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Which cosmetics to buy in Japan? Where to buy them? (2020)

After a month and a half in Japan, I must tell you one thing: Japanese women have really beautiful skin (even without makeup, their skin is flawless). It’s not only genetic, the many cosmetic stores and statistics prove that Japanese women spend a lot of money in facial care. And their products are really effective.

Where to buy Japanese cosmetics in Japan?

You can buy most cosmetic products at “drugstores” such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Seijo,K Port Drug Mart, Sundrug, Kokumin… You can also find them at Darty’s equivalents, such as Big Camera, Tokyu Hands

It is better to buy the most expensive brands like SK-II, Shiseido from “department stores” like Aeon, Takashimaya, Daimaru… (to get gifts and samples). Type these names on Google Maps to find the closest department store to your hotel.

You will see, the stores here are full of products and everything is written in Japanese.

It’s very hard to wander around the stores without doing any research. The trick is to go to ranking.cosme.neta site where Japanese cosmetics fanatics rate products in each category – and find the top products of the moment. Then, in the stores, look for the cosme” label on the products. Those with a “cosme” label are award-winning products and a priori the best.

How to get the tax reduction? (Tax free, duty free) ?

All the Japanese stores listed above offer “tax-free” i.e. you don’t have to pay the 8% tax on cosmetics. Be careful, you must spend at least 5000yen/purchase to be eligible for tax-free. You just have to show your passport. Be aware that in Japan, prices are all displayed tax-free (including in restaurants) so don’t be surprised if the displayed price of the product you buy is 10,000yen and after the tax reduction, you still pay 10,000yen.

All purchases will be put in a sealed transparent bag (like at the airport – as you aren’t supposed to use them in Japan) and the receipt will be stuck on your passport. You will get the tax rebate immediately.

A priori, at the airport, nobody will check your purchases, so you show your passport at immigration and do not need to show your purchases at customs.

Where to buy Japanese cosmetics from *France*?

There is no physical store in France but you can store online. YesStyle (link) is a reliable site with a lot of Korean/Japanese products. The delivery is done in 2-3 days for the most popular products, very soft prices in addition, customs fees (if any) are refunded. There are always plenty of gifts and samples. Use the code K7BPCF to get -10% on your first order

The Japanese Routine

Before going to Japan, read the excellent/bible The Beauty Secrets of Japanese Women: To have a dream skin at any age! by Chizu Saeki to know the Japanese beauty routine

Be aware that the complete Japanese routine consists of “only” 6 steps:

  1. Make-up removal with oil (in the evening only)
  2. Cleaning
  3. Scrubbing (once a week)
  4. Lotion/Toner
  5. Serum
  6. Emulsion (summer) or Cream (winter).

Followed by a Sun Care Cream every day: it looks like a long time but in reality, it only takes 10 minutes. Japanese products are more liquid than European/American products, that’s why you can spread 5-6 coats without clogging the pores.

If you forget the order of application, spread with products from the most liquid to the least liquid.

For my Japanese/Korean skincare routine, check out this article

How much does it cost?

I have gathered for you the best products in many categories. I have not tested all of them, fortunately for my 😀 wallet but it may give you some gift ideas for you and your loved ones. Except SK-II and HAKU, all products here cost less than 15€.

Products to buy in Japan

Prepare a coffee or a tea because the continuation will be long, very very long …

Make-up remover products: step 1

It is necessary to remove make-up even if you do not wear make-up, to remove all dust, excess sebum and sunscreen. Make-up remover oil is the basis of the Japanese routine.

FANCL, SK-II and Bifesta Wipes

From left to right :

  • FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil 120ml: No. 1 in the Cosme ranking. Massage the face with this oil for 30 seconds. Then put a little warm water to transform the oil into a cream. It is necessary to rinse the whole.(click here to buy from France). I know that DHC oil (available at Monoprix) is very fashionable and on sale everywhere in France, but try FANCL and you will throw your DHC in the trash 😀
  • SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel (miniature version): super effective make-up removal cream, but the full-size version is too expensive for what it is. I only use the mini version which lasts 2 months.
  • Make-up removing wipes, choose the brand Bifesta, KosĂ© or BiorĂ©, they are really good
Bifesta Cleansing Lotion

Facial cleansers: step 2

Hada Labo, a best-seller
  • HADA LABO’s hyaluronic acid cleaner is one of the best on the market. With an ideal PH of 5.5, it also dispenses the cleaner in the form of foam (be careful to buy exactly the bottle above, the other sizes are just cleaning gels ). Click here to buy from France
Fancl
  • In recent years, Hada Labo has been dethroned in the rankings by Fancl – Deep Clear Washing Powder. This very practical cleanser (we have a daily dose per capsule, great for traveling) contains enzymes, charcoal and clay. It can produce a nice lather with a net – for very dirty pores. The 30 capsule version is a bit expensive, try to spot the small 10 capsule packs if you just want to try it(buy from France here – 30 capsules)
perfect whip
  • Perfect Whip: can be considered a little aggressive for the skin, but Japanese women use a net to lather it before using it. Buy a net to lather your cleansing gels too. It will be softer for the skin(buy from France here)
Bifesta
  • The Bifesta cleaner has the advantage of being already in foam form. For those who don’t want to use a net (buy from France here)

From left to right :

  • EVITA BEAUTY WHIP SOAP BY KANEBO: super foam that cleans well and I’ll let this picture explain the rest < 3
  • Rosette Cleansing Paste (blue square box, acne clear): my favorite! It’s a sulfur-containing cleanser, ideal for skin with blemishes – it was thanks to this cleanser that I said goodbye to my adult acne. Make some stock of it – it’s very difficult to find it anywhere else than in Japan!(buy from France)
  • Rosette Cleansing Paste (miniature version, green color): cleanser removes all impurities, tightens pores
  • SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (miniature version): I love this cleanser that leaves skin clean and supple. But it’s too expensive, so I’ll settle for the mini version.

Scrubbing: step 3

Cure, a bestseller
  • CURE Natural Aqua Gel: it is the number 1 in the Cosme ranking. This exfoliation without grains is hyper famous. Look for the smaller and cheaper version because you don’t need many products. It’s a miracle product, with this product you no longer need to go to the spa. (buy from France)

Tonic Lotion: Step 4

The tonic lotions are used to restore the PH of the skin and remove the last dirt. This is the basis of the Japanese routine. Japanese tonic lotions have nothing to do with toners in Europe or the United States. It is the first moisturizing step, and a good tonic lotion is the basis for beautiful skin.

hada Labo’s lotion, a best-seller
  • Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion – Gokujyun by HadaLabo: a bestseller for years, this lotion has the texture of a serum. It contains 4 forms of hyaluronic acid and a good PH. This product has different colors, depending on skin type (red for thirsty skin, blue for normal skin and green for oily skin). As with all products containing hyaluronic acid, always moisturize the skin behind (with an emulsion or cream), otherwise it will have the opposite effect. (buy from France)

From left to right :

  • NATURIE HATOMUGI SKIN CONDITIONER: very liquid, moisturizing, it is the n°1 in the Cosme classification. It contains a little alcohol so it isn’t suitable for too sensitive skin(buy from France)
  • Shiseido Hadasui Face and Body Lotion: composed of 100% water from Mount Fuji. It is an inexpensive alternative (3€ for 240ml) to the thermal water of AvĂšne/La Roche Posay/Uriage. A bit hard to find.(buy from France)
  • Balancing Water by Elixir: smells like a rose, Elixir is a brand of Shiseido, available only in Japan. I bought this test version (7 days). Suitable for those who like tonics that smell good. (buy from France)
Meishoku Bigansui
  • Meishoku Bigansui Medicated Skin Lotion: a BHA equivalent to purge the skin. Attention this product contains quite a lot of alcohol, to put only on the buttons so that they mature faster and disappear faster(buy from France).

Japanese cottons

The lotions are used with cotton … Japanese too.

