
Shiseido Activating Essence vs. Power Infusing vs. Treatment Softener: Differences and Reviews 202
- Shiseido is known for being one of the greatest leaders in skincare science in the industry and continues to push the boundaries year on year. With an army of scientists and countless papers produced, it’s no wonder their skincare is incredible. Here, three popular products form Shiseido are Eudermine Activating Essence, Ultimune Power Infusing Serum, and Treatment Softener. Which is best for you? Below, we will make a comparison to help you choose.
The Difference & Reviews
| Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence
Google Users Rating: 4.7/5
Shiseido: $92.00/145ml (up to 3% cashback)
Sephora: $92.00 (up to 4% cashback)
FragranceNet: $79.99 (up to 1% cashback)
What Does It Do?
Shiseido's first skincare innovation, Eudermine Activating Essence infuses skin with two types of Hyaluronic Acid for 24 hours of deep hydration, while targeting dark spots with Vitamin C. In just 4 weeks, pores, blemishes, and dullness become less visible.
Created in 1897 and rooted in Japanese Beauty rituals, Eudermine was a favorite of geishas who used it to protect skin under heavy makeup. The lightweight texture revitalizes, nourishes, and softens skin—an essential step in any Japanese Beauty skincare routine.
Key Ingredients:
- Two Types of Hyaluronic Acid: Infuse skin with up to 24 hours of hydration and support moisture retention.
- Vitamin C (Ethyl Ascorbic Acid): Boosts radiance for a visibly bright, even-toned complexion.
- Fermented Kefir Extract: Prebiotics support skin turnover cycle and strengthen barrier function.
Best For: All skin types, including combination and sensitive skin, and individuals looking to improve skin hydration, brightness, and texture.
Texture & Fragrance: It has a lovely lightweight texture that sinks in beautifully and gives the skin a lovely smooth and plumped up appearance. It is ideal for adding in an extra layer of hydration into the skin. One thing to note is that it does have a noticeable fragrance. If your skin is sensitive to fragranced products, you may want to avoid it.
Review: The Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence is a revitalizing, lightweight essence designed to hydrate, soften, and improve skin texture as the first step after cleansing. Users praise its ability to provide a plump, dewy, non-greasy finish, though some note a strong initial floral fragrance that fades quickly. The product is also praised for its long-lasting hydration and ability to enhance the absorption of subsequent skincare products.
It works synergistically with other Shiseido products, amplifying their benefits. It won't work miracles, but if you're already committed to Shiseido's skincare line and want extra hydration with a touch of brightening, you'll want this in your routine.
Pros | Cons |
Stays moisturized for 24 hours | Has a noticeable fragrance |
Promotes skin's turnover cycle while strengthening the barrier function | A little expensive |
Targets dark spots and brightens skin | |
Glides effortlessly over the skin | |
Dermatologist-tested & Non-comedogenic |
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| Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum
Google Users Rating: 4.7/5
Shiseido: $145.00/75ml (up to 3% cashback)
Sephora: $145.00 (up to 5% cashback)
Macy's: $145.00 (up to 3% cashback)
What Does It Do?
A rich, comprehensive anti-aging cream that defies the look of progressive skin sagging. This daily face moisturizer works on comprehensive anti-aging benefits leaving skin looking more sculpted, lifted, firmer and even-toned. Exclusive Sculpturist Technology powered by Burnet Extract improves the appearance of skin sagging.
Key Ingredients:
- Exclusive Sculpturist Technology powered by Burnet extract improves the appearance of skin sagging.
- A 2x concentration of SafflowerRED, exclusively grown in Japan, supports collagen network and intensively boosts multiple effects to help lift, firm and make skin more even-toned.
- Ginseng root extract, known to help boost collagen production, leaves skin firmer and brighter while strengthening skin's moisture barrier.
- Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract helps improve elasticity and firmness while addressing hyperpigmentation.
