Summer is a wonderful time to immerse yourself with all the amazing cultural events that Japan has to offer. But, all that outdoor summer fun can seriously damage your skin if you’re not careful. For the latest installment in The Beauty Files, I’m introducing the 7 Best Skincare Products for Summer in Japan.
This post is written in partnership with Tokyo Challenge who kindly sponsored my #TokyoChallenge shopping excursion in preparation for the article 7 Tips & Tricks for Surviving Summer in Japan.
7 Best Skincare Products For Summer in Japan
To complete my #TokyoChallenge, I headed straight to Don Quijote. It’s Japan’s largest discount retailer, with many branches open 24 hours a day.
Whatever you need for your Japanese home, you’ll find it there: clothing, toiletries, bedding and furniture, appliances and gadgets, food, drinks and more! Don Quijote is also an excellent place to shop for skincare products in Japan. They stock popular brands for less than the suggested retail price.
When it comes to summer skincare, you’ll want to take it easy.
Start with a quality cleanser, use hydrating yet lightweight products that won’t feel heavy on your face, and incorporate a vitamin C toner or serum into your skincare regime.
Here are the 7 skincare products that ended up in my shopping basket:
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1 Kokuryudou Hipitch Deep Cleansing Oil
A good cleanser is perhaps the most important product to have in your skincare routine. Cleansers remove impurities the surface of the skin and clear blocked pores. In the process, they also prepare your skin for the next steps in your skincare routine.
But with so many products on the market (many of which are amber-hued oils In transparent pump dispenser bottles) it can be hard to find a decent product. Hipitch Deep Cleansing Oil is a gentle cleanser that uses orange oil and eucalyptus oil to remove makeup and sunscreen without stripping away your natural oils.
I love this product so much that I’ve featured it on my list of Top Japanese Cleansing Oils!
2. Meishoku DET Clear Facial Peeling Jelly
You’ll want to add an exfoliant to your skincare regime in order to get rid of dead skin cells that can dim your natural glow. One such J-beauty product that I’ve been using for years is Meishoku DET Clear Facial Peeling Jelly.
Meishoku DET Clear Facial Peeling Jelly uses a combination of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) and fruit enzymes to brighten and even out the skin’s surface. I use this 2-3 a week on my face, neck, and chest, while in the shower, and on my elbows and knees too.
3. Rohto Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Premium Essence
Sun exposure leads to the formation of sun spots, which are caused when skin cells produce melanin. To reduce the appearance of these sun spots (and other blemishes), you’ll need a quality Vitamin C-based serum like Rohto Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Premium Essence. This version is essentially a power upgrade of Rohto’s best-selling serum, but there’s only a difference of a few hundred yen.
Rohto Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Premium Essence uses 3 kinds of Vitamin C derivatives. It also has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory ingredients, so it can also be used when you have a breakout. As a whitening product, it won’t drastically alter your skin color, but it will brighten your skin tone.
4. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
The aloe vera plant is native to North Africa/Mediterranean Europeand grows in tropical climates all over the word. The gel, which comes from inside the plants, is a must-have for the summer months as it naturally has cooling and soothing properties.
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel is a multi-use product that’s priced under 1,000 yen (though I got it for nearly half that at Don Quijote!). It contains California CCOF-certified organic aloe vera.
Use it as a hydrating night gel or apply over your body after taking a bath or shower to give yourself some relief on humid nighs. You can also use aloe vera gel to relieve the pain from sunburn. (Be sure to check with a medical professional in case of severe burns!)
TIP: Aloe vera is also useful to have on to relieve the pain, swelling, and itching caused by insect bites!
5 BCL Saborino UV Cool Spray (SPF50+ PA++++)
You know how dermatologists, skincare experts, and beauty gurus are always telling you about the importance of SPF and to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day? Well, now you no longer have an excuse!
BCL Saborino UV Cool Spray is SPF50+ PA++++, which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. It has a watery texture with cooling properties, making a great choice for outdoor activities. I used to keep a can of this in my desk so I’d be ready to take my students outside or be on guard duty during school pool time.
6 Hadabisei 3D Mask (Cool)
Hadabisei is known for its line of 3D masks, which are not flat like traditional masks. Rather, the forehead and chin “stick out” and there’s a portion of the mask that extends onto the neck, creating a 3D effect. 3D masks are created to fit the contours of the face, and they’re common with “aging care” masks to treat fine lines and wrinkles on the neck. (Japanese socialite & TV personality Dewi Sukarno swears by them!)
The cool version of Hadabisei skincare masks just came out this year and are a seasonal product. It uses the power of citrus and menthol to invigorate the senses and create a cooling sensation. Other ingredients include hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin and coix seed/Job’s Tears as a calming agent.
7. BCL Saborino Botanical Morning Sheet Masks
I am once again asking for you to give Japanese morning sheet masks a try, specifically BCL Saborino Morning Sheet Masks. What I like about these sheet masks are these 3 points:
- You only need to apply it to your face for 60 seconds and your morning skincare is all done, from cleansing to priming. This eliminates the amount of product on your face which would otherwise have your face feeling heavy on hot humid days.
- They come in a sturdy resalable container that reduces waste and doesn’t take up too much space;
- They come in a fantastic variety of “flavors!”
I was partial to the Kiwi Yogurt version, but “this” botanical version has grown on me. It uses 3 organic herbs (coix seed/Job’s Tears, rosemary, and chamomile), and it has a refreshing citrus scent that is much milder than other Saborino sheet masks.
7 Best Skincare Products For Summer in Japan
Are you ready for summer? Check out my article for Tokyo Challenge, 7 Tips & Tricks for Surviving Summer in Japan, on how to “summer-proof” your Japanese home.
More posts on summer in Japan and summer skincare:
50 Must-Haves For Summer in Japan
The Importance of Summer Skincare
7 Japanese Sunscreens To Try This Summer
Summer K-Beauty Skincare Essentials With YesStyle
5 Delicious Ways To Stay Cool In Japan This Summer
Get Glowing Skin This Summer — 10 Japanese Skincare Products To Try
My 8 Summer Skincare Essentials For 2021
7 Best Skincare Products For Summer in Japan
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