Japan is infested with drugstores, and for good reason. You may already know that you can buy your medicine at these stores, but did you know you can buy beauty products, too? Japanese drugstores are widely and heavily frequented for their huge selection of all kinds of items and affordable prices. In fact, they are the first place many check for medicines, cosmetics, and other beauty products. With that said, here are 20 recommended beauty products sorted into their relative categories.
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Starting off with face wash products.
1. Rosette Face Washing Paste (ロゼット洗顔パスタ)
Rosette Face Washing Paste is a long-selling product, made in 1929. I especially recommend the round types, which are the ones on the left in the image shown above, that come in 3 series: for normal skin, for rough skin, and makeup remover. They include sulfur in their ingredients, which prevents and treats acne. Also comes in tubes. Official site in Japanese here.
2. Uruochisui Cleansing Eye Makeup Remover (うる落ち水アイメイクアップリムーバー)
You have your waterproof mascara, eye makeup primer, heavy glitter eyeshadow, and at the end of the day, you struggle because it just won’t come off. That won’t be the case with Uruochisui Cleansing Eye Makeup Remover. Even though it doesn’t include oil, gently press your eyes to a cotton piece soaked with the product, and you will see your bare skin again. It also includes moisturizing ingredients which will treat your overused eye areas.
Official site in English here.
3. Perfect Whip
Perfect Whip is a facial cleanser. You don’t just apply the paste directly to your skin, you need to whip it up until it’s like heavy whipped cream. This way, you can gently wash your skin and protect it from unnecessary damage. It may be hard work whipping up the cream, so I advise you to buy a face washing net as well. Official site in Japanese here.
Next, facial care products.
4. Skin Conditioner (Hatomugi Toner) (スキンコンディショナー【ハトムギ化粧水】)
Finding the perfect skin toner for your skin type may be a hassle. It was for me, until I found this Skin Conditioner (Hatomugi Toner). Hatomugi is pearl barley, and the fruit is used for medical purposes. This skin conditioner is cheap, but effective. I don’t worry myself over acne anymore after this product. Official site in Japanese here.
5. Rosette Goma-jyu (ロゼットゴマージュ)
Those blackheads and whiteheads on the tip and crease of your nose won’t go anywhere, and it’s killing you. Try out Rosette Goma-jyu. With the power of fruit acids, it removes old cuticles, white and black heads, and makes your skin squeaky clean. Official site in Japanese here.
6. Silcot Uru Uru Sponge Tailored (シルコットうるうるスポンジ仕立て)
Regarding the means of using skin toner, some people say hand pressing is the best, whilst others say that using cotton pads are best. I prefer hands, but this product is a savior for those who prefer cotton pads. Silcot Uru Uru Sponge Tailored’s cotton pieces feel more like sponge than cotton, as it does say in its name. It soaks up more liquid compared to usual cotton pads, so it’s economical and good for your skin. Also, you can peel the cotton pad into half easily, and instantly make a skin pack! Official site in Japanese here.
Moving on to facial cosmetics goods.
7. Shiseido Eye Lash Curler (資生堂アイラッシュカーラー)
Yes, it’s the famous and reliable Shiseido. Most drug stores don’t have Shiseido cosmetics since it’s a high end brand, but regarding goods like eyelash curlers, they do place them in a corner. This eye lash curler is firm and well built, and can be used for a long time. Official site in Japanese here.
8. Shiseido Powder Puff (資生堂パウダーパフ)
Yes, this is another product from Shiseido. When you buy powders from various brands, they usually contain a slim and small powder puff. These are good for using for 1 or 2 times. The surface of these puffs are smooth like silk, and they help thoroughly blend the powder onto your skin. Official site in Japanese here.
9. Shiseido Sponge
Shiseido offers 8 types of sponges. 4 for powdery foundation in the shape of a square (right in the image above); a circle, for both powdery foundation and finishing powder, and for artistic touches. Another 4 for liquid foundation: silky touch (left in the image above), for coverage, for hard liquid foundation, and for artistic touches. It also comes with its cleanser. Official site in Japanese here.
