The best Japanese skin care products take a gradual, intentional approach to your routine. As someone who’s loved J-beauty for more than 20 years—even before I began my career as a beauty editor—I’ve learned that the most popular serums and moisturizers tend to emphasize preventive skin health over quick fixes.
“Japanese skin care is a meaningful, intentional ritual rooted in centuries of tradition,” says Kyoko Getz, a clinical esthetician and director of education at J-beauty retailer Shiko Beauty. “In Japan, radiant skin is seen as a reflection of how we care for ourselves inside and out. There is a beauty in consistency.”
To find the best Japanese serums, sunscreens, and face masks for your routine, I relied on my decades of personal testing and also interviewed Getz and a Tokyo-based makeup artist for their favorite finds. These are our top picks for balanced, glowing skin.
The best Japanese skin care products, at a glance
Best Cleanser: Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Face Foam Rohto Mentholatum
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Fast 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, colorant-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 Cleansing Oil: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
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Fast facts: Makeup-removing oil cleanser; recommended for combination, normal, and dry skin; removes waterproof makeup; thicker, nourishing feel
Not only is this cleansing oil one of Japan’s most iconic products, it’s also the first skin care product I ever bought. While there are now hundreds of similar products on the market, this golden bottle remains a favorite. It’s particularly great for dry, normal, and combination skin, since the formula is slightly thicker and more nourishing than others I’ve tried. It’s made with a blend of olive fruit oil, vitamin E, and rosemary leaf oil that leaves my complexion feeling soft and moisturized. As with all cleansing oils, you need to apply it to dry skin, then wet it to emulsify. It removes everything, including waterproof mascara, without leaving my face feeling dry or tight.
“This brand has been around since I was a child, and its signature product is this cleansing oil,” says Ishida. “It has a thick consistency that melts in easily to remove makeup and dirt. After cleansing, my skin feels moist but not sticky. I especially recommend it for those with dry skin or during dry seasons.”
Best Essence: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Fast facts: Lightweight hydrating essence; preps skin before serum and moisturizer; subtle plumping and brightening effect; dewy finish
Even if you’re new to J-beauty, you probably recognize 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 Serum: Albion Excia Double Key Advance Serum
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Fast facts: Two-in-one water- and oil-based serum; lightweight and fast-absorbing texture; visible brightening and firming effects with regular use; recommended for antiaging and mature skin
A beauty colleague recently recommended this antiaging serum to me, and it only took one try for me to add it to my daily routine. While it’s made for mature skin, I’d recommend it to anyone except for those who can’t tolerate fragrance in skin care. The dual-chamber bottle contains separate water- and oil-based sides; you simply pump once to combine and activate. Both are packed with antioxidant-rich plant extracts with known hydrating and glow-boosting benefits: Japanese beautyberry, green tea leaf, rice lees (a byproduct of fermentation), and more.
I personally love the refreshing, lightweight texture and visible results. I’ve been using this serum daily and have noticed that my complexion looks glowier and bouncier. It works well with both my morning and evening routines, since it layers well with any moisturizer or makeup.
Best Emulsion: Shiseido D Program Moist Care Emulsion
Fast facts: Lightweight emulsion; gentle on all skin types; hydrating and plumping effect; recommended for makeup prep
This skin-conditioning emulsion (from a classic J-beauty category typically applied after serums) is an on-set favorite for photo shoots. “Emulsion is an essential step in Japanese skin care,” says Ishida. “This one is gentle enough for sensitive skin and has a creamy texture that’s easily absorbed. With continued use, my skin becomes supple. I always carry it with me when I travel, and models visiting Japan will ask me, ‘What is this? Where is it from?’ as soon as they try it.”
To use your emulsion effectively, apply it after your toner and serum, but before your moisturizer. If you have oily skin, you can also use this in place of your moisturizer. The formula is infused with hydrating, brightening ingredients like vitamin E, tranexamic acid, and sodium hyaluronate. Yet just as Ishida says, it’s lightweight and ideal for makeup prep.
