17 Apr The 20+ Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon
The 20+ Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon
- // Health & Beauty, Japan
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I got hooked on Japanese beauty products after I walked into my first drugstore in Tokyo about five years ago. Suffering from the major language barrier, I used up all of my cell data trying to find the beauty products that Japanese women can’t live without. And Lord have mercy! There are so many cult-favorite beauty products in Japan that range from skincare to cosmetics — many at super affordable price points.
Given that the Japanese spend more per head on cosmetics and beauty products than any other nation, I knew they would have some good shiz.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, make sure to check out popular drugstores like LOFT, Matsumoto KiYoshi, Ainz & Tulpe, and PLAZA. I recently had a lot of success finding what I was looking for at a LOFT in Osaka, but pretty much every drugstore will have some of the products you’re looking for. If you get confused or your curiosity gets piqued for something not on this list, look for “COSME awards” on the packaging. Brands like Shiseido, Canmake, DHC, Hado Labo, Naturie, and SK-II are always fan favorites. Also, check out my post on why you cannot miss the opportunity to stay at a Japanese ryokan!
Given that we’re in the midst of a global pandemic, I put together a list of Japanese beauty products that are not only cult favorites, but that you can also buy right from your couch on Amazon, no traveling required.
In a world full of beauty products that leave you wondering “does this really work?!”, Baby Foot f’ing works!
I love this product so much that I stock up every time I’m in Japan. When I first got Baby Foot, I read about people’s experiences that ranged from disbelief, repulsion, and awe, to full-on believer.
Inside the box are plastic, liquid-filled booties. Unwrap them, place your feet inside, and soak for one hour. Remove and rinse. You’ll think nothing has happened. But, boy are you wrong. Within days, your calluses and rough skin will peel off to reveal baby soft skin.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT use Baby Foot if you have an activity where you’ll need to wear sandals. Your feet will peel and shed for a few days revealing super soft feet, but the process is — well grotesque.
What looks to be small Nespresso pods or washing machine tablets is actually a cleansing and exfoliating beauty powder full of good things like an enzymatic cleansing powder that gently exfoliates, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and tofu extract and royal jelly to brighten skin.
These little pods are perfect for the gym, travel, or stowing away in your bag for a beauty emergency!
** If you’re heading to Japan and have a Costco membership, you can get them there!
The whole essence (ha!) of Japanese beauty products and regimen is multiple thin layers: wash, toner, essence, serum, then heavier creams for delicate areas like around the eyes. Also, Japanese women (and men!) don’t rub their products in; they pat them onto their skin!
Kosé Sekkisei Emulsion Excellent is the perfect final layer that aims to brighten skin, even out complexion, and fade dark spots.
Thanks so super cute packaging and quality ingredients, Lululun Moisture Masks have taken over Japan! Designed for daily use, the pack of 36 serum-soaked sheet masks nourishes dry skin and helps maintain the moisture balance of your skin. Leave ‘em on for 5-10 minutes, then remove and gently pat your skin with the folded sheet mask. (These would be a great addition to your corona-quarantine self care practice!)
You’ll see these five all over the drugstores:
Lululun Blue is for intensive hydrating care.
Lululun Pink helps to maintain the moisture balance of your skin.
Lululun Precious Red is for intensive hydration and aging concerns.
Lululun White boosts dull and lackluster skin.
Lululun Precious White (in a gold package) is for intensive care of skin brightening and firming.
Way before Japanese beauty products were known around the world, Geishas used to use fermented rice wine to remove stubborn makeup and moisturize their skin. And now, thanks to historical sake brewery Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co (founded 1659), you can too!
I love the way it smells (some find that it smells too strongly of sake, but at this cheap price you can try it for yourself with little damage to your wallet) and how thin it is. It’s perfect for hot summer days when I need moisture but can’t stand the thought of thick lotions.
A note on Japanese “lotions”: These are similar to Western “toners.” This should go after cleansing but before serums and creams.
Costco Lovers: I saw this at a location outside of Tokyo!
What’s the secret to beautiful Japanese skin? It’s the double cleanse!
DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil is the best first step followed by a foaming cleanser (this hyaluronic acid Bubble Foaming Cleanser by Hada Labo is a good 2nd step!) This olive-oil based cleanser gently dissolves dirt, sunscreen, oil, and stubborn makeup, like waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
And, while DHC might not be a household name where I live in the United States, it is one of Japan’s most reliable and respected skincare brands. In fact, one bottle of their Deep Cleansing Oil is sold every 10 seconds!
This potent night cream works well with all skin types and is fragrance-free and paraben-free.
It’s loaded with botanical ingredients to soothe your skin as well as olive oil, squalane and vitamin E to hydrate, and hydrolyzed collagen to promote the appearance of elasticity.
