Japanese face creams are known for their gentle formulations that are safe and reliable for your skin.
With the changing seasons, they’re definitely a must-buy item to take back home.
Many people want to purchase face creams that are genuinely recommended by locals living in Japan, right?
In this article, I will introduce highly functional face creams that I, as a resident of Japan, genuinely recommend for you to buy when visiting Japan.
From easily accessible options at drugstores to high-end products from department stores, I’ll cover a wide range, so be sure to check them out.
Where to Buy Face Creams in Japan?
For Souvenirs and Budget-Friendly Options, Head to Drugstores
Japanese drugstores are perfect for tourists looking for souvenirs or convenient shopping.
Most drugstores offer high-quality face creams at affordable prices, making them ideal for those looking for budget-friendly to premium options.
From well-known brands to organic options, they offer a wide range of products, and many stores provide tax-free shopping, allowing tourists to enjoy great deals.
If you’re considering face creams as a small souvenir, visiting a drugstore is highly recommended.
For a Wide Variety, Visit Tokyu Hands or LOFT
If you’re looking for unique Japanese face creams, Tokyu Hands or LOFT are the places to go.
In addition to the standard skincare brands, you’ll find natural and trendy new products as well.
They also have many samples and testers you can try on your skin, so you can take your time to find the product that suits you best.
With a selection of premium products and beautifully designed packaging, it’s also perfect for finding special gifts.
For Bulk Buying, Visit Don Quijote
If you want to buy a lot of face creams at once, Don Quijote is the place to go.
With stores all over Japan, many of which are open 24 hours, you can shop without worrying about time during your travels.
They offer a variety of large-sized products and bulk packs at more reasonable prices, making it easy to get multiple items at once.
Stop by during your trip and get great deals by buying in bulk!
Recommended Face Creams
Curel Face Cream
- Ceramide-infused medicated cream
- Wraps the skin like a protective layer
- Safe for sensitive and irritated skin
Curel Face Cream is formulated with ceramide as a moisturizing ingredient along with eucalyptus extract to deliver deep hydration to the skin’s stratum corneum.
It helps prevent skin irritation and provides a protective and enveloping feel, leaving your skin plump and hydrated.
It also contains anti-inflammatory agents (active ingredients), making it safe for those with sensitive skin.
The texture is very light and leaves your skin feeling moisturized without any greasiness.
It helps prevent dryness-related skin issues and maintains healthy skin, making it especially recommended for winter.
Aqualabel Special Gel Cream EX Brightening
- All-in-one cream for preventing dark spots
- Feels like a moisturizing mask
- Five functions in one cream
Aqualabel Special Gel Cream EX Brightening is an all-in-one brightening gel cream perfect for those seeking hydration and radiance.
The rich gel penetrates deeply into the skin, addressing dryness and dullness while promoting a fine, bright complexion.
It has a light, smooth texture that spreads easily over the skin, leaving it hydrated all day long.
It contains the brightening active ingredient tranexamic acid, helping you achieve a luminous complexion with your daily skincare routine.
Kanebo CREAM IN DAY
- The perfect choice for a daytime cream
- Prevents skin from drying out during the day
- Light texture and easy to use under makeup
Kanebo CREAM IN DAY is a day cream that protects your skin from daytime UV rays while providing hydration and firmness.
With its soft and smooth texture, it blends comfortably into the skin, protecting it from dryness while maintaining a hydrated finish.
It can be used over foundation, making it convenient for touch-ups throughout the day.
It also works as a primer, helping your makeup go on smoothly.
This is a must-have item for anyone who wants to keep their skin glowing all day long.
MUJI Aging Care Medicated Wrinkle Care Cream
- So popular in Japan it was temporarily out of stock
- Contains niacinamide and is priced at just 1,990 yen
- Reliable MUJI quality
MUJI Aging Care Medicated Wrinkle Care Cream is a rich cream focused on wrinkle improvement and hydration.
It contains the active ingredient niacinamide, which works effectively on wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and neck, making it a popular anti-aging product in Japan!
Additionally, its seven functional ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and collagen, provide deep hydration, making it perfect for nighttime skincare.
It was so popular in Japan that it was temporarily out of stock a must-try cream.
