Finding Japanese beauty products in the West isn’t always easy, so we’ve collected the best ones that you can order online! We’ve selected the best Japanese beauty products worth trying, to cover all the hottest categories for all skin types.
1. Tatcha The Water Cream
Tatacha is one of the brands responsible for the J-beauty comeback, which is just a small part of the reason why this wonderful moisturizer deserves a spot on this list. This wonderful formula saturates the skin with a ton of moisture, thinks to a fortifying blend of ferments as well as many different but exceptionally moisture-binding humectants. It’s a great evening cream choice for all skin types. We should note that though inspired by Japan and made with Japanese ingredients, this brand is actually based in the US. Buy it at Sephora!
2. Koh Gen Do Brightening Moisture Mask
Gentle skin brightening is a big part of the J-beauty philosophy. It to giving the skin a gentle glow by keeping it hydrated rather than targeting hyperpigmentation. This nourishing mask is great for all skin types, as it contains wonderful moisturizers like glycerin, squalane, and jojoba oil, as well as pore-purifying ingredients like sea silt and bentonite clay. Get it from Nordstrom!
3. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
I find myself recommending this cleansing oil at every chance I get. It’s an iconic Japanese skincare product that has been on the market for years. It melts makeup in seconds, but comes off easily with a splash of water. It is made on a moisturizing olive oil base, but has an astringent finish thanks to grapeseed oil. You can use it alone, or make it part of a double cleanse. Pick it up at Ulta!
4. Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer
This lightweight yet anti-aging moisturizer is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner, and for a good reason. It’s part of Shiseido’s line for oily skin, with a texture that sinks into the skin very quickly and doesn’t leave a shiny cast. It brings moisture into the skin to plump it up, and includes a phytocomplex that protects the skin from photoaging. It is available at Shiseido.
5. Bioré Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil
Bioré is one of those brands that definitely have a more playful attitude, partially because it is geared towards a younger audience. Their pore strips are quite well known, but forget about them – cleansers (and sunscreens, which are unfortunately not readily available in the US) are where it’s at. This oil cleanser is simple perfection, with a formula that glides over the skin to break down makeup even when water is present, but will still get rinsed away. It is great for all skin types since the oil blend in it is non-comedogenic. You can find it at Ulta.
6. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence)
Probiotics have gone beyond trend, and they are now a key part of any skin-fortifying or moisturizing formula. SK-II is one of the first brands to focus on them, with pitera, a unique ferment filtrate made from rice. In combination with butylene glycol and glycerin, this formula loads the skin up with moisture to plump it up and give it an inner glow. Order it from Sephora!
7. Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Multi Repair Oil
Don’t be confused by the French sounding name, as this lovely skin oil is as Japanese as they come. Face oils are popular in the J-beauty routine for those with dry skin, and this one is a particular winner. It has a silky, non-greasy texture and a nutrient-dense formula that includes rosehip, camellia and evening primrose oils. You can use it alone or after your moisturizer. Purchase it from Nordstrom!
8. Lululun Face Mask 36 Sheets – Pink
A single sheet mask is nice, but a package of multiple sheet masks is fantastic both for your wallet and for the environment, since it cuts down on packaging. These sheet masks are soaked with an incredible essence that includes some of my anti-aging and hydrating favorites, like niacinamide, sodium PCA, honey, hyaluronic acid, and ginseng. This is the kind of Japanese beauty product that will rejuvenate any skin type. Shop it through SkinStore!
9. BCL Saborino Night Masks
These night-time sheet masks will get you ready for bed. They have a natural orange blossom and chamomile fragrance blend that will help calm you down in time for sleeping, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to hydrate and brighten the skin while protecting from external causes of aging. There are 28 sheets in this set, and they come out from the package kind of like wet wipes. They are meant to sit on the skin for just 60 seconds, but we bet leaving them on for a few minutes longer will only help. Purchase a pack from Yesstyle!
10. Rohto Mentholatum Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare drugstore brand that has the Internet salivating. One of their star products is this lotion, which is a lot like an essence, with a gorgeously hydrating formula. It contains hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, which penetrates deeply into the skin, infusing the stratum corneum with a ton of moisture. It will work for all skin types, and is best followed up with a moisturizer. You can buy it from Yesstyle.
11. Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Oil in Emulsion
This iconic Japanese skincare brand is back at Sephora with some incredible products, including this light yet nourishing cream. It is made with pro-xylane and lotus leaf extract, which are said to have strong anti-aging properties, but it sinks into the skin quickly thanks to the fluid texture, though it still has occlusive ingredients to cocoon the skin and prevent moisture evaporation. It is ideal for those with dry skin, though a bit of salicylic acid in it will also help combat large pores and breakouts. It is available at Shu Uemura.
12. Kitao Matcha + Chia Facial Cream
Green tea is a popular ingredient in Japanese skin care, partially because it’s such an important part of Japanese culture and partially because it is so good for the skin. It is soothing, anti-aging, and firming. It’s a star ingredient in this rich cream, along with shea butter and rice brand oil for moisture and chia seed oil for its antioxidant effects. It is best for those with sensitive or dry skin. Find it at Ulta!
13. Fancl FC Sunguard 50+ Protect UV SPF 50+ PA++++
It’s impossible to recommend Japanese skin care without mentioning a sunscreen. Japanese sunscreens are known for their state-of-the-art formulations, with light textures, matte finish, and extreme protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It also contains bilberry leaf extract, which has an antioxidant effect. Get it through Yesstyle!
14. Boscia Peptide Trio Eye Cream
An eye cream is often not considered optional in J-beauty, so using one is key for keeping the eye area fresh, youthful, and moisturized. This eye treatment by Japanese brand Boscia is made with anti-aging in mind. It contains fortifying peptides as well as probiotics to boost the skin’s microbiome and promote hydration. It has a light texture that soaks in quickly. It is sold at Sephora.
15. Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence
Vitamin C is a proven skin-brightening and anti-aging ingredient, so it is quite popular in Japanese beauty, especially for those targeting pigmentation or premature aging. This popular essence also includes dipotassium glycyrrhizinate derived from licorice root, which also aids in improving luminosity. The formula is very mild, so it will work for all skin types. Order it from Yesstyle!
Photos via @ellenvlora, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom