Japanese Skin Care Products

A Japanese beauty practice is delicate, effective, and consistent, and the greatest Japanese skin-care products reflect this. Japanese philosophy requires many processes to address specific needs and improve skin health over time, says esthetician Erica Choi. “To achieve a clear, radiant complexion, double cleanse, layer lightweight hydrating products, and use sun protection.” Japanese Skin Care Products

Some of Japan's top skin-care products can only be found by traveling East with a checked bag, but many can be delivered to your door. Since the language barrier can be difficult, we compiled a list of Vogue staffers' and experts' favorite Japanese skin-care products.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream: Best for Glow

Why we love it: A lot of individuals keep this face cream on their vanity since it hydrates and nourishes the skin. It contains Japanese botanicals and moisturizers such Hadasei-3, composed of green tea, rice, and algae. Dr. Kimberly Lee, a board-certified facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon, says these antioxidant-rich components provide deep hydration for a dewy finish and plump skin. Japanese purple rice, which soothes and reduces inflammation, is also added.

• Hyaluronic acid, red algae, hadasei-3, squalane, Japanese purple rice.
• Skin type: Dry, dull, fine lines, wrinkles
• Size: 50 mL

Best Sunscreen: Sekkisei Herbal UV Defense Gel

Why we love it: Japanese sunscreens are cosmetically superior than U.S. ones, therefore you should try them. This lightweight gel sunscreen blocks UV radiation with SPF 40. “Infused with Job’s Tears seed extract, angelica gigas root extract, and licorice root extract, it hydrates and brightens the skin, leaving it refreshed and radiant without a greasy residue,” says Choi.

• Main ingredients: Coix seed, angelica gigas root, licorice root extracts for dry, combination, or normal skin types.
• Size: 1oz

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is best.

Why we adore it: Taking off makeup after a long day might be tedious, but this washing oil melts it away swiftly. Choi describes this cleanser as a popular skin-care product that removes makeup, grime, and pollutants without depleting the skin of its natural oils and contains soothing olive oil and vitamin E. She says it maintains skin hydration and provides antioxidants.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin E, rosemary leaf oil, organic olive oil.
• All skin types
• Size: 6.7 ounces

Best Facial Treatment Essence: SK-II

Why we adore it: Pitera-based “miracle water” contains vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. “This essence improves skin texture, brightens, and provides hydration, contributing to a more youthful and radiant appearance,” Choi says. If you're apprehensive about adding it to your routine, Dr. Lee says its clean and uncomplicated formulation reduces irritation and makes it suited for sensitive skin.

• Important ingredients: SK-II's Pitera
• Dry, combination, normal skin.
• Size: 75 mL

Top Cleaner: Kanebo Sensai Silky Purifying Milky Soap

Why we adore it: This delicate, luxurious milky soap dissolves makeup and pollutants while keeping skin hydrated. “Thanks to its creamy and hydrating formula, it leaves the skin feeling exceptionally smooth, soft, and refreshed, making it a popular choice for thorough yet gentle cleansing,” explains Choi.

• Main ingredients: Koishimaru silk, carrot extract
• Skin type: Dry.
• Size: 150mL

Best Serum: Tatcha Silk

Why we love it: Tatcha's Silk Serum targets fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture in mature skin. Dr. Lee says its liquid silk protein, made from fibroin silk, smooths and nourishes the skin for a silky finish. The serum also contains Japanese seaweed, which soothes and reduces inflammation, and Hadasei-3, which penetrates the skin to release nutrients.

• Key ingredients: Hadasei-3, sea fennel, silk protein, recycled cranberry extract.
• All skin types
• Size: 30 mL

Best Eye Cream: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing

Why we adore it: This hydrating eye cream addresses small wrinkles around the delicate eye area and is ideal for bedtime usage. In case you forget your magnesium mocktail or lose eight hours of sleep, it brightens and makes you look younger. Dr. Lee says, “It's particularly appealing for those with mature skin or signs of aging around the eyes.”

• Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, ginseng, turmeric
• Dry, combination, normal skin.
• Size: 15 mL

TOP Gel Cream: Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

Why we adore it: Choi says this gel-cream's proprietary Super Hyaluronic Acid “provides long-lasting moisture, helping to plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” It also has collagen, arginine, and ceramide, which is a steal for $20.

• Hyaluronic acid, collagen, arginine, ceramide
• Skin type: Wrinkles
• Size: 1.76 oz.

Best Facial Moisturizer: Obagi Hydrate

Why we adore it: This moisturiser, popular in Japan, hydrates and enhances skin texture. Hydromanil, an enhanced tara seed compound, helps retain skin water and release it gradually, according to Dr. Lee. Glycerin pulls water to the skin to maintain moisture levels; shea butter softens the skin; mango butter moisturizes with its fatty acids; and avocado oil protects the skin from environmental damage.

• Key Ingredients: Shea butter, mango butter, tara seed extract Suitable for all skin types
• Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Cleansing Balm: Perfect One-Focus Smooth

Why we love it: J-beauty routines include cleansing balms, so it's no surprise that one of the most popular is excellent. Emollients soothe and soften skin while sunflower and olive oils remove makeup and pollutants. Dr. Lee says it also contains calming, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory herbs and extracts. This dissolves down makeup without severe washing, making it ideal for full-beat fans.

• Important ingredients: Citrus essential oils
• Dry, combination, normal skin.
• Size: 2.64 ounces

Best Makeup Wipes: Koh Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water Cloth

Why we adore it: Spa water towels may be the exception to the dislike of cleansing wipes. Choi says the fabric removes makeup gently without tugging on the skin like other wipes. We rarely travel without these, because unlike harsh astringents, these wipes remove makeup with micellar water, leaving skin clean, soft, and invigorated. It depends on personal preference, but there are many options with varied smells that might help you relax when traveling.

• Herbs: rosemary, sage, white birch sap, lavender
• All skin types
• Size: 10 towels per pack

Kikumasamune Moisturizing Hydrating Japanese Body & Skin Toning Lotion is best for textured skin.

Why we adore it: This product replaces skin moisture with sake and moisturizing substances, improving texture and tone. According to Choi, “The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, providing a refreshing and smooth finish while improving overall skin hydration and elasticity.” We don't want you to feel sticky, so you'll forget you applied this product—except for how amazing your skin looks.

• Key ingredients: Junmai Ginjo sake, amino acids
• Skin type: Dry/rough
• Size: 500 mL

Top Hyaluronic Acid: Hada Labo Gokujun Premium Solution

Why we love it: Why use one form of hyaluronic acid when you can use multiple concentrated types? This solution provides substantial hydration, especially for dry skin or winter radiator users. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs fast, making it ideal. Choi says, “It delivers deep and long-lasting moisture to the skin, helping to plump and smooth fine lines while maintaining a supple texture.”

• Key ingredients: Nano, super, and hyaluronic acid
• All skin types
• Size: 170 mL

Curel Japanese Facial Cleansing Oil is best for dry skin.

Why we love it: This cheap, mild cleanser removes sunblock and extra oils at night. No irritation is expected because it's fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. It readily dissolves makeup, grime, and excess sebum without irritating or depleting the skin of its natural moisture, according to Choi, making it one of the best cleansing oils. Ceramides help maintain the skin's protective barrier, leaving it soft, moisturized, and comfortable after cleansing.

• Key ingredients: Ceramides
• Skin type: Dry, sensitive
• Size: 150mL

Why Japanese beauty products?

Vicky Tsai, founder of Tatcha and one of our favorite skin-care gurus, says holistic care is a major distinction in Eastern beauty. Japanese believe that caring for the skin means caring for the psyche, which influences their skincare routine. Tsai says true skincare entails taking care of all elements of oneself because skin reflects and impacts inner health. “The Japanese have long understood that what you eat affects how you look and feel.” She explains that a traditional Japanese diet includes longevity-boosting superfoods like rice, green tea, and algae, which are linked to the country's high lifespans. “These same ingredients have been central to classical Japanese beauty rituals for centuries because what's good for the body is good for the skin.”