Lancome vs Shiseido 2023 (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen Lancome and Shiseido on the shelves at your local drugstore before. But which one should you choose?

Today, we will be comparing their best-sellers side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!

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Lancome vs Shiseido

Winter is upon us, and so is the dryness that comes with it. We all know what that means: tight, dull, flaky skin. Sure, there are endless moisturizers to choose from—but what is one to do for long-lasting results instead of a quick fix?

Our suggestion: Consider adding a serum to your skincare lineup (if you haven’t already). But not just any serum—you’ll want one that works to strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier. That said, this may be the time to spend a little extra for quality.

And since we’re no stranger to indulging in pricey products, we’ll be taking a closer look at Lancôme’s Advanced Genifique Face Serum and Shiseido’s Power Infusing Concentrate.

Created with Bifidus prebiotic 10%, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C, Lancôme’s Advanced Genifique Face Serum is ideal for dry, oil, and sensitive skin types. Its ingredients work in tandem to lock in hydration and defend against external aggressors that cause signs of aging. The results? A plump, evenly toned dermis. Lancôme even states that you can expect younger-looking skin in just seven days. What’s more is that a 4.8-star rating and over 6,000 reviews support this claim.

Ancient ingredients such as fermented roselle extract, heartleaf extract, reishi mushroom, and iris root extract formulate Shiseido’s Power Infusing Concentrate. Thus, you can expect stronger, more deeply nourished skin—and a youthful glow to boot. Shiseido also promises boosted radiance within three days of continued use. And, well, this seems to be evident by the product’s 4.6-star rating and the 3,883 reviews backing it!

As previously mentioned, both items are on the costly side. You’ll need to shell out $115 for the standard 1.7oz bottle of Lancôme’s serum, but thankfully there are other sizes available: .67oz for $52 and 1oz for $78—plus larger sizes at 2.5oz for $160 and 3.90z for $230. On the other hand, Shiseido’s serum is $110 for their standard 1.7oz bottle, $38 for .5oz, $75 for 1oz, $140 for 2.54oz, and $200 for 4.1oz.

Let’s be honest—there aren’t any distinct advantages that one formula has over the other, per se. Sure, they couldn’t be more different when it comes to their ingredients, but they ultimately work to achieve the same goals. Not to mention, both are about equally effective (based on their reviews) and similarly priced. So, determining which you should purchase may come down to business ethics.

We’ll start by saying Lancôme isn’t 100% cruelty-free. According to Cruelty-Free Kitty, Lancôme may test on animals either themselves or through a third party. They also don’t market themselves as offering vegan-friendly options, so it’s safe to assume they’re not a vegan company.

As far as philanthropy is concerned, Lancôme funds their “Write Her Future” program, which partners with the NAACP to provide mentorship, workshops, and scholarships to young, college-bound women of color. Sustainability-wise, they allow refilling and recycling of Lancôme products within their stores. They’re also in the process of committing to greener chemistry when formulating their products, including implementing regenerative agricultural practices, sustainable sourcing, and improving their packaging.

Cruelty-Free Kitty reports that Shiseido is also not cruelty-free, nor are they vegan. However, like Lancôme, they’ve at least taken some sustainable initiatives. They began the Shiseido Blue Project earlier this year, which involves marine protection activities. Additionally, they’re continuously conducting studies to see how their products (especially SPF) can achieve harmless harmony with the environment. Regarding packaging, they’ve set a mission to achieve 100% sustainable plastic packaging by 2025. As for charitable efforts, though, we couldn’t find any on their website.

Well, it seems that Lancome has a slight leg up on Shiseido regarding their humanitarian efforts. (But, still, we're positive you’d be happy with either serum!)