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Tatcha The Water Cream
Fast facts: Oil-free gel cream; recommended for oily and combination skin; refreshing feel; helps balance excess sebum without dryness
Japan’s hot, humid summers have influenced J-beauty brands to formulate moisturizers that provide just enough hydration while remaining light and refreshing. This oil-free gel cream feels amazing during the warmer months, or year-round if your skin falls into the oily and combination categories. It’s formulated with antioxidant-rich and barrier-friendly plant extracts like Japanese wild rose, green tea, rice, and algae. I’ve used this formula for years and love how it feels like a splash of cooling water on application. It absorbs quickly and layers well under makeup, so I especially love it for my morning skin care routine. It also helps keep my T-zone from getting too greasy while still leaving my midface sufficiently hydrated.
Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
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Fast facts: Intensely hydrating moisturizer; on the richer side but still fast-absorbing; barrier-friendly; recommended for dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin
If your skin is feeling dehydrated, this is one of the richest Japanese moisturizers I own. While it’s intensely hydrating, it still doesn’t feel overly heavy or greasy. A small scoop goes a long way in softening dry patches in a single application. It’s packed with hydrating, soothing, and barrier-supporting ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin, squalane, and allantoin.
“It’s ideal for those with stressed skin,” says Ishida. “I use it as the final step before bed for calm, healthy skin the next morning. It leaves my skin feeling soft without a greasy residue, so I also use it before applying base makeup.” Getz also says this is the ideal moisturizer “for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin” and loves how the ingredients help keep your skin barrier healthy. “It absorbs smoothly, replenishes moisture, and leaves my skin soft and supple,” she says.
Best Sunscreen: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Weightless Moisturizer Suscreen
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Fast facts: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen; lightweight and hydrating texture; no white cast; layers well under makeup
The Bioré UV Aqua Rich range is Japan’s top seller for sunscreen. While the formula available stateside uses different FDA-approved filters, it’s still one of the best Glamour editors have tried. The fast-absorbing, spreadable formula is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and layers beautifully under makeup. It’s also noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) and oil-free, so all skin types can wear it. Broad-spectrum SPF 50 filters give you plenty of sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
“I’ve been using this J-beauty sunscreen for years and regularly run out of it (as you can see from my almost empty bottle in the video). The lightweight moisturizer with SPF 50 protection leaves a gorgeous glow and no white cast on my combination, oily skin. I like to use this particularly on my face, neck, and arms when I go running because it doesn’t feel heavy like other SPF body lotions,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best Lip Balm: Canmake Mellow Dew Lip Mask
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Fast facts: Treatment for dry lips; thick texture that melts on contact; easy-to-use applicator; helps lips look instantly smoother and softer; lasting moisture
Japanese drugstore brand Canmake is known for its delicate, shimmery eye shadows and immaculately packaged makeup, but its skin care is just as popular. I particularly love this lip mask, which I slather on before bed or during the day as a regular lip balm. I have extremely dry lips that are prone to flaking and peeling, so I love a thicker formula like this one that melts in and helps immediately smooth out my lip lines. It contains ingredients that both hydrate and help trap in moisture: hyaluronic acid, argan oil, shea butter, and ceramides. I also like the tiny spatula tucked under the lid; I always lose applicators when they’re packaged separately, but this one is easy to carry and keep clean.
“This lip balm is perfect for concentrated moisturizing care while you sleep,” says Ishida. “I apply it before bed and wake up to plump, moisturized lips the next morning. I like the creamy texture that melts into an oil-like formula upon application, which moisturizes and helps smooth vertical lines.”
Best Face Mask: Dr. Medion Spaoxy Gel Mask
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Fast facts: Transforming CO2 gel mask; helps boost glow and smooth skin; antioxidant-rich ingredients
Instead of a sheet mask, try this transforming face mask that mimics a full spa treatment you can do at home. It comes with a gel and a powder that you mix together to activate before applying the frothy mixture to clean skin. “CO2 masks like this one are very popular in Japan, but this is the original and hands-down the best,” says Getz, who swears by this mask for “plump, radiant, and smooth skin.” CO2 refers to carbon dioxide, which is released when the ingredients (including carbonic acid) in the gel and powder meet. J-beauty brands say this type of mask helps boost circulation and collagen production, increases glow, and gives a bouncy, plump effect to skin. This one contains antioxidant-rich ingredients like royal jelly and botanical extracts, along with hydrating hyaluronic acid. “It’s my secret weapon for days when my skin looks dull, tired, or just needs a reset,” says Getz.