Coming up, deodorant.
10. Deonatulle Soft Stone W (デオナチュレソフトストーンＷ)
Deonatulle Soft Stone W is a stick type deodorant, where you apply the product directly to the armpits. For hours, the armpit will stay dry and odorless! It is a bit pricey compared to other deodorants, but worth your money. Also comes in a tube. Official site in Japanese here.
11. Ag+ Deodorant
Ag+ Deodorant is a powder type deodorant, and comes in 5 scents: fresh soap, floral bouquet, sweet blend, verbena citrus, and baby powder. With the power of the aluminum solution, it suppresses sweat, doesn’t let the sweat drip, or leave white residue. Other products include foot spray, cool menthol spray, sheet type, and stick type. Made by Shiseido. Official site in Japanese here.
Runner up, body care products.
12. Yakutou Karada Meguri Yoku (薬湯カラダめぐり浴)
Yakutou means hot water that has medicinal effects, such as in hot springs. This product has 10 different types of herbal ingredients that increases the hot water effect and keeps your body warm even after leaving the bath tub. Using this product is easy: put a small amount of the product in a bathtub full of hot water. Official site in Japanese here.
13. Yomogi Onza Pad (よもぎ温座パッド)
Yomogi is mugwort. In Japan, yomogi is mainly used for eating purposes, such as mixing it into rice cakes, which is called yomogi mochi (よもぎもち). Here in the Yomogi Onza Pad, yomogi is used in the ingredients of a heating pad. The pad is shaped like a panty liner, and you can stick it to your underwear, and warm that area. Official site in Japanese here.
14. Oh! Baby Body Smoother (Oh! Baby ボディスムーザー)
Oh! Baby Body Smoother is a massage paste that will leave your body smooth like a baby. It includes minerals from hot springs. The aftermath will be more effective if you use it after a shower or a bath. Official site in Japanese here.
15. Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel SPF 50 (ニベアサンプロテクトウォータージェルＳＰＦ５０)
Japan is especially sensitive when it comes to sunblock, since white spotless skin is considered beautiful. Therefore, there is a lot of sunblock sold in that respective corner of the drugstore. This is my personal opinion, but the Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel SPF 50 is probably the best when it comes to daily use. The texture is light and doesn’t stick to your skin unnecessarily. Official site in Japanese here.
16. Medicinal Solid Powder (薬用固形パウダー)
A while ago, baby powder was hugely popular in Japan. People found out they could use it as a finishing powder and it was good for their skin. Johnson’s baby powder was popular too, but Medicinal Solid Powder was fit for the purpose of a finishing powder since it didn’t have a distinctive scent. Official site in Japanese here.
17. Milk Soap (牛乳石鹸)
One bar of Milk Soap is 108 yen, which is very cheap. But it’s the best soap out there for me. My skin doesn’t dry after washing, the scent is just heavenly, and the price is great for everyday use. They have 2 different scents: red for rose, and blue for jasmine. Official site in English here.
Finally, introducing the oils.
18. Ooshima Camellia (大島椿)
Ooshima is an island located in the Izumi seven islands of the Tokyo Prefecture. It is famous for its camellia flowers. Ooshima Camellia is 100% camellia oil which can be used for hair and the scalp. It is effective for hair ends, and leaves your hair shiny and luxurious. Official site in Japanese here.
19. Hakka Oil (ハッカ油)
Hakka is mint. Hakka oil can be used for many purposes: put a few drops in your bath, shampoo, or body wash for a refreshing touch. Spray it to your pillow and bed sheets for the hot summer nights. Put the oil diluted with water on q-tips, and clean your ears with coolness. This oil will come in handy in the humid Japanese summer! Official site in Japanese here.
20. Sonba Oil (尊馬油)
From the name Sonba, which means to respect your horse, Sonba Oil is oil extracted from the horse. It can be used for the face, hair and body. Sonba Oil increases the natural moisturizing force of the skin, so it boosts the effect of your everyday skin care routine. Official site in Japanese here.
Header credit: Milkovasa/Shutterstock.com
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
