15 Best Japanese Skin-Care Products to Treat Your Skin Just Right

Everyone seems to be jetting off to Japan lately, and we don't blame them. Not only is it the land of matcha, sushi, and manga (just to name a few), but also incredible sunscreens, serums, and oil cleansers that are incredibly gentle yet effective on all skin types. (Some products are even spiked with matcha.) The best Japanese skin-care products can be hard to find stateside and not as abundant as Korean beauty products, but they are definitely accessible. One cleanser, in particular, even won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award.

We asked board-certified dermatologists, as well as a makeup artist born and raised in Tokyo, to share their favorite Japanese skin-care picks that you can easily purchase in America. Whether you can't make it to Tokyo any time soon or simply want to restock your faves from your last trip to Japan, we've got all the best Japanese skin-care products from Shiseido, SK-II, Curél, Bioré, and many more ahead.

Our Top Picks

• Our Favorite Japanese Skin-Care Product: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $99
• Best of Beauty Award Winner: DamDam Snow Mushroom Salt Cleanser, $47
• Best Japanese Skin-Care Product for Sensitive Skin: Curél Deep Moisture Spray, $15
• Best Japanese Skin-Care Product for Mature Skin: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Antioxidant Face Serum, $75
• Best Japanese Skin-Care Product for Oily Skin: I-Mju Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel, $16 $6
• Best Japanese Skin-Care Product for Dry Skin: Hada Labo Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Solution, $19 $12
• Best Japanese Skin-Care Product for Acne: Lion Pair Acne Cream, $9 $5
• Best Japanese Sunscreen, Chemical: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen, $16
• Best Japanese Sunscreen, Mineral: Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+, $27 $22
• Best Japanese Oil Cleanser: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $28 $20

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Japanese skin care best known for?
• What are the most popular ingredients in Japanese skin-care products?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Our Favorite Japanese Skin-Care Product: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Why it's worth it: "SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence is a true ride-or-die product in my skin-care routine," board-certified dermatologist Elaine Kung, MD, tells Allure. It's packed with a whopping 90% concentration of saccharomycopsis ferment filtrate a.k.a Pitera, a byproduct of sake fermentation rich in vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, to hydrate and brighten skin, she adds.

Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in Louisiana, also attests to the effectiveness of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. She's noticed the luxe liquid smooths the lines on her face, boosts her skin’s hydration levels, and diminishes her dark spots. "Given how gentle this product is and that it’s suitable for all skin types, it's so easy to incorporate into any routine if you're working on addressing visible signs of aging and seeking lifelong youthful skin," she adds.

Tester feedback: This has been a Japanese skin-care staple for so many Allure editors over the years—and, for editor in chief Jessica Cruel, a decade. She says that this treatment immediately gets rid of the tightness her cleansers tend to leave behind and gives her melanated skin a noticeable brightening boost. Commerce editor Sarah Han agrees with the brightening effect, which she especially appreciates in the morning when her tired skin could use a zhuzh. "It's all around a luxurious experience and my face looks noticeably plumper after each use," Han adds.

Key ingredients: saccharomycopsis ferment filtrate | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes

Best of Beauty Award Winner: DamDam Snow Mushroom Salt Cleanser

Why it's worth it: This 2023 Best of Beauty award winner turns the dreaded task of washing your face after a long day into an event you’ll look forward to. Each DamDam Snow Mushroom Salt Cleanser comes with a special cornsilk-laced glove that helps the cleansing bar lather into a lush foam. As you sweep it across your face, the glove gently exfoliates dead skin cells and excess sebum while the cleanser’s snow mushroom fills your freshly cleared pores with hydration. Your skin is sure to feel fresh and smoother after rinsing.

Editor's tip: On days when your skin feels sensitive, wipe the foam off the glove with your clean hand and float it atop your face instead.

Key ingredients: snow mushroom, sea salt | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: Curél Deep Moisture Spray

Why it's worth it: Those who want to elevate their skin’s hydration levels without adding heavy products to their faces or even having to touch their skin in the process are about to fall in love with this lightweight facial spray like board-certified dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD, has. Curél’s Deep Moisture Spray helps lock in moisture with a super fine mist of ceramides and glycerin. “It’s great as a light moisturizer or under moisturizer for additional hydration,” she shares. Former Allure editor Devon Abelman keeps it by her side on days when her skin is inflamed, especially when adjusting to a new retinoid or acne treatment, to provide her skin with instant relief thanks to allantoin and skin-repairing lipids.

Editor's tip: Try misting this over your makeup to help matte makeup appear less powdery and enhance the dewiness of luminous formulas.

