5 Best Japanese Skincare Products
Asian beauty is slowly making its way into American skin care routines, and for good reason. The level of innovation in Asia, especially Japan, is unprecedented. Japanese skincare products offer high-quality products at a cheap price. With that being said, who wouldn’t want to get their hands on Japanese skincare? Here are the 5 best Japanese skincare products.
1. Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Emulsion
Hada Labo is arguably the most popular skin care brand in Japan, and it’s no secret why. Their formulas provide extreme hydration to even the driest of skin. The Gokujyun Premium Emulsion is a milky fluid that goes on the skin like water. To best describe the texture, think of a milky toner that is rich, but also a tad runny. It is extremely easy to layer and will not gunk up the skin nor clog pores. This product is so rich, it can be used as a standalone moisturizer. What sets this emulsion apart from others is the fact that it has 5 different types of an ultra-hydrating ingredient, hyaluronic acid, that penetrates the skin at different layers. This means the hyaluronic acid is comprehensive in its hydration power on your skin. Often, some moisturizers/hydrating toners can sit at the top layer of skin and leave a tacky film. Once again, this emulsion hydrates the layers of skin below the surface meaning you are getting complete hydration. The Gokujyun Premium Emulsion can fit seamlessly into your current routine because of its ability to layer beautifully. To get the most hydration possible, try putting it on a damp face directly after cleansing, so that the hyaluronic acid can lock in all of the water content already on your face. At $13.46 for about 5 ounces of product, Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Emulsion is a must-try and a perfect introduction to the Japanese skincare world.
2. Melano CC
Melano CC is a Vitamin C gel that will brighten the skin and smooth out hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is a well-known skin care staple, but what sets this product apart is the formulation. In America, Vitamin C serums are prevalent but can be quite messy. You do not get much product per bottle, and the little amount recommended for use it not going to be as effective as Melano CC. Melano CC is a thin gel that is very easy to spread out on your skin. You can also use Melano CC as a spot treatment, which would be more difficult with a serum. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation from acne or melasma, this product would likely be effective coupled with sunscreen. In fact, when used under sunscreen, Melano CC can be a powerful antioxidant that can reduce free radical damage throughout the day. Overall, this product is extremely effective at brightening skin, and at only $9.95, Melano CC is a must-try.
3. Kikumasamune Sake High Moisture Lotion
This lotion adds a thin hydrating layer to your face or body whenever you need it. Packed with rice ferment filtrate, ceramides, and glycerin, this product is full of hydrating and healing ingredients that your skin will love. In fact, ceramides have been scientifically proven to strengthen your skin barrier, meaning your skin will be better at holding in its moisture. Even with all of these high-quality ingredients, Kikumasamune Sake High Moisture Lotion contains 16.9 ounces of product, a massive amount considering the quality of the lotion. The bottle also includes a pump, making it perfect for use all over the body. To get the most out of this lotion, put on your face and body right out of the shower to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated longer. Over time, ceramides will do their job at strengthening your skin barrier to hold hydration longer. At $16.50 for 16.9 ounces, this product is an absolute steal.
4. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
After a long day of being exposed to pollution, dirt, and other environmental stressors, not to mention a layer of sunscreen and maybe makeup on your face, a cleansing oil is crucial to completely clean your skin. Cleansing oils are preferable to makeup wipes and micellar waters because oil dissolves the film of grime on your face, as opposed to just wiping it off and stripping your skin as is the case with makeup wipes. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is a favorite of Japanese skincare. Packed with antioxidant olive oil, this product is a superstar at cleansing your skin at the end of the day. After cleansing, this cleansing oil leaves skin nurtured and clean, but not stripped and dry. By dissolving that thick layer of grime and cosmetics on the skin, it allows a second layer of cleansing, with a regular face wash, to be more effective. This is a result of the layer of grime being completely dissolved and rinsed away, allowing your second cleanse to get much deeper into the skin to finish the job. At only $26.50, this product is destined to be added to your routine.
5. Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Perfect Gel
This moisturizer is an all in one product that will save time in your routine without compromising hydration. Described as an all-in-one lotion, emulsion, liquid cosmetics, cream, and sleeping pack (mask), this product can be slapped right on a damp face after cleansing at night, and that could be it. This product is great because it will take care of everything your skin needs in one product. This product also contains four kinds of hyaluronic acid for comprehensive hydration. This product is not heavy. As the name states, it is a gel. But don’t doubt its hydration power. This gel is a refreshing and deeply hydrating product that will lock in hydration all night but will not feel heavy like a cream. The gel texture also makes this product ideal for people with acne. All in all, this product is your one-stop shop. For those long days where all you want to do is fall in bed, this can be a quick fix for all-night hydration. At $18.50, this product is a must-try.
