Delivers deep moisture and visibly reduces fine lines while protecting skin all day long.
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Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream is a rich anti-aging day cream built for hydration, smoothing, and visible wrinkle softening. It is sold as a moisture shield, a line-plumper, and a daytime protectant. The brand positions it as something that can make skin look more supple and more resilient in as little as two weeks, thanks to a mix of deep hydration, smoothing algae extracts, and their ReNeura Technology+ system.
This review covers what it is, who it works for, who should skip it, and how to get the most out of it.
Quick Verdict
Best for:
Dry to very dry skin, visible fine lines and folds, and that “my face just looks a little collapsed by 3 p.m.” feeling. Good for people who want daytime moisture plus visible smoothing through the day.
Skip if:
You are very oily, you hate richer creams in the daytime, or you break out fast from heavier textures. Also skip if fragrance during the day annoys you. It is not an unscented, bare-bones barrier cream. Some users describe a soft floral sunscreen-type scent.
Texture and feel:
Silky, cushy, almost buttery cream. Not a gel. It spreads easily and leaves a dewy protective finish that helps makeup sit smoother on top. Several retailers describe it as plumping and softening lines, not matte.
Price band:
Firmly prestige. You are paying for a luxury texture, technology claims around wrinkle signaling, and added daytime protection.
Bottom line:
This is a daytime comfort-and-smoothing cream for more mature or moisture-hungry skin. It is not a lightweight oil-control moisturizer. Think plump, not shine-free.
Specs at a Glance
Category
Day cream with anti-wrinkle positioning.
Key claims
Visibly corrects wrinkles in 2 weeks, helps restore bounce, and improves the look of resilience and firmness.
Notable tech
ReNeura Technology+ is marketed as a way to “reawaken” skin’s response to skincare, helping it stay receptive to the formula’s anti-aging benefits. The cream also includes what Shiseido calls KOMBUBounce Complex, which uses algae extracts to target wrinkle formation.
Hydration profile
Deep moisture and line-softening. The formula is described as helping skin feel softer, more supple, and less tight, while improving the look of fine lines caused by dryness.
UV protection
Most current versions in retail listings include SPF 23 to SPF 25 for daytime UV defense. That means it is designed to be worn in the morning as both plumping cream and daily shield against sun-driven aging.
Dermatologist testing
Marketed as dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic.
Why People Buy It
People usually buy Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream at a specific stage. The skin is not just dry. It looks tired. Makeup is settling into smile lines. The lower face and under-eye area look softer and less firm than they used to. The person wants help, but they do not want a harsh retinol in the daytime.
This cream pitches three things in one step:
- Cushioning moisture so skin looks fuller instead of deflated.
- A smoothing effect on fine lines so foundation creases less.
- Built-in daily protection so you are not walking around unprotected in daylight.
A lot of women in their 40s, 50s, and up like that it is daytime appropriate. It does not have that heavy night-mask feeling, but it still feels substantial.
Performance Deep Dive
Line softening and plumping
Shiseido positions this cream as something that visibly corrects wrinkles within about two weeks and continues to improve softness and resilience over four weeks. In consumer testing cited by the brand, over 90 percent of testers said their fine lines looked less visible, and most said their skin felt softer and more supple.
That lines up with how richer daytime creams tend to work. When skin is more hydrated and cushioned, fine lines cast less shadow, so they do not read as sharply.
Firmness and resilience
The brand talks about “loss of resilience” which is that saggy, slack feeling around the mouth and jaw. The formula is marketed to improve the look of bounce and elasticity so the face looks more lifted and less tired. Ingredients like algae extracts, chlorella, gambir, and turmeric are described as helping smooth and support the look of firmness.
Think of this as help with early collapse and folding, not a jawline sculptor.
Daytime comfort
This cream is rich enough to calm that tight, papery dryness that shows up with age, heaters, and over-cleansing. Reviewers and retailers describe it as easing that mid-day pull around the mouth and eyes.
UV support
The SPF in the formula is there to reduce daily UV stress, which is key because UV is one of the biggest drivers of fine lines and pigment issues over time. It is not a stand-alone beach sunscreen, but it is meaningful for normal daily exposure like commuting and errands.
Wear and Result Timeline
First use
Skin feels cushioned and less tight. Makeup glides over the cream instead of catching on dry patches, especially around smile lines and the corners of the mouth. You also get a soft, moisturized finish, not a matte base.
One to two weeks
Fine lines, especially dryness lines, tend to look less harsh. The skin on the cheeks and around the eyes can look smoother and a little fuller. Shiseido reports most testers noticed softer lines and better suppleness in this window.
Four weeks and beyond
Skin looks more consistently comfortable and elastic through the day instead of collapsing by afternoon. This is where “resilience” claims come in. The idea is that you do not just feel moisturized at 8 a.m., you still feel supported at 4 p.m.
How To Use
Morning is the main use. Cleanse, apply any serum you like, then smooth a small amount of the cream over face and neck. Because it already includes SPF in most versions being sold, people often treat it as their day cream plus protection step. If you are going to be in direct sun for a long time, you still need proper sunscreen on top.
Makeup tip: let it sit for a minute or two before foundation. The texture is rich. Giving it a moment helps your base sit on top instead of sliding.
Zone tip: if you are combination, you can apply a thinner layer in the T-zone and a fuller layer on drier areas like cheeks and under the eyes.