I’m obviously a big fan of DHC. Extra credit for trying their Lip Cream (which I just saw at Costco in Las Vegas!) and Velvet Skin Coat which are both amazing products worth giving a shot.
Basically the polar opposite of cold cucumbers that you use to wake your eyes up, these eye masks help your eyes wind down after a long day of staring at a computer screen. They’re sort of like the Hotties that you put in your gloves in the wintertime, but with the soothing scent of lavender — and they go on your eyes.
Each mask comes individually wrapped and warms up after being removed from the package. I like to travel with a few because once I’m at the hotel after a long flight they really help me wind down and finally get some good sleep.
I’m very pale complected and I freckle easily. Since I became a somewhat mature adult (and also gave up ever having a real tan), I’ve been super vigilant about wearing sunscreen every day. And, this is the only sunscreen that I actually like wearing. It’s not greasy and definitely a cult-favorite Japanese beauty product.
The white gel-like cream becomes nearly invisible the moment you rub it in, goes easily under makeup, and because of the alcohol, is cooling (beware if you’re sensitive to alcohol-based products).
Also Worth a Mention:Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen by Shiseido
I first found out about peeling gels a few years ago. At first, I thought all balls that started forming could not be my dead skin (after all, I exfoliate regularly!). So I put it to the test one night and did a second peel. No skin came off, y’all!
I’m now a firm believer in peeling gels — they exfoliate clogged pores and brighten and even out my skin. I’m not proud, but I definitely stood in my bathroom and told my normal exfoliator how disappointed I was in its performance.
You should apply peeling gels to your face after washing and massage into your skin for 3-5 minutes, then rinse.
CURE: Natural Aqua Gel is also a cult favorite and worth a try!
This hard-working tiny tube fights your dreaded dark spots, acne scars, and hyper-pigmentation and is a best-seller in Japan.
It uses ascorbic acid and Vitamin C and E to slow the production of melanin and gradually brighten dull areas. Its airtight tube helps boost the effectiveness since exposure to air is detrimental to Vitamin C.
I had a hard time finding this but realized that it was behind the counter (no prescription needed, I think it was kept there for theft?). Don’t give up! Show someone a picture of the packaging and they’ll help you find it!
Overslept? Late night? With this face mask, 60 seconds is all you need to cleanse, tone, and prime your skin! I keep mine in the fridge for an extra refreshing jolt in the morning. Each package contains 32 sheet masks that are soaked in hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Hado Labo’s Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion continues to be a cult favorite for its plumping and hydrating properties — thanks in part to its three(!) different kinds of hyaluronic acid.
Japanese “lotion” is very different than what we think of lotion in America. Instead of being a thick cream, lotion in Japan is more like a thick toner.
Pat this product on your damp face, don’t rub, and give it time to fully absorb before applying additional layers (maybe even top it off with a sheet mask if you have time!). Follow with moisturizer.
I really like their “premium” version as well — with five different hylauronic lotions(!) — and it’s just a few bucks more.
When we were in Japan a few weeks ago (which feels like a lifetime ago thanks coronavirus quarantines) we stayed at two traditional Japanese ryokans with en suite onsen baths. To bring a little of this relaxation home, I got these bath salts that take me right back to our hot springs getaway — right from the comfort of my bathtub.
Each box contains 13 individually wrapped bath powders and four different milky scents.
These bath salts by Yumeguri seem wonderful, too!
This is definitely one of the most popular cleansers in Japan — and for good reason! You only need a dime sized amount to make the most luxe foam cleanser that feels like — well, whipped cream! Silk cocoon essence and hyaluronic acid moisturize and nourish your skin without leaving it dry and tight.
UZU’s Eye Opening Liner, has a paintbrush-like applicator which I love and beautiful streak-free color choices (like burgundy, purple, and green tea!). The innovative shape makes the liner easy to hold and control and, even though it is water-proof, it is easy to remove for a quick change. The felt tip also makes it easy to apply a thin or thick line.
A cult favorite among celebs, models, and makeup artists Rohto Cool Max Eye Drops brighten the whites of your eyes better than most drops out there. As the name would imply, they also have a cooling, Listerine-type effect. Use them before important work meetings, events, first dates, selfies, and long flights!
Beauty Haul From Japan
Resources to help your Travels
As always, everything on this site is completely free. If you found this post (or anything on YouFoundSarah.com) useful, I’d be grateful if you considered using the affiliate links below. I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are the services Drew and I love to use ourselves when we plan our travels. Thanks for your support! — Sarah
Booking.com – For booking hotel rooms.
Tours by Locals and GetYourGuide.com – For finding high-quality tours around the world.
VRBO – For renting homes across the world.
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