  • You can opt for the box on the left, where a absorbent cotton splits into 5 thin cottons. You can use it for the famous Japanese lotion mask (type “lotion mask” on google to know what it is)
  • Or the box on the right: UNICHARMSilcot Uruuru Sponge Facial Cotton: an award-winning cotton, which absorbs very little product, to be used absolutely with expensive products like SK-II because you save a lot of product. It is one of the best-sellers and very difficult to find elsewhere than in Asia. (buy from France here)

Essences & Boosters: Step 5

  • SK-II Facial Treatment essence: this is the “luxury” step of my entire routine because this brand is the equivalent of Chanel in France. It is a best-seller product that contains PITERA, one of the many bacteria involved in the production of sake. It was noticed that the hands of sake brewers were particularly soft, and research led to the discovery of this ingredient, which has since been used in all SK-II products. I used this product for a month and did skin tests (free at SK-II) to find out the results before/after my SK-II routine (+ HAKU see serum section below). Results: My skin is firmer, with fewer spots, more hydrated, and more radiant. Be careful, the essence prepares the skin to better absorb the moisturizing products that follow. It should *NOT* be used alone without serum or cream behind. Risk of purging during the first weeks of use, it is a bit like an acid toner that you use for the first time, the impurities come out to leave a beautiful skin afterwards.(buy from France the gasoline, or le kit d’essai par ici)
  • A dupe of the SK-II essence is Albion Skin Conditioner. But I warn you, the packaging is very very ugly/happy. The price remains high, almost like SK-II. It’s a dupe but it isn’t more economical for all that. It’s just easier to use (less risk of purging). (buy from France)
TuneMakers
  • TuneMakers: A best-seller, even if it’s hard to find it in stores, even in Japan (the products are rather sold online). It’s the equivalent of The Ordinary at its best. Try to find them at Tokyo Hands and @cosme stores. They have a basic cream & lotion (which aren’t terrible). But a multitude of boosters, between 10ml and 20ml. Depending on your needs, you buy the booster that goes well. Either you dilute the booster in the cream (or lotion) of the brand, or you apply 1 to 2 drops directly on the skin, after the lotion, and before the serum. These boosters have between 5 and 6 ingredients only. The best known are : Ceramide 200 (to restore the skin’s protective barrier), and Fullerene (anti-blemishes, dull skin). They have other boosters (arbutin, AHA, vitamin C, liquorice…). I opted for Ceramide 200 for my protective barrier and licorice(licorice) for spots.(buy Tunemakers serums from France here)

Moisturizing masks: step 6

Japanese women use a lot of masks, and this is one of their secrets, because the mask really helps to deeply moisturize the skin. Be careful, the Japanese mask is shaped like a “sheet mask” i.e. with a piece of cloth soaked with products. You put it on your face for 5 to 10 minutes and then throw it away. You can rinse the rest of the product with water, or simply remove the excess with a cotton pad.

From left to right :

  • Keana Rice Mask: tightens pores, removes impurities. This mask must be rinsed with water at the end (lien d’achat depuis la France)
  • Lululun: my favorite! There are 7 day or 30 day packs. It is a very moisturizing mask, for dry skin (lien d’achat depuis la France)
  • Sake Yeast Mask from My Beauty Diary: my 2nd favorite! It’s a Taiwanese product, but is considered a dupe of the SK-II mask. The results aren’t similar, but my dull skin appreciates it very much. The next day, it looks like it went to the spa. Very very hard to find but miraculous product.
  • Quality 1st is also a very well known brand of masks. The masks are available in 3 or 30 day packs.
  • Saborino has been a bestseller for a few years. It is an all-in-one mask for the morning, allowing to replace the cleaning, toner, serum… after only 1 minute of mask application. Attention, at the end, fold the mask in 4 and pass it over the face to remove the excess of the product. The pack above contains 30 masks, you have enough to pamper your skin for a month. (buy from France)
  • This mask whose name I do not know is made famous by a Chinese star (Fan Bing Bing thing muche) who claims to use only this for his super beautiful skin.
  • Sheet masks have the disadvantage of falling easily. So buy this type of silicone mask to put on top of your sheet mask and do other things (cooking, reading…) without being afraid that your mask will fall off.
  • Facial Treatment Mask from SK-II: also called the ex’s mask, it costs three arms and 2 legs ($20 for ONE mask) – but it is THE solution to look beautiful the next day (especially if you are attending your ex’s wedding for example ahaha). It is extremely difficult to find packs of SK-II masks in Japan (yet it is a Japanese brand) because tourists (like mwwwa) buy them massively. Unlike other masks, this one is made of silk and is impregnated with the miraculous product: the essence of SK-II. Don’t throw away the package because there is so much essence that you can soak another hehe mask in it 🙂 It’s so expensive that I could only test it with the test kit. And it didn’t disappoint me at all (buy the test kit here in France)

