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Culture,  Tourism

Top 10 Beauty Products to Buy in Japan

Beauty that never fades, skin that never wrinkles and hair that’s never frizzy – well, we are not talking about our Disney princesses here – but, we are talking about the J- Beauty products that can make all these beauty goals come true. Japan is known for its innovative and effective beauty product lines that combine the wisdom of traditional Japanese beauty rituals with modern science.

Here we present the top 10 beauty products to buy in Japan that every woman will love to have her hands on.     

  1. Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
  2. Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder
  3. Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50+/PA++++
  4. Oshima Tsubaki Oil
  5. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
  6. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
  7. Diane Perfect Beauty Miracle You Damage Repair Treatment
  8. Ettusais Pore Care C Serum
  9. Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Long and Curl 
  10. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

When it comes to beauty and innovation, the Japanese beauty industry takes the center stage. Be it the use of the human placental extract in skincare or unique platinum-plated facial massaging tools, there is no dearth of innovation in the Japanese beauty industry. If you are in Japan or shopping online, it is easy to get lost in the beauty aisle. So here, we have listed down the Japanese must-haves in your beauty kitty.

Buyers at a cosmetic store in Japan
Buyers at a cosmetic store in Japan

The importance of Hyaluronic acid in skincare is unprecedented. So, let’s begin our list with one of the top hyaluronic acid-based beauty products. Hada Labo Tokyo is a well-known Japanese brand established in 2004. With the concept of “Perfect and Simple” skincare, Hada Labo is one of the first Japanese skincare lines to launch in the United States. 

This Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is a lightweight skin toner that works miraculously on dehydrated and aging skin. So, if you are worried about age-related skin problems, this product is your one-stop rescuer. Interestingly, this super light HA formula also works on oily skin.

The star ingredient in the product – Super Hyaluronic Acid – is a proprietary ingredient by the brand. It contains 3 different types of hyaluronic acids for multi-layer hydration to dramatically improve skin’s moisture levels.

This lotion is extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly into the skin, and hence is better known as a toner. Take just a few drops on your palms. Rub a little between your hands and lightly dab on freshly cleansed moist skin – you are done. It offers long-lasting, skin-deep nourishment, helps to soften fine lines, and also improves skin elasticity.

A Store selling Beauty products
A Store selling Beauty products

The product is free from oils, artificial colors, fragrance, and alcohol, hence it suits even the most sensitive skin. If you are looking for a skin-transforming product, this one is a must-have.

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An innovative skin cleanser that comes in powder form, packed in small ‘easy to carry in your purse’ pods. This Beauty Clear Powder is a Japanese cult favorite that also enjoys a worldwide fan base. Suisai focuses on creating skincare products with naturally derived ingredients. This powder uses the traditional Japanese fermentation method. It gently uproots the skin impurities stuck in the pores while hydrating the skin surface.  

The enzyme activated formula gently exfoliates the skin while hyaluronic acid takes care of essential skin hydration. The other two ingredients, tofu extract and royal jelly at one hand brighten the skin on the other provide nourishment. This cleansing powder performs true to its claims and helps to control skin breakouts and blackheads with regular use.   

Advertisement for beauty products in Japan
Advertisement for beauty products in Japan

The other plus of this product is the application. Just take some of the powder on your hands. Massage your moist skin lightly with it to create a foam. Wash off with water and your skin is free from impurities and at the same time well-hydrated and nourished.

Overall, this is an excellent product. However, just in case you are someone with super sensitive skin, it might be a bit irritating. So, check that out with a tester before spending your money, as these tiny pods are quite expensive.

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You should love your sunscreen as much as you love your skin – said by every Beauty Guru. But the truth is quite the opposite. Sticky, sweaty sunscreen that melts away quickly are the ones we hate to lather on our dear skin. However, that means you have never given this Biore UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen a shot. The fact is, this sunscreen is just the opposite of what is generally sold as ‘sunscreen’.

