Hello, I’m Koma, a resident of Japan.
Japanese toners are known for their gentle formulations, making them a reliable and safe option for all skin types.
When visiting Japan, they are one of the must-buy items to take home.
You might be wondering, “If I’m going to buy one, I’d like to know which ones are truly recommended by Japanese locals, right?”
In this article, I’ll introduce a carefully selected list of highly functional toners that I, as a resident of Japan, recommend purchasing when you visit.
From affordable options you can find at drugstores to luxurious choices available at department stores, I’ve got you covered, so be sure to check them out!
Where to Buy Japanese Toners?
If You’re Looking for Souvenirs or Affordable Options: Drugstores
- Matsumotokiyosh
- welcia
- Tsuruha Drug
- Sugi Pharmacy
For tourists, Japanese drugstores are the perfect place to find toners with a wide selection and affordable prices.
From budget-friendly low-cost options to luxury toners, drugstores offer a convenient and accessible way to purchase a variety of products.
They carry many high-quality products at reasonable prices, and they also offer tax-free options.
Large chain stores often have labels in English and Chinese, making it easy to shop, and the large number of stores ensures you can stop by easily while traveling.
If You Want Premium Quality and Effectiveness: Department Stores
If you’re seeking premium quality or highly effective products, it’s best to shop at Japanese department stores.
They carry well-known luxury brands, popular among international tourists, and offer personalized consultations with professional staff.
You can find the perfect toner for your skin type and even try the product for free to experience its texture and feel.
The tax-free counters also make it easy to shop with satisfaction.
Locals’ Top Picks! Must-Buy Toners for Tourists
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium / Shirojyun Premium
- Excellent value for money
- Contains 7 types of hyaluronic acid
- Provides excellent hydration
The “Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium / Shirojyun Premium” line offers affordable toners that provide a serum-like level of moisture and boost skin clarity.
Shirojyun Premium is great for whitening and hydration, while Gokujyun Premium focuses on deep hydration, making it easy to choose based on your skin concerns.
Especially the Shirojyun Premium, which includes tranexamic acid and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, is popular for its whitening and anti-inflammatory properties.
And the price? You can find it for less than 1,000 yen, making it an amazing deal! It’s also fragrance-free, colorant-free, and paraben-free, perfect for sensitive skin.
Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
- Large size, perfect for full-body use
- Can be used generously
- Prevents skin irritation
Naturie’s “Hatomugi Skin Conditioner” is a budget-friendly toner priced around 600 yen, offering a large volume that’s perfect for daily use.
Formulated with natural moisturizing ingredient hatomugi (Job’s tears) extract, it helps keep your skin hydrated and protected from dryness. Its lightweight texture allows for layering without feeling sticky.
Not just for your face, you can also use it on your body, making it a versatile option for the whole family. It’s fragrance-free, colorant-free, and alcohol-free, so even those with sensitive skin can use it safely.
Sofina iP
- Base serum
- Serum penetrates deep into the stratum corneum
- Improves skin condition
Sofina iP is a skincare brand developed with cutting-edge dermatological science, focusing on strengthening the skin’s foundation. The “Base Care Serum” is particularly popular for its carbonation foam, which is 20 times smaller than pores, allowing it to deeply penetrate the skin for thorough hydration.
Its unique foam helps to boost circulation and improve skin conditions, making it an ideal first step in your skincare routine to enhance the effectiveness of subsequent products.
Albion Skin Conditioner
- Quasi-drug (Medicated)
- Effective for acne and skin irritation
- Recommended for use as a cotton pack
Albion’s Skin Conditioner, or “SkinCon,” is a toner with a history of over 50 years, making it a long-standing favorite. It’s formulated with hatomugi extract, which helps to balance and soothe the skin, preventing acne and irritation.
The newly added hatomugi oil enhances hydration and improves the skin’s texture. Despite its lightweight feel, it delivers deep hydration and provides a refreshing sensation, which contributes to its ongoing popularity.
Aqua Label
- Popular Shiseido brand
- Offers whitening and anti-aging care series
- Conveniently available at drugstores
Aqua Label, a skincare brand by Shiseido, focuses on preventing dark spots and dryness. The brightening series includes 4MSK, an ingredient that inhibits melanin production to prevent dark spots and freckles, while CICA helps soothe the skin.
The anti-aging series contains moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide and palmitic acid retinol, which provide elasticity and radiance to the skin. With its luxurious textures and scents, Aqua Label products make you feel like you’re enjoying a spa treatment at home.
Soy Milk Isoflavone
- Choose from hydration, whitening, anti-aging, or firmness options
- Formulated with Kyushu-grown soybeans for a gentle formula
- Perfect for sensitive or reactive skin
Nameraka Honpo’s “Soy Milk Isoflavone” toner features a unique soybean-derived fermented liquid, made from Kyushu-grown Fukuyutaka soybeans, providing intense hydration while leaving your skin soft and smooth.
This ingredient is particularly rich in isoflavones, which enhance skin health by improving moisture retention and preventing dryness-related issues. With its fragrance-free, colorant-free, and mineral oil-free formulation, it’s perfect for sensitive skin.
Melano CC
- A viral hit series on social media
- Affordable despite containing vitamin C derivatives
- Improves pores and acne
Melano CC, by Rohto Pharmaceutical, offers a range of products designed to prevent dark spots and freckles. It contains pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin C derivatives, which suppress melanin production and help prevent hyperpigmentation.
With anti-inflammatory ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate, it also addresses acne and skin irritation. The line includes a variety of products, from serums to lotions and gels, making it easy to incorporate into your daily skincare routine for a bright, even complexion.
ELIXIR
- Winner of 28 Best Cosmetic Awards in Japan
- Affordable anti-aging brand
- Recommended for anti-aging care from your 30s
Elixir, Shiseido’s anti-aging brand, is known for its products that support skin firmness and hydration. With over 40 years of research in collagen science, Elixir addresses skin concerns related to loss of elasticity and dryness.
The lotions and emulsions contain carefully selected ingredients like M-Bouncer CP, which deeply penetrate the skin to provide rich moisture and support skin resilience. The brand also offers eco-friendly packaging with refill options for sustainability.
Keshimin Wrinkle Care Plus
- Quasi-drug (Medicated)
- Ideal for those concerned about dark spots and wrinkles
- No.1 in whitening cream sales
Keshimin Wrinkle Care Plus by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is a dual-action skincare line designed to target both dark spots and wrinkles. It contains active ingredients like tranexamic acid and niacinamide, offering a two-pronged approach to addressing hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
Tranexamic acid suppresses melanin production, while niacinamide prevents its transfer, and it also stimulates collagen production, helping to smooth wrinkles. This makes it an ideal product for those looking for an efficient solution to both skin concerns in one product.
Ihada
- Quasi-drug (Medicated) with enhanced barrier function
- Highly moisturizing
- Also available in a whitening line series
Ihada is a skincare brand developed to prevent skin issues like irritation and dryness. Utilizing Shiseido’s technology, its products are designed with a low-irritation formula, making them safe for sensitive skin and even children.
The toner includes highly purified petrolatum to protect the skin’s moisture barrier, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin and dipotassium glycyrrhizate help prevent acne and irritation. With its weak-acidic, fragrance-free, colorant-free, and alcohol-free formula, it’s a reliable choice for daily use.
Conclusion
In this article, I introduced some of the must-buy toners when visiting Japan.
Japanese skincare is known for its affordable yet highly functional products, and it’s best to choose based on your specific skin concerns.
Recently, the quality of drugstore products has greatly improved, so be sure to check them out when visiting Japan.
By the way, Don Quijote is also highly recommended for its wide selection and great prices!