Serum: Step 7

  • Haku Melano Focus V: Serums are generally expensive in Japan because they are care products (anti-stain or anti-wrinkle). One of the best known brands for their brown anti-spot care is HAKU (Shiseido’s sub-brand). Their Melano Focus V serum isn’t only very moisturizing but also effective on brown spots (Asian skins have very few wrinkles but have a lot of brown spots). It also works for hyperpigmentation and acne spots. I bought the 20g version (with a box compatible with the 45g and 20g refills) and I was immediately seduced by its effectiveness. I told you upstairs that I did a skin analysis at SK-II and after a month of the SK-II/HAKU routine, the machine measured the decrease in spots on my face. I highly recommend it! Currently, a 45g refill is sold in the 10,800yen + 20g offered. (buy from France)
  • A similar product is White Shot of the POLA brand (sold in POLA stores). It is also one of the top brands for anti-brown stain products.
  • Vitamin C10 Serum of Obagi is a miracle solution for those who suffer from brown spots or hyperpigmentation. It is an American brand, which requires the prescription of a dermatologist (or doctor) in the USA (because of the concentration of hydroquinone). But this product is available over-the-counter in Japan, so it will be easier to get it in Japan. The price is very high (count between 50€ and 100€) but it is a miracle product based on 2 magic ingredients: between 10% and 25% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and 4% hydroquinone. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to test it (I learned about it once I went to Japan), but I saw the before/after pictures of my girlfriends and I think it works better than laser and better than my HAKU serum. This product also strengthens the skin and gives a smoother appearance. If you are new to Vitamin C, I recommend the 10% version. The 25% version is the most concentrated, the most expensive, but also the most unstable (you only have 30 days to finish a bottle) but your skin must be strong and used to it. And it’ s better to spread this serum, let it rest for 5 minutes and continue with your usual skin care (avoid using it with The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc; the essence of SKII and all kinds of acids: AHA/BHA). Obagi’s SPF 50 sunscreen is also a best-seller, to be used as a complement to the serum to effectively get rid of your spots.(buy from France)

Emulsion: step 8

I have no products to recommend, I do not use emulsions, only creams.

Moisturizing cream: step 9

  • The white cream at Kracie: is particularly adapted to the skins with imperfections or sensitive skins like mine. It hydrates without greasing the skin.
  • I’ve just discovered another MINON Amino Moist brand and its moist gel pack. This brand is usually reserved for dry or sensitive skin. But my mixed and dehydrated skin likes it very much. It is absorbed directly by my skin and has no shine. There is no alcohol, no paraben… it is safe for sensitive skin. I also recommend its moisturizing mask (7€ for 4 masks, but it’s the secret to have a nice skin overnight), tourists buy it by basket.(click to buy from France)

Night cream : step 10

Normally, a richer skin cream should be used at night, but I haven’t tested any, so I won’t know which one to recommend.

Sun cream

  • Here are some sun creams that are very popular and effective in Japan. They do not leave an oily film, is very quickly absorbed by the skin. However, they all contain alcohol, except for the cream at FANCL (which contains no preservatives, no alcohol, but whose use date is limited to 2 months after opening). Japanese women have been spreading sun cream since their early childhood, hence their beautiful skin.

Make-up

Japanese women like the no-makeup makeup look, so the products are not very spicy. It’s a discreet makeup, not too matte, nor too glowy. You have to like it 🙂

  • Brushes by Rosy Rosa: I don’t know anything about brushes, but I find that this one is very soft, easy to wash and dries in a day
  • Eyebrow pencil EXCEL: super pencil very known because it contains 3 parts: pencil, brush and foam for “blender”
  • Canmake Cream cheek: one of the best-sellers and n°1 Cosme. There are a lot of pretty colors and the price is ridiculously low compared to the quality
  • OPERA Lipstick: n°1 Cosme, it is more a lip balm/gloss. Fans of matte lipstick won’t like it, but I find it is discreet and slightly pulps the lips, I like it
  • Concealer CANMAKE: there is little product, but the little is enough to camouflage imperfections. To be used for those who do not have a lot of dark circles because the formulation is a little dry
  • CANMAKE Powder: n°1 Cosme. No more need for BB, CC Cream or foundation, this powder gives a OUTDOOR complexion! The first few seconds are a bit disappointing, one has the impression that the face is powdery and all white, but after a few minutes, the color returns to normal and one finds oneself with a no-makeup makeup look at the top <3 Small weak point: mixed and oily skins will continue to shine at the end of the day.(buy from France here)
  • If you are looking for a loose powder, you should definitely try DecortĂ© Loose Pow der (which has several colors in addition, test well before). This product, just released, is already a bestseller and award-winning everywhere.
  • Cushion Ion: This egg-shaped cushion has a little bling bling packaging, but the product is top of the line. Especially for fans of the no-makeup makeup look, which Japanese women have been practicing for ages. It contains ions to keep dust and pollution away. Ah ah!(buy from France here)