Key ingredients: glycerin, allantoin, ceramides | Who it's for: anyone who wants to add lightweight hydration to their skin-care routine, particularly those with sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Mature Skin: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Antioxidant Face Serum

Why it's worth it: Shiseido's Ultimune Power Infusing Antioxidant Face Serum has been on our radar for nearly a decade. Back in 2016, it won a Best of Beauty Award for its refreshing, coconut water-like formula that helps smooth and protect all skin types. Formulated with an array of soothing botanical extracts, such as heartleaf, reishi mushroom, and ginkgo biloba, this silky serum straight from Japan is chock full of antioxidants, which help fight fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin rejuvenation, notes Dr. Liu.

Editor's tip: The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Antioxidant Face Serum is gentle enough to incorporate into your morning and nighttime skin-care routines.

Key ingredients: rosewater, ginkgo biloba, heartleaf | Who it's for: people who want to revitalize and smooth their skin | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Oily Skin: I-Mju Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel

Why it's worth it: This tub is filled with possibilities. The I-Mju Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel doubles as an oil-free toner and acne-friendly moisturizer to give skin a glow as glassy as the lightweight gel looks. You can slather it on after cleansing or save it for after your serum step. Some people even use it as a makeup primer. If you happen to get a sunburn (we hope you don’t, but we know it happens), you can also smooth it onto that to help calm your inflamed skin. All of these functions are powered by hatomugi—or in English, job’s tears—which helps heal and hydrate skin.

Editor's tip: Job's tears is naturally rich in niacinamide, so the I-Mju Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel also helps brighten lackluster skin. Plus, it contains a stable form of vitamin C called Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Key ingredients: job’s tears, vitamins C and E, glycerin | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Dry Skin: Hada Labo Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Solution

Why it's worth it: Hada Labo continually reformulates its Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Solution to add more forms of hyaluronic acid, so this vicious, toner-like fluid becomes more and more intensely hydrating. Each has a different molecular weight, so the product can instantly revive dry, parched skin and provide additional moisture throughout the day (or night).

Editor's tip: Incorporate this into your skin-care routine as your toner step or as a lightweight moisturizer.

Key ingredients: urea and several types of hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: people with dry and mature skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Inflammed Skin: Kitao Matcha & Chia Facial Cream

Why it's worth it: Kitao works with a farm in Kyoto to harvest premium-grade matcha for its skin-care products, including the ultra-rich Matcha & Chia Facial Cream. Its finely milled, antioxidant-rich green tea is combined with ceramides, shea butter, and sebum-balancing chia seed oil to keep skin calm, hydrated, and firm—never greasy.

Editor's tip: Matcha and chia seed oil also bring incredible anti-inflammatory benefits to skin, making it especially comforting for angry, broken-out skin.

Key ingredients: matcha, chia seed oil, ceramides | Who it's for: everyone, particularly those with oily and acne-prone skin | Fragrance-free: no

Best Japanese Sunscreen, Chemical: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen

Why it's worth it: You can guarantee Bioré's UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen will go on clear onto every skin tone—mark our words. This chemical SPF is a favorite of Allure editors and Dr. Turegano alike because it doesn't leave any cast, feels featherlight on skin, and adds major moisture without feeling greasy.

Tester feedback: "This was the first Asian sunscreen I ever tried and it's still a winner in my book," commerce editor Sarah Han says. "Despite a number of reformulations, it checks off all of the boxes: super moisturizing (great for dry skin especially!), melts into the skin, and doesn't leave a white cast."

Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (5%), hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Who it's for: everyone, especially those with deeper skin tones and dry skin | Fragrance-free: no

Best Japanese Sunscreen, Mineral: Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+

Why it's worth it: If you hate how uncomfortably thick and pasty some American sunscreens feel on your face, you must give Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ a chance. This Japanese SPF feels more like the milky toners taking over TikTok with its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula. It features a combo of mineral and chemical UV filters alongside amazing ones not found in stateside SPFs, Dr. Liu says. One of those filters even becomes more effective when you go outside on humid days, sweat, and go swimming.

Editor's tip: Although this sunscreen is water-resistant, don’t forget to reapply every two hours for consistent sun protection.

Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10.35%), octocrylene (5%), green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: no

Best Moisturizer with SPF: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Day Cream SPF 30

Why it's worth it: "I love a good multitasking moisturizer, and this one is definitely up there as one of my favorites," shares Dr. Turegano. The Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Day Cream SPF 30 is spiked with a safflower extract native to Japan to help lift, firm, and even skin tone. "It works by boosting circulation and bringing more nutrients into the skin," she adds. Ginseng root extract is also key to helping the luxuriously silky moisturizer strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and further revitalize and tighten skin.

Editor's tip: Yes, this moisturizer has sun protection, but it won’t last all day. Be sure to apply more SPF before sun exposure.