This sunscreen is top-rated in Japan and loved across the world. The watery light formula banks on a research-based advanced formula to deliver powerful UV protection sans all the mess. The product, like all the other top Japanese beauty products on this list has a unique formulation. This helps the sunscreen to spread effortlessly on the skin creating an even, invisible netting that protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Japanese lady with makeup
Japanese lady with makeup

The water-like sensational texture absorbs quickly in the skin. And, ensures that your skin does not feel heavy or sticky even after repeated application. But hold on! There’s more…

Invest in your skin. It is going to represent you for a very long time. ”

Linden Tyler

The sunscreen apart from providing powerful UV veiling also cares for your skin. The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and extracts of royal jelly. These luxurious ingredients ensure the perfect moisture level in the skin. It also makes this sunscreen a perfect base for all your makeup.  Lastly, the product comes with no added colorants. So it is easy to remove and is suitable for all skin types.      

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Always in a hurry, no time for skincare? Now, this top-rated Japanese beauty product has been designed keeping you, and your busy lifestyle in mind. The Oshima Tsubaki haircare series has a range of hair care products but this particular 100% natural camellia oil can tame your frizzy hair, nourish your dry scalp, hydrate your skin and even soften up the callus of elbows and knees.

It is a truly multipurpose-oil sans all the artificial chemicals, mineral oils, colorants, and fragrance. This oil has triolein in abundance, which is a natural constituent of the human sebum, which makes it ideal for quick blending in hair, scalp, or skin.

Traditionally dressed lady with makeup
Traditionally dressed lady with makeup

This non-sticky oil can be used as a live-in hair serum for styling and also protect hair against pollutants and exposure to UV rays. It adds luster to the hair strands and prevents hair breakage. When applied on scalp it keeps the scalp free from dandruff and prevents oiliness or itching.

Be good to your skin. You’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life.”  

Renee Rouleau

On the skin, this oil helps to prevent evaporation of moisture and offers protection from irritants. It is also ideal for hand and nail care. The oil is rich in oleic acids and the advanced purification technology makes it non-sticky. The last tip – while using this oil, always start with just one drop because with this oil going overboard is very easy and you do not want to end up with flat hair.   

Buy from Here

We do not have much to say about this product! If you love makeup, you know this beauty already. This Japanese cult-classic is the 1 step makeup remover to dissolve all makeup – even waterproof mascara – at one go. This organic olive oil-based formula cleanses skin without reaping off the essential skin moisture.

Along with anti-oxidant rich olive oil, the formula also contains rosemary oil and Vitamin E which works as natural skin conditioners leaving your skin soft and smooth after every use. The fragrance and colorant free formula does not leave any oily residue on the skin, thus keeping your daily makeup removing routine simple and minimal, so that you never skip it.

A cosmetics store in Japan
A cosmetics store in Japan

The use is also a breeze. Take a little of the oil on your hands and rub it softly on your dry face. You will see all makeup coming off within seconds. Just wash off your face with a few splashes of water and that’s all. If you love makeup, this cleansing oil should be in your arsenal because we all know getting rid of even the last trace of makeup before retiring to your bed is the most important step in skincare.  

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An award-winning bestseller from SK-II, this Pitera Essence is claimed to be a one-stop product for crystal clear skin. The essence is extremely lightweight and has a watery texture that promotes quick absorption into the skin without any sticky or heaviness on the surface.

Pitera – the star ingredient in this product is derived from yeast and as it mimics the natural substances present in human skin, it works like magic. It claims to bring a noticeable difference in your skin within 28 days of regular use, making skin softer, plumper, firmer, and revitalized. It also helps to shrink the enlarged skin pores, adds glow to the skin and erases spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

This essence can be a real game-changer in your skincare routine. Take a few drops on your fingers and gently press on freshly cleansed skin. It won’t take more than 15 seconds to get absorbed completely.   

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If you want a single product to put an end to your frizzy and dull hair days, this is the one. The Miracle You Damage Repair Treatment by Diane Perfect Beauty is an ultimate hair nourishing treatment with a prominent fan-base in Japan. What it does might sound simple but for anyone with frizzy or damaged hair, this is nothing short of a miracle. It nourishes locks and leaves them silky-smooth.  

Let us take a quick look at the ingredients that make it so effective yet gentle on hair. Organic ghee oil, which is super-rich in Vitamin E, A, and antioxidants, is the primary ingredient of this hair treatment. The other key ingredient in the formula is – Polycare, a proprietary ingredient extracted from the Guar plant. Polycare seals hair damage, split ends, and locks in moisture at the core of the hair, making it healthy and more manageable.