Other products

Ask beforehand about ion machines like YA-MAN, Hada Crie, Belulun… these are machines that allow you to deeply cleanse the pores and moisturize the skin, to be used with your own current facial care products (toner, serum…). Be careful to buy the 220V version (the current in Japan is 110V).

As for the REFA machines, they use solar energy and are ideal for getting rid of excess fat on the arms and thighs, while boosting collagen production. Japanese women use them to have a V-shaped face and make the jaws more angular (they find it looks better than a round face).

  • If you are concerned about milium grains, in France the only solution you have is to go to the dermatologist. In Japan, they have this magical product Tsubuporon Eye Essence 1.8ML based on medicinal plants (a mix of AHA, peeling and moisturizing ingredients) and after 2 weeks, the grains will disappear. Apply a small amount of product on each bead and use the applicator to lightly scrape the beads.
  • Shiseido’sFino Premium Touch is an extremely popular (and award-winning) product: it’s a mask to apply to hair after shampooing. Hair will be silky smooth afterwards. It’s not organic (stuffed with silicone) but Asian hair products are, I admit, the best in the world (buy from France here)

For a brief summary of my favorites (Japanese) and how to use them, watch my video

When you are in Japan, don’t forget to enjoy a relaxing session in a sento (tattoos allowed) or an onsen (tattoos not allowed ). JB explains here how it works.

Did you like this article? Check out our travel diaries in Japan:

Travel Diary Osaka (Japan) #1 : flight hours and our Airbnb
Travel Diary Osaka (Japan) #2 : our first onsen, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street
Travel Diary Osaka (Japan) #3: Osaka Castle, cherry blossoms, Namba Walk, Bic Camera, SK-II
Travel Notes Osaka (Japan) #4: Sakura at the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, Japan Folk Crafts Museum
Travel Notebook Osaka (Japan) #5 : One night in a Ryokan – Fudouguchikan Ryokan in Osaka
Travel Notes Osaka (Japan) #6 : My Favorite Restaurants
Travel Notebook Osaka (Japan) #7 : My favorite shopping addresses

Travel journal Kyoto (Japan) #1 : Sakura, Cherry blossoms
Travel journal Kyoto (Japan) #2: Museum of Traditional Crafts, Kyoto Botanical Garden, Fushimi Inari-taisha
Miyako Odori 2018 : Advice and Practical Tips – Travel Diary Kyoto (Japan) #3
Carnet de Voyage Kyoto (Japan) #4: Nishiki’s market, Cat Cafe
Carnet de Voyage Kyoto (Japan) #5: Kiyomizu-dera, Hokanji, Ishibei-koji, Gion district

One day in Koyasan – Mount Kƍya (Japan) : Okuno-in cemetery, how to get there, Koyasan pass, practical info
A day in Nara (Japan): Tƍdai-ji, Isuien Neiraku Museum, Yoshikien Garden, Kasuga-taisha shrine, mochis and deer from Nara Park
A day in Kobe and Himeji (Japan): Himeji Castle and Arima-onsen Hot Spring
I tested the Kobe beef in Kobe (Japan) and loved it!

Travel diary Tokyo (Japan) #1: Nihonbashi, Ginza, Odaiba
Travel diary Tokyo (Japan) #2: Ueno, Akihabara, Tour of Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku

A day at Mount Fuji (Japan) : Travel diary
How to get to Mount Fuji? and where to take beautiful pictures of Mount Fuji

Digital Nomad: Results after 1.5 months in Japan (Osaka, Kansai, Tokyo)

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