16 Best Japanese Skincare Products, Tried & Tested
What I really love is how versatile it is. Some days I use it as a simple toner, other days I’ll layer it like a mini hydration treatment, and I’ve even poured it into a spray bottle to mist over my face during the day. It also makes the rest of my routine work better — my serums always sink in so much nicer afterwards. And the bottle is huge, which wasn't the best for packing in my case, but I'm so grateful it fit!Best Rice Mask: Keana Nadeshiko Pore Care Rice Face PackFast facts: Rinse-off rice mask; deeply hydrating and plumping; smooths rough texture; great for dry, dull winter skin.Keana Nadeshiko is one of the most recognisable skincare brands in Japan, and I saw this mask everywhere, especially in pharmacies, which often sell skincare for way cheaper than the big department stores (Japan tip there for you). During my J-beauty deep dive, rice skincare kept popping up, but I’d never actually tried it before. I won’t lie, the texture of this mask really threw me at first. It genuinely feels a bit like porridge going on, but once it’s on, it’s surprisingly soothing. I use it two to three times a week when my skin feels dry or rough, and every time I rinse it off, my skin looks brighter, smoother, and so glowy, with way less texture.Rice is such a hero ingredient in Japanese skincare because it’s known for hydrating, softening and boosting radiance, and this rinse-off mask is packed with 100% Japanese rice-derived serum to plump and smooth the skin. It’s especially good for dehydration and dullness. My makeup always sits better the day after I use it, and I love keeping it in the fridge so it’s extra cooling. If your skin feels dry, textured or just a bit meh, this is a really good one to have on hand, especially in winter.Best Vitamin C: Melano CC Age Spot Beauty EssenceFast facts: Thick hand cream; lasting moisture; instantly softens and smooths dry hands; herbal smell may be too strong for some.A skincare product that really doesn’t get enough hype? Vitamin C. It’s one of my favourite ingredients for brightening, and after asking multiple shop assistants in Japan for the best Vitamin C serum, every single one pointed me towards this very NGL boring-looking Melano C Essence. It doesn’t give much from the outside, but the formula is where it really shines. After using it for around four months, I totally get why it’s a cult favourite.It’s packed with Vitamin C and E to help fade dark spots and old acne marks, while keeping redness and breakouts in check. It sinks into my skin so nicely with zero stickiness, gives me the best glow and has genuinely helped fade post-spot marks. You don’t need much either, as it spreads easily, so even though the tube is small, it actually lasts really well.Best Cleanser: Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Face Foam Rohto MentholatumOriginal video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Foaming Wash Rohto MentholatumFast facts: Gentle foam cleanser; recommended for sensitive skin; leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated.Double-cleansing (using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to thoroughly remove makeup and impurities) is the foundation of Japanese skin care. This best-selling drugstore gem is my top pick for your water-based cleansing step, and it’s been living in my shower all month. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, a popular ingredient for hydrating, and feels gentle even on my sensitive skin.“I love the pump-style cleanser that conveniently produces a rich, creamy lather,” says Miki Ishida, a hair and makeup artist based in Tokyo. Getz is also a fan. “This velvety foam is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, colourant-free, and oil-free,” she says. “It’s a great cleanser for sensitive or reactive skin, it’s very gentle, and it doesn’t give me that dry and tight feeling after washing my face.”Best Essence: SK-II Facial Treatment EssenceOriginal video of Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the SK-II Facial Treatment EssenceFast facts: Lightweight hydrating essence; preps skin before serum and moisturiser; subtle plumping and brightening effect; dewy finish.Even if you’re new to J-beauty, you probably recognise this iconic glass bottle at first glance. The brand’s popular hydrating essence (sometimes also referred to as a lotion toner in Japan) is famous for its key ingredient, Pitera. Also known as galactomyces ferment filtrate, it’s a yeast-derived ingredient that has barrier-supporting, hydrating, and antioxidant benefits. It’s also known to help brighten and smooth, ideal for targeting dark spots, fine lines, and overall skin tone. The texture is fast-absorbing and lightweight, leaving your face dewy and prepped for makeup. I usually like to splash a few drops all over my face for an instant refresh. Or, for gentle exfoliation, I’ll wet a cotton pad to sweep away dead skin cells.Best Lip Balm: Canmake Mellow Dew Lip MaskOriginal video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Canmake Mellow Dew Lip MaskFast facts: Treatment for dry lips; thick texture that melts on contact; easy-to-use applicator; helps lips look instantly smoother and softer; lasting moisture.