The product claims to repair 90% split ends in just one use. Beyond that, this one is also a secret for long-lasting hair color. The plant-derived anti-oxidant Borealine present in the treatment protects hair from sun damage and free radicals, improving life and longevity of hair color.     

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Porcelain skin is easy-achievable when you have the right Japanese beauty product in your daily beauty regime. Just to make it clear, by porcelain skin, we meant nothing less than pore-less, super smooth skin texture – which is all achievable with this Pore Care Serum from Ettusais. This product has been formulated with vitamin C derivative and other ingredients that work to minimize the appearance of skin pores and dulls skin spots.

Cosmetics on display at a Japanese store
Cosmetics on display at a Japanese store

In addition to minimizing the pores, this serum also controls excess sebum production, preventing blackheads and acne. The non-comedogenic, fragrant, and color-free formula takes care of the moisturizing needs of the skin, adds a smooth and translucent feel to the skin that you are sure to love. Use it directly on the concerned area after moisturizing and it will do the magic. Brighter, glowing, and softer skin is what it promises with regular use.   

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One of the top-rated yet pocket-friendly makeup essentials from Isehan Japan, this Long and Curl mascara is a must-have for every makeup lover. It gives both lengthening and volumizing effects to the lashes and you can feel the difference just in a single coat.

Here is something interesting.  The unique formula will not make your lashes clumpy or sticky at all. But with its curl-locking ingredients that contain a special memory-shape polymer, your lashes will stay curled upwards for hours.

What else? This mascara is completely waterproof owing to the Super Guard Polymer and will last you throughout the day. In addition, there is no smudging or flaking. The best thing is, it does not dry out the lashes thanks to the nourishing ingredients like camellia oil, royal jelly, argan oil, and wild rose oil.  

In a polite society, a well maintained skincare routine is one of life’s great successes.

Violet Grey

The intense black shade and the glossy finish coupled with the prominent lifting, volumizing, and lengthening effects add a dramatic look to the eyes. The result? A perfect finish for your eye makeup. Also, you can surely layer it if needed but even a single coat does the job pretty well. If you are browsing through the beauty aisle in a Japanese store, do not miss out on this beauty which will change your total makeup game. 

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The list cannot be complete without this ultimate Power Infusing Concentrate from one of Japan’s and the world’s most favorite beauty brands, Shiseido. Now, according to the brand website, in every 1 second, more than 7 bottles of this serum is sold worldwide. This luxurious skincare formula targets to provide coverage against skin damage, making sure that your skin stays flawless, always.  

The brand claims that this Ultimune formula is designed to foster the natural skin defense mechanism, preparing it not only for harsh environments but also for future skin problems. It prepares the skin to repel adverse factors that may cause skin damage and provides a protective film of coverage on the skin, leading to flawless skin that age gracefully.

This power infusing concentrate is a pre-treatment for boosting the skin’s ability to fight aging and daily assault that can trigger aging. It is a protection for the future and treatment for the present aging-skin concerns.  The ultra-lightweight formula gets absorbed quickly into the skin and helps in better absorption of any other skincare product applied over it. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate can be an effective addition to your daily skincare regime.

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Get from Shiseido

Now you know all the top beauty products that you can buy in Japan. Also, you have all the information you need to understand which ones will best suit your beauty needs. Japanese beauty products are all about being minimal yet effective, and you need to follow the same ethos while making your beauty picks. Always consider your skin and hair type, and choose products that make a complete regime for daily care. 

A model trying out cosmetics
A model trying out cosmetics

In reality, the Japanese beauty industry is a continually evolving market where new products with amazing beauty benefits are launched every other day. The research and innovation involved in these beauty products are truly commendable and they enrich the global beauty industry as a whole. With the right Japanese beauty products in your daily beauty regime, the dream of timeless beauty is not far.    

Eli Civil

A software engineer, entrepreneur, and Japanese culture enthusiast. I travel the world while working from my laptop and try to visit Japan as often as I can. About Eli Civil

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