Key ingredients: safflower and ginger root extracts | Who it's for: people with mature skin | Fragrance-free: no

Best Cleansing Oil: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Why it's worth it: Allure editors have long swore by the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil for the first step of their double cleansing routine. "This lightweight oil feels like a dream on my skin," Angela Trakoshis, our shopping market editor, has previously shared. "It strips down any makeup or dirt from the day and leaves my face glowy and super soft." It's an amazing mineral oil-free formula that even Vision always reaches for. She recommends using it on dry skin with dry hands. Massage the oil into your skin until your makeup is fully dissolved. Then, add a bit of water, so the cleanser can emulsify. "A lot of people don't do this and find that oil cleanser does not work, so emulsion is a must," Vision adds.

Editor's tip: After rinsing off this Japanese cleansing oil, follow it up with a water-based cleanser to complete your double cleanse.

Key ingredients: olive fruit oil, rosemary leaf oil, vitamin E | Who it's for: people who wear long-wearing makeup and those with sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Vitamin C Serum: Rohto Melano CC Essence

Why It's Worth It: The best Japanese vitamin C serum you can get your hands on is the Rohoto Melano CC Essence. The brightening elixir is formulated with more than just your basic standard pure vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid) to diminish dark spots, dullness, and texture. It also brings Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (a powerful vitamin C derivative) and alpinia seed extract (a natural brightener) into the fold to elevate the serum’s skin-illuminating abilities.

Editor's tip: If you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution. Be sure to patch test this vitamin C before layering it on your face to avoid irritation and allergic reactions.

Key ingredients: vitamin C, alpinia seed extract | Who it's for: people with dull skin and hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-free: no

Best Spot Treatment: Lion Pair Acne Cream

Why it's worth it: The Lion Pair Acne Cream keeps going viral on TikTok for its incredible skin-clearing benefits. The affordable spot treatment contains ibuprofen piconol (yes, like the pain reliever), and isopropylmethylphenol to reduce redness and inflammation while killing acne-causing bacteria. Dr. Liu loves that it doesn’t cause further irritation, and you can use it at the same time as benzoyl peroxide and retinoids.

Editor's tip: Dab the acne cream only onto the areas where you are breaking out.

Key ingredients: ibuprofen piconol, isopropylmethylphenol | Who it's for: people with acne | Fragrance-free: no

Best Lightweight Serum: Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Serum

Why it's worth it: Decorté’s Liposome Advanced Repair Serum is flecked with tiny capsules filled with intensely hydrating ingredients, like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and natural moisturizing factors. As you spread it onto your skin, they burst to help improve dryness, wrinkles, and overall skin health, Dr. Kung says.

Editor's tip: This lightweight cream-to-gel serum works so well to hydrate skin that you may find yourself skipping moisturizer.

Key ingredients: ceramides, probiotics, vitamin E | Who it's for: people with dryness or mature skin | Fragrance-free: no

Best Micellar Water: Bifesta Micellar Eye Makeup Remover

Why it's worth it: The secret to removing the most stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner without causing irritation is Bifesta's Micellar Eye Makeup Remover, according to Tokyo-born, New York City-based makeup artist Yuui Vision. The oil-based formula is always in her kit and her personal skin-care routine because it dissolves long-wearing eye makeup in seconds simply by soaking a cotton pad with it and holding it onto your eye for about 20 seconds—no rubbing needed.

Editor's tip: This eye makeup remover contains lash-loving ingredients, like vitamin E and panthenol, to keep your lashes lush and hydrated.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, panthenol, vitamin E | Who it's for: people who wear waterproof mascara | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Like Korean skin care, Japanese skin care focuses on hydration and maintaining bouncy, mochi-like skin with simple-yet-innovative products, according to Dr. Liu.

Double cleansing and serum-like sunscreens are also quintessential parts of Japanese skin care. Most of the top beauty best sellers in Japan fall into those categories with nourishing cleansing oils, decadent foam cleansers, and SPF with barely there finishes. Plus, many of these Japanese beauty products tend to be on the more affordable side as they can often be found in Japanese drugstores alongside incredible haircare products. (But that’s another story for another time.)

J-beauty products are less about firming and smoothing skin with harsh actives, like retinol and. Instead, Japanese skin-care products are more likely to pack ingredients for locking in moisture and boosting collagen production with botanical extracts often found in other Asian products—not just skin care—such as ginseng, sake, green tea, ginkgo biloba, and snow mushrooms. You can also find tons of toners, lotions, cleansers, and eye creams formulated with stateside skin-care ingredient favorites, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol to also elevate hydration and strengthen skin’s moisture barrier.

• Elaine Kung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Future Bright Dermatology
• Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in Louisiana
• Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota
• Yuui Vision, a makeup artist based in New York City

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best eye creams for wrinkles, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Our favorite skin-care products come from all across the globe—let's dive into them:

• Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2023: Skin Care
• The Best Korean Skin-Care Products That'll Transform Your Complexion
• 18 Top Dermatologists Reveal Their Skin-Care Routines
• The Best Face Masks for Mature Skin for Intense, Comforting Hydration

Done reading? Now, watch a cosmetic chemist guess which lip gloss is more expensive:

Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.