- Caffeine, an antioxidant, helps energize the skin and reduce dullness.
- Squalane hydrates and supports skin's moisture barrier while smoothing fine lines.
- Vitamin E helps maintain skin barrier and defend against pollutants and environmental stressors.
Best For: All skin types, and those concerned with fine lines, dryness, loss of firmness, and dehydration.
Texture & Fragrance: It has a thin emulsion texture making it very runny. It spreads easily on the skin and only leaves a light tackiness behind once it gets absorbed. It has quite a prominent fragrance, and it smells like a combination of floral scent and something spa-like. However, for those who are very sensitive to scents, please try to smell this first in stores just so you can find out for yourself if you can tolerate it as well.
Review: The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum is a popular and effective serum that boosts skin hydration, improves texture, and enhances skin's radiance and resilience, with users noting reduced fine lines, less redness, and a glowing complexion. While some users find the fragrance strong, others appreciate the pleasant, salon-like scent. The lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, layers well with other products, and leaves skin feeling smooth, plump, and healthy.
At $79 for 30ml, and $145 for 75ml, it is not exactly affordable. To be fair though, it's not the most absurd in pricing for skincare. There are plenty other serums out there with roughly the same price range so it really depends on whether you're comfortable to splurge on a serum that basically makes your skin more resilient.
Pros | Cons |
Hydrates and smooths | Strong fragrance |
Boosts radiance and glow | On the pricier side |
Reduces signs of aging | |
Lightweight formula | |
Enhances other products |
| Shiseido Treatment Softener
Google Users Rating: 4.7/5
Shiseido: $52.00/150ml (up to 3% cashback)
Sephora: $52.00 (up to 3% cashback)
Bloomingdale's: $52.00 (up to 2% cashback)
What Does It Do?
A light, dewy skin softener enriched with effective ingredients to remove sebum and refine skin. Skin is left feeling fresh, even and radiant, making it receptive to further skincare treatment. Exclusive InternalPowerResist technology helps to strengthen and defend skin while signature Japanese ingredients provide oil-removing benefits.
Key Ingredients:
- Kirishima Mineral Spring Water: Helps supplement skin's essential minerals.
- Yomogi Extract: Helps prevents skin roughness and promotes healthy-looking, radiant skin.
- InternalPowerResist technology (featuring ImuCalm Compound™): Helps to strengthen the skin barrier while Hamamelis Extract provides an antioxidant effect.
Best For: Oily, normal, and combination skin types.
Texture & Fragrance: Upon dispensing the product, it is a clear, slightly viscous liquid. The texture is sort of light and non-greasy. The product has a subtle, barely-there scent. It definitely does not come with a scent similar to those we came to expect from so-called luxury skincare brands.
Review: The Shiseido skin softener is designed to remove excess sebum, refine your complexion and leave you feeling fresh. The product is also meant to improve your skin's ability to make the most of the rest of your skincare routine aka to improve its ability to absorb further products. So basically what I would call an essence despite the fancier name this product has.
It is a great option for those who are looking for a lightweight, non-greasy softener that can improve the absorption of their other skincare products.
Pros | Cons |
Visibly smooths and refines skin | May not be suitable for dry skin |
Helps improve skin's radiance and clarity | |
Provides 24-hour moisture | |
Good for normal, combination, and oily skin types | |
Dermatologist tested |
Conclusion:
Shiseido's Treatment Softener is a pre-serum lotion applied after cleansing to balance and hydrate skin, strengthening its defenses against aging and stressors. The Power Infusing Essence (Ultimune) is a powerful anti-aging serum used after the softener to brighten, target dark spots, boost moisture, and enhance skin's barrier. Lastly, the Activating Essence (Eudermine) is a deep hydrating lotion that serves as a softener, providing long-lasting moisture and clarifying the skin for a renewed complexion, making it similar to the Treatment Softener in its softening function but with specific brightening ingredients.
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