With the Japanese skincare industry reaching $12.3 billion in 2023 (only second to the United States), it’s no surprise that Japanese skincare is highly regarded worldwide.
One of the key factors contributing to its success is its focus on natural and traditional ingredients, making its products particularly appealing to those with skin concerns and those who prefer natural solutions.
If you’re going to Japan soon and planning to stock up on ingredients, or simply interested in switching over to Japanese products, here is my pick of the best Japanese skincare products.
This post contains affiliate links.
Why Are Japanese Skincare Products So Good?
Japanese skincare products are known for their quality, minimalism, and effectiveness.
Unlike Western skincare products, which take on a solutions-based approach, Japanese skincare focuses on prevention and maintenance for long-term skin health and resilience.
Most Japanese skincare products deliver optimal results without unnecessary additives or harsh chemicals.
Natural ingredients are held in high regard, so most companies use high-quality, ethically sourced botanicals and use them as their products’ main selling point.
What’s a Typical Japanese Skincare Routine?
There’s this common misconception that Japanese skincare rituals are long and complicated, with dozens of steps that require meticulous attention.
For most of the population, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
While it’s true that some modern routines include many steps, many Japanese women (and men) tend to prefer the classic approach.
Usually, a morning routine has no more than three steps (cleanse, moisturize, and sunscreen protection).
A night routine may add another step or two, like exfoliation or applying a serum or mask.
Top 5 Must-Have Japanese Skincare Products
Here are some of the best Japanese skincare products to add to your beauty arsenal:
1. Best Japanese Moisturizer: Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Hada Labo is often regarded as Japan’s number 1 skincare brand, and the Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is among its best-selling products.
It’s a lightweight toner that boasts seven different forms of hyaluronic acid, making it incredibly hydrating and nourishing for the skin.
Despite being called a toner, it falls between a lotion and serum. You don’t wash it off after application; you simply leave it on like a moisturizer.
A little goes a long way, so you’ll be using this product for quite a while before needing to replace it with another.
2. Best Japanese Face Wash: Curél Foaming Facial Wash
Founded in 1999, Curél is one of the first Japanese skincare brands to introduce products for sensitive skin.
The Curél Foaming Facial Wash is among its earliest formulations and remains a core product in its lineup.
What I love most about this product is that it’s gentle on the skin. It cleanses the face without stripping it of its natural ceramides, maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier and leaving it feeling soft and supple.
It’s fragrance-free, colorant-free, and has a balanced pH. So it’s less likely to disrupt the skin’s balance and cause irritation or dryness.
Note that the Curél Foaming Facial Wash is specifically made for people with dry and sensitive skin. It contains stearic acid, which can exacerbate oiliness and lead to acne breakouts.
If you have oily skin, I recommend the Curél Oil Control Foaming Face Wash.
3. Best Japanese Exfoliant: Cure Aqua Gel
Available across all drugstores in Japan (and most other East Asian countries), the Cure Natural Aqua Gel is a cult favorite among Japanese beauty enthusiasts for its gentle yet effective exfoliation.
This cleansing gel uses hydrogen water and botanical extracts like aloe vera, rosemary, and ginko to remove dead skin cells and help balance an uneven skin tone.
When massaged onto the skin, it creates little textured beads for exfoliation.
It’s well-suited for sensitive skin due to its natural and gentle formula, plus it contains no fragrances, colorings, or preservatives.
Just make sure to use no more than one to three times a week to maintain fresh and healthy skin.
4. Best Japanese Sunscreen: Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50+
In Japan, Anessa is considered the gold standard of sunscreens.
The brand offers a wide range of sunscreens suitable for varying skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. The Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk is one such sunscreen.
With an SPF of 50+, this sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays, making it ideal for everyday use.
It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue.
The only issue with this sunscreen (and admittedly most Japanese sunscreens) is that it leaves a white cast on the skin.
It isn’t that noticeable on fair skin, but it can be fairly obvious on darker skin.
5. Best Japanese Makeup Remover: Kosé Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
The Kosé Softymo is an oil-based makeup remover that has been a staple in the Japanese market for decades.
It has recently gone viral on social media so I decided to give it a try, and believe me when I say that it dethroned the cleansing oil I’ve been using for nearly a decade without effort.
It’s surprisingly effective at what it does, especially for its price.
This oil remover dissolves makeup, dead skin cells, and impurities within 30 to 60 seconds, washing away to reveal clean, clear, and soft skin without tightness or residue.
And what’s even better is that it only takes one pump to clean the whole face.
It’s gentle on the skin, which is great for people with sensitive skin like me.
If I had to nitpick, the only issue I had with this oil cleanser was that it required a second cleanse to remove the film. Although I do feel that’s quite normal for cleansing oils.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide on the best Japanese skincare products helped you choose which one to get for your next purchase.
The products on this list are all suitable for sensitive skin, so you don’t have to worry about them compromising or damaging your face.
Just make sure to choose a product that’s well suited to your specific skin concerns and needs, whether it’s hydration, anti-aging, or acne control.
For more Asian beauty inspiration, have a read of: