I'm a beauty editor, which means I literally have hundreds of skincare products to test at any given time. This is neither a brag nor a complaint. Although, I suppose it could sound like both. While I consider myself to be an expert in sorting the good from the bad (and the good from the best), there are only a few products that earn my most sincere and precious compliment—that is, they become key players in my personal routine.
All of that is to say that, recently, I noticed something. Many of the skincare products I've been using lately are from Japanese brands. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the skincare products I've been using lately are from Japanese brands. The products in question are gentle enough to soothe my dehydrated, redness-prone skin, yet active enough to affect positive change. In other words, they hit the skincare sweet spot. Ahead, check out the 17 Japanese skincare products that have become the backbone of my routine, from a skin-soothing cleanser to a lightweight essence-lotion hybrid and beyond.
For reference, my skin is dehydrated and redness-prone. Due to a mild case of rosacea, I'm constantly searching for products that work but do so without exacerbating redness or irritation. As for my skin type, I'd say it's somewhat combination; I tend to be dry around the perimeter of my face and oilier in my T-zone. I also have some stubborn hyperpigmentation from summer sun damage that I'm trying to minimize.
I say this so you have an idea of what I'm working with and what I want out of a skincare product. As we all know, skincare is complex and dependent on individual goals and concerns, so even if I recommend a certain product that might not work for you, I highly recommend checking out what other products each of the below brands has to offer. You might find a new fave, regardless of your skin type. Okay, let's get into it.
Cleansers
I don't get breakouts very often, but I do get clogged pores and a rough texture on my skin. This cleanser from the Japanese skincare brand DamDam fixes that by drawing out excess oil and balancing my skin's pH. The included Cloud Glove, as it's called, offers gentle exfoliation for even more blemish-busting power. It does all of this without irritating the skin or stripping it of moisture. The secret is the star ingredient: snow mushroom, which some say works better than hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin (yes, really).
B.Glen is a brand that's developed and manufactured in Japan. It was recommended to me by Who What Wear's managing editor, Tiff Soga, and let me just say, her recommendations are solid gold (no surprise there). I started off by testing the brand's cleanser. This non-foaming formula uses natural clay, plus squalane, chamomile extract, and hyaluronic acid to cleanse the skin without stripping it. When I say that, I mean it. It's one of those rare cleansers that actually make my skin feel more hydrated after I use it. Plus, it does a good job of removing my daily sunscreen.
Essences
This milky essence from the Japanese skincare brand Albion is a skincare lover's dream. It's created by fermenting herbs in white koji and, as such, promises to firm, smooth, and hydrate the skin. I use it whenever my skin looks dull, dehydrated, and tired—mostly after sleepless nights or travel. It instantly plumps my skin with moisture and makes it look and feel alive and youthful.
Another Albion essence, this one is formulated with horse chestnut, witch hazel, and a superfood called Job's tears, which is a grain-bearing plant that's rich in antioxidants. It's just as hydrating as the above essence. Although, I tend to use it more when my skin feels out of balance or my redness peaks.
The third and final essence I want to talk about is this one, which uses lactic acid, allantoin, and fermented rose honey. It's lightweight yet moisturizing, and my skin basically drinks it up. I use it pretty religiously before applying makeup since it makes my skin look so smooth and plump without any primer.
This ultra-soothing skincare product is like a magic potion for minimizing redness and irritation. It's all thanks to a ceramide complex that's naturally sourced from Japanese koji. The ceramides replenish lipid-loss and strengthen the natural moisture barrier for calm, soft skin.
Serums
This brand just made its debut Stateside, and its star ingredient is ginseng, which is anti-aging and brightening. With a milky texture, it's just as hydrating as it is skin-strengthening and barrier-protecting.
When I use this product, I have to wonder why every brand doesn't combine vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. A two-in-one serum, it brightens and hydrates the skin all at once. As someone who appreciates a simple skincare routine, I love this product.
I'd be remiss if I didn't include products from a classic and well-loved Japanese skincare brand, Shiseido. This serum is expensive, but to me, it's worth it because of stellar ingredients like fermented roselle extract, heartleaf extract, and reishi mushroom. Together, these ingredients strengthen the skin barrier, boost moisture, and reduce signs of aging thanks to high antioxidant content.
This vitamin C serum uses pure ascorbic acid to brighten dullness and minimize dark spots. Since vitamin C is notoriously unstable and degrades when it comes into contact with light and air, I appreciate that this serum has an airless nozzle to keep the star ingredient active. While I've only been using it for a couple of weeks, I can tell it's helping me knock out dark spots leftover from summer sun damage.
Moisturizers
You didn't think I'd leave out Tatcha, did you? This iconic and editor-loved brand makes so many worthy products, but this lightweight cream is at the top of my list (and the end of my skincare routine). Like I said before, I love gel-cream moisturizers, and this one is no different. It hydrates and plumps my skin and never leaves clogged pores behind. Plus, I like knowing that luxe ingredients like Japanese wild rose, Japanese leopard lily, green tea, rice, and algae are treating my skin.
My skin loves a gel-cream formula. They're heavy enough to lock in moisture and light enough to avoid clogged pores and breakouts in my T-zone. This one has been my go-to lately. Maybe it's thanks to the B vitamins found inside, but this lotion makes my skin feel so soft. It even helped me get rid of some roughness and flakiness caused by a high-percentage retinol serum.
With two different weights of hyaluronic acid and glycerin, this lightweight, hydrating cream locks in moisture. It also makes skin look plump and bouncy and protects it from environmental aggressors.
Eye & Lip Products
This eye-and-lip serum certainly earns the title of "next-level." It combines three types of peptides with plant stem cells, cherry blossom flower extract, Japanese rice wine, and niacinamide for a holistic firming, lifting, and plumping action. What really sets it apart, though, is its micro-spicules technology. This is a microscopic needle-like structure derived from sea sponges that's thought to deliver active ingredients further into the skin. Cool, right?
As someone who struggles with dark circles and is starting to see lines and wrinkles pop up around her eye area, a good eye cream is paramount. This one uses fermented roselle extract to help the skin retain water and heartleaf extract to support the skin barrier. Antioxidants keep the eye area protected from free radical damage.
I love lip masks. In fact, I've been using my trusty Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($24) for years. Lately, though, I've been reaching for this one, which is formulated with Japanese peach and olive-derived squalane. I put it on before bed, and I wake up with soft, smooth, and kissable lips come morning.
Masks
Okay, I know this is controversial, but I love a good sheet mask. There's just nothing else that can hydrate and plump my skin when it really needs some TLC. These ones are soaked in fermented sake essence that includes 16 amino acids, collagen, and vitamin C derivatives for a smooth, hydrated, and plump complexion.