Kikumasamune Sake Cream
- Light scent of Japanese sake
- Uniquely Japanese cream
- Contains ceramide and amino acids for lasting hydration
Kikumasamune Sake Cream is a large-capacity cream infused with Japanese sake (rice ferment filtrate, moisturizing ingredient) that deeply hydrates your skin.
It is enriched with amino acids and ceramides, providing excellent moisturizing benefits while effectively treating dryness and rough skin.
The rich yet non-greasy texture spreads easily, leaving your skin soft and supple.
It can be used not only on your face but also on your entire body, making it perfect for applying generously after a shower or bath.
For even greater hydration, use it together with the “Kikumasamune Skincare Emulsion”.
This product is gentle on the skin, being slightly acidic, colorant-free, and suitable for daily use.
KeaNadeshiko Rice Cream
- Cream made with 100% domestic rice
- Popular KeaNadeshiko series in Japan
- Rice skincare products are uniquely Japanese, perfect as gifts
KeaNadeshiko Rice Cream is a moisturizing cream that provides plump elasticity to dry and pore-prone skin, featuring moisturizing ingredients derived from 100% domestic rice.
With its rich blend of rice serum (rice ferment filtrate, rice bran oil, sphingolipids, rice bran extract), it locks in moisture and creates smooth, poreless skin.
It is colorant-free, fragrance-free, and slightly acidic, making it safe for sensitive skin.
Simply apply it all over your face after lotion to support a beautiful, makeup-free look with your daily skincare routine.
ONE BY KOSE Serum Veil
- Moisturizes and reduces wrinkles
- A medicated cream with a unique texture
- Recommended for those who prioritize functionality
ONE BY KOSE Serum Veil is a cream that delivers intense hydration deep into the stratum corneum, leaving your skin radiant and moisturized.
It effectively improves rough skin and reduces wrinkles, and as a medicated product, it is a reliable choice.
Its non-greasy, pleasant texture is perfect for those who dislike the stickiness of moisturizers or the greasiness of balms.
Despite its lightweight feel, it provides solid moisture and is suitable for dry seasons or fluctuating skin conditions.
“ONE BY KOSE” is a popular cosmetic brand in Japan.
Soy Milk Isoflavone Cream
- Also available in whitening and anti-aging lines
- Highly functional cream under 1,000 yen
- Contains Kyushu-grown soybeans
Soy Milk Isoflavone Cream is a moisturizing cream recommended for those with sensitive or dry skin.
It contains plenty of glycerin and BG as moisturizing ingredients, providing long-lasting hydration.
In tests, users maintained a 77% increase in skin moisture even 4 hours after application, demonstrating its prolonged moisturizing effect.
With no added fragrance and nearly odorless, it is safe for those sensitive to scents.
Its compact size makes it easy to use and carry.
Although it may feel slightly sticky right after application, it quickly turns silky smooth, making it ideal for use before applying makeup.
IHADA Medicated Clear Balm
- Balm-type cream for extremely dry skin
- Best for nighttime use
- Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
IHADA Medicated Clear Balm prevents “dark spots and freckles” by suppressing melanin production and also helps prevent redness, acne, and skin irritation with its medicated formula.
It melts smoothly at body temperature, spreading effortlessly without being sticky, offering a refreshing feel similar to a hydrating beauty cream.
Its light and comfortable texture makes it suitable for year-round use.
It’s safe for sensitive skin, making it a great choice for those concerned about skin problems.
Sorry Skin Goodnight Repair Cream
- Intensive care for your skin while you sleep
- Contains the popular ingredient retinol
- Best to use the night before an important day
Sorry Skin Goodnight Repair Cream is a moisturizing cream that intensively cares for your skin at night, treating dryness and damage from the day.
It spreads smoothly without friction and adheres closely to the skin, leaving it looking as though you’ve had 8 hours of restful sleep.
It visibly reduces fine lines caused by dryness and protects your skin from nighttime dryness and friction, offering excellent repair benefits.
With a low-irritation formula, it is slightly acidic, fragrance-free, colorant-free, alcohol-free, and paraben-free, making it a gentle option for sensitive skin.
Daily use helps maintain soft and hydrated skin.
Conclusion
In this article, I introduced some recommended face creams that I, as a resident of Japan, highly suggest.
Japanese face creams are known for their high functionality and excellent moisturizing capabilities, making them especially recommended for those struggling with dry or irritated skin.
You can find face creams at drugstores starting from around 1,000 yen, making them a great choice for souvenirs as well.