Night use: you can technically use it at night, but Shiseido sells separate night creams in the same Benefiance family that are even richer and do not include SPF.
Who It’s For vs Who Should Skip
Who it’s for
- Dry or very dry skin that feels tight and papery by midday
- Skin with visible fine lines around the mouth, eyes, and forehead that get worse when you smile or squint
- People who want a “my face just looks more rested and held together” daytime result
- Anyone who wants wrinkle-softening plus built-in daily UV defense in one jar
Who should skip
- Oily or breakout-prone skin that hates richer creams in the daytime
- People who prefer fragrance-free only
- Anyone who wants a weightless gel finish under matte makeup
- People who only care about dark spot correction or acne marks. This cream is mainly about plumpness, smoothness, and comfort, not targeted pigment removal
Owner Feedback Snapshot
What people love:
- Lines around the eyes and mouth look softer with regular use
- Skin feels cushioned and comfortable all day instead of drying out by lunch
- Makeup creases less because the skin is smoother and more hydrated
- Built-in SPF for daytime protection without adding an extra separate moisturizer step
What people complain about:
- Price
- Rich texture can feel heavy or too dewy if you run oily
- Some do not like the light floral/sunscreen scent
- Jar packaging instead of a pump, which some people find less hygienic
Alternatives and Comparisons
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Review
If your main issue is that your barrier is angry, your face feels sore, and you just want relief so it stops stinging, this Shiseido cream is not step one. The thick ceramide-rich formula described in our CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Review is more about calming and sealing that overworked, itchy tightness.
Clarins Total Eye Lift Review
If your deepest annoyance is the eye area, lifting there is its own game. Our Clarins Total Eye Lift Review focuses on targeted firming and smoothing for under-eye lines and lids so concealer sits better without creasing.
Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Bounce, Barrier, and a Healthy Glow
If you are already in the “my skin feels thin and fragile overnight” zone, check Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Bounce, Barrier, and a Healthy Glow for heavier night options that cushion and reinforce, not just smooth.
Best Treatment for Under Eye Wrinkles
If you are mostly worried about that crinkly under-eye fold that makes you look tired even when the rest of your face is fine, Best Treatment for Under Eye Wrinkles breaks down what actually helps and what is mostly marketing.
Menopause Beauty Survival Kit: Hair Thinning, Dry Skin, Brittle Nails, Confidence
If dryness, thinning skin, and texture changes all hit at once because hormones shifted, Menopause Beauty Survival Kit: Hair Thinning, Dry Skin, Brittle Nails, Confidence walks through how to adjust your routine so you are not just layering random creams and hoping.
Pros
- Rich, cushy hydration that lasts through the day
- Marketed to visibly soften fine lines and boost the look of firmness within weeks
- Built-in daily SPF protection in most current versions, which supports anti-aging goals
- Smooths texture so makeup creases less
- Dermatologist tested and marketed as non-comedogenic
Cons
- Expensive for a daily moisturizer
- Too rich for oily or acne-prone skin
- Light fragrance and sunscreen feel will bother fragrance-sensitive users
- Jar packaging is not everyone’s favorite
- Not a dark spot corrector, not a retinol, not a lifting treatment
Final Thoughts
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream is a classic “my skin needs support and softness right now” product. It is for people who look in the mirror at noon and feel like everything collapsed a little. It cushions, smooths, and gives a hydrated, rested look that helps fine lines show less and helps makeup sit better. The built-in SPF in most versions is a real daytime advantage, because UV is one of the fastest ways wrinkles get deeper.
If you are oily and hate richness, this will probably feel heavy. If you are already peeling and stinging, you might want a basic barrier repair cream first. But if you are noticing dryness lines, mouth lines, and that soft collapse around the cheeks and jaw, this is exactly the lane Shiseido is aiming at.
See also
If that creasing under your eyes is what is aging you the most, start with targeted support. Our Best Treatment for Under Eye Wrinkles walks through what actually helps soften that crinkle zone, and Clarins Total Eye Lift Review looks at a dedicated eye formula meant to lift and smooth makeup trouble spots.
If your whole face is suddenly drier, slacker, and a little less glowy, that is not just vanity. Hormones, stress, and heaters all hit at once. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Review explains barrier rescue for tight, overworked skin, Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Bounce, Barrier, and a Healthy Glow breaks down deeper overnight cushioning, and Menopause Beauty Survival Kit: Hair Thinning, Dry Skin, Brittle Nails, Confidence gives a bigger plan so you are not guessing one jar at a time.
FAQs
- Does Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream have SPF
Most current versions list SPF 23 to SPF 25, which is meant for daily UV protection. It is good for normal daytime exposure, but you still need proper sunscreen if you are going to be in direct sun for a long stretch. - Can I use it if I have sensitive skin
It is marketed as dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic, but it is still a richer, fragranced cream. If you react easily to fragrance or you break out from heavier textures, patch test first. - Will it actually help my wrinkles
The brand reports that in consumer testing, most users saw softer, less visible fine lines within two weeks and better suppleness within four weeks. Hydration and plumping play a big part in that look. - Can oily skin wear this under makeup
Usually no, unless you only apply the smallest amount to drier areas. It is a dewy, cushiony cream. Shine-prone T-zones may feel greasy fast. - Do I still need a night cream
Yes. This is positioned as a day cream with SPF and resilience support. Shiseido sells separate Benefiance night formulas that are even richer and focused on overnight repair without SPF.
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