“I was at first a little bit intimidated by this mask when I opened up the box, but it turned out to be a really easy process. First you squeeze out the gel into the little cup they provide, then add in the powder, and mix. It came together quite fast and was easy to apply with the spatula they provided as well,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “The consistency is definitely very foamy at first, but it dries down and hardens to a clear finish that you can then peel off after 20 or 30 minutes. After pulling it off, my skin was supersoft and plush, and looked radiant and clear. I also love that it didn’t leave any redness behind, which I find often happens with peel-off masks. All in all, a 10/10 experience.”
Best Hand Cream: Isehan Kiss Me Medicated Hand Cream
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Fast facts: Thick hand cream; lasting moisture; instantly softens and smooths dry hands; herbal smell may be too strong for some
This cult-classic hand cream is another Japanese household name, and it’s also the most affordable pick on our list. “It has been around since before I was born,” says Ishida. “I like that it doesn’t feel greasy after application and maintains its moisturizing effects for hours. I massage it into my hands before bed and let it absorb well. The next morning my skin feels so moisturized and comfortable.”
Be careful not to apply too much: The formula comes out thick and feels like a cross between a rich hand cream and an ointment-like balm. Despite its rich texture, it absorbs well as long as you apply a small amount. It smells like traditional herbal medicine, which will feel nostalgic to its many fans (like me) but may be too strong for others. The scent does dissipate quickly and leaves me with silky-soft, smooth hands, even in the winter.
Frequently asked questions
What is Japanese skin care known for?
Rather than quick fixes, Japanese skin care is known for its balanced, gradual approach. “It’s a skin care philosophy that emphasizes prevention by nurturing healthy skin through daily care,” says Ishida. Getz agrees that the best Japanese skin care products are known for a more long-term approach. “It’s a philosophy that sees skin not as a problem to solve, but as something to care for, daily, mindfully, and respectfully,” she says. The products on our list all reflect this mindset, prioritizing holistic care for every skin type.
What are the best Japanese drugstore beauty products?
If you’re looking for budget-friendly products, we have plenty of drugstore picks on this list. Our top recommendations are the Bioré UV Aqua Rich Weightless Moisturizer Sunscreen, Canmake Mellow Dew Lip Mask, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, and Isehan Kiss Me Medicated Hand Cream.
What ingredients are commonly found in J-beauty products?
Japanese skin care brands often utilize ingredients found in nature, then transform them with advanced skin care technology. Ishida says common ingredients include “rice bran, sake lees, and other fermented ingredients.” According to Getz, you’ll also see “time-honored ingredients like green tea…things that have been used for centuries combined with some of the most advanced skin care technologies in the world.” You’ll find these ingredients throughout our list in products like the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Albion Excia Double Key Advance Serum, and Tatcha The Water Cream.
What are the must-have Japanese skin care products for glowing skin?
All of the Japanese skin care products on our list will help get you glowing skin. If you’re looking for formulas that focus on radiance, we especially recommend the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for skin prep, Albion Excia Double Key Advance Serum for concentrated brightening, and Dr. Medion Spaoxy Gel Mask for instant glow.
How we tested the best Japanese skin care products
J-beauty brands have had a place in my skin care routine for more than 20 years. Even before I became a beauty editor, I gravitated toward their gentle efficacy and focus on overall skin health. Over the years, I’ve tested many of the most popular Japanese beauty products, from ones you can find at Sephora to the cult classics you can only shop locally (or on global retailers like YesStyle). When reviewing each product, I make note of its ingredient list to determine which skin types it’s best for, whether it’s fragrance-free, and what its key benefits are. I also consulted J-beauty experts, including a Tokyo-based makeup artist and a clinical esthetician specializing in Japanese skin care, to curate this list and help Glamour readers make the most informed decision.
Meet our experts
- Kyoko Getz, clinical esthetician and director of education at J-beauty retailer Shiko Beauty
- Miki Ishida, hair and makeup artist based in Tokyo
