft-focus finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 12 | Squalane스쿠알란Stable, skin-like oil that softens without feeling heavy. | Emollient |
| 13 | Hydrogenated Polydecene하이드로제네이티드폴리데센Light synthetic emollient, a squalane-like alternative. | Emollient |
| 14 | Cetyl Alcohol세틸알코올Fatty alcohol that thickens and softens; not drying like ethanol. | Fatty alcohol |
| 15 | PEG-100 Stearate피이지-100스테아레이트Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 16 | Behenyl Alcohol베헤닐알코올Fatty alcohol that gives a rich, cushioned texture. | Fatty alcohol |
| 17 | Peg/ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether피이지/피피지-14/7다이메틸에터Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 18 | Potassium Methoxysalicylate포타슘메톡시살리실레이트4MSK: brightening ingredient that also helps turnover. | Active ingredient |
| 19 | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter시어버터Rich plant butter that softens and protects dry skin. | Plant oil |
| 20 | Stearyl Alcohol스테아릴알코올Fatty alcohol thickener and softener. | Fatty alcohol |
| 21 | Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer소듐아크릴레이트/소듐아크릴로일다이메틸타우레이트코폴리머Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 22 | Copernicia Cerifera Wax카나우바왁스Wax that gives structure and a protective film. | Wax |
| 1% line — probably 1% or less below this point | ||
| 23 | Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less. | Preservative |
| 24 | Hydrogenated Polyisobutene하이드로제네이티드폴리아이소부텐Cushiony emollient common in lip products and creams. | Emollient |
| 25 | Hydrogenated Palm Oil하이드로제네이티드팜오일Plant oil that softens and nourishes dry skin. | Plant oil |
| 26 | Isohexadecane아이소헥사데칸Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 27 | Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil오일팜커넬오일Plant oil that softens and nourishes dry skin. | Plant oil |
| 28 | Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil오일팜오일Plant oil that softens and nourishes dry skin. | Plant oil |
| 29 | Fragrance향료A blend of scent ingredients listed as one word. Brands do not have to name what is inside. | Fragrance |
| 30 | Polysorbate 80폴리솔베이트80Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 31 | Sorbitan Tristearate솔비탄트라이스테아레이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 32 | Disodium EDTA다이소듐이디티에이Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable. | Chelating agent |
| 33 | Succinoglycan석시노글리칸Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 34 | Tocopheryl Acetate토코페릴아세테이트Stable vitamin E ester. | Antioxidant |
| 35 | Erythritol에리스리톨Humectant that helps skin hold on to water. | Humectant |
| 36 | Peg/ppg-17/4 Dimethyl Ether피이지/피피지-17/4다이메틸에터Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 37 | Rosa Damascena Flower Water다마스크장미꽃수Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 38 | Sodium Citrate소듐시트레이트pH buffer. | pH adjuster |
| 39 | Alcohol에탄올Ethanol: solvent and texture lightener; drying when used at high levels. | Solvent |
| 40 | Sorbitan Oleate솔비탄올리에이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 41 | Caffeine카페인Temporarily tightens and reduces puffiness, popular in eye creams. | Active ingredient |
| 42 | Sodium Metabisulfite소듐메타바이설파이트Antioxidant that protects the formula from oxidation. | Antioxidant |
| 43 | Sodium Metaphosphate소듐메타포스페이트Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable. | Chelating agent |
| 44 | Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil라벤더오일Fragrance component (essential oil or aroma chemical) on the EU list of allergens that must be named on the label — the list was extended in 2023. | Fragrance allergen |
| 45 | CI 77492황색산화철Colourant. | Colourant |
| 46 | Citric Acid시트릭애씨드pH adjuster; usually at low levels where it does not exfoliate. | pH adjuster |
| 47 | Limonene리모넨Fragrance component the EU requires brands to name on the label because it can trigger allergies in some people. | Fragrance allergen |
| 48 | Tocopherol토코페롤Vitamin E. Antioxidant that also protects oils in the formula from going rancid. | Antioxidant |
| 49 | Hexyl Cinnamal헥실신남알Fragrance component the EU requires brands to name on the label because it can trigger allergies in some people. | Fragrance allergen |
| 50 | Linalool리날룰Fragrance component the EU requires brands to name on the label because it can trigger allergies in some people. | Fragrance allergen |
| 51 | Citronellol시트로넬올Fragrance component the EU requires brands to name on the label because it can trigger allergies in some people. | Fragrance allergen |
| 52 | CI 77491적색산화철Colourant. | Colourant |
| 53 | Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract왜당귀뿌리추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 54 | Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract신선초잎/줄기추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 55 | Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract올리브나무잎추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 56 | Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract왜광대수염꽃/잎/줄기추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 57 | Cellulose셀룰로오스Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 58 | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract녹차추출물Green tea extract: antioxidant and soothing. | Plant extract |
| 59 | Inositol이노시톨Humectant that helps skin hold on to water. | Humectant |
| 60 | Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract잇꽃꽃추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 61 | Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract대추추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 62 | Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract로즈마리잎추출물Rosemary leaf extract; antioxidant that helps protect oils in the formula. | Antioxidant |
| 63 | Hydrolyzed Silk하이드롤라이즈드실크Skin-conditioning ingredient. | Skin conditioning |
| 64 | Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract시호뿌리추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.
Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.