Drugstore beauty is not what it used to be, with the expansion of more brands joining drugstore aisles, the idea that budget products equate to a lower quality has long been discredited. Drugstore products have shifted to encourage a wider acceptance that affordable prices can be accompanied by high quality. And when it comes to Japanese beauty products, that standard holds just as true.
Having established a fine reputation in stringent quality control and attention to details, big Japanese cosmetic brands like Shiseido and KOSE have been favoured by discerning women for decades. However, aside from the big names that we are familiar with, we now have access to more Japanese beauty brands than ever, as a result of the growing presence of large Japanese stores like Don Don Donki, Tokyu Hands, and Muji.
From pore cleaning brushes to fermented sake sheet masks, we rounded up a list of the best Japanese drugstore beauty products you should have.
From pore cleaning brushes to fermented sake sheet masks, we rounded up a list of the best Japanese drugstore beauty products you should have.
It’s truly the time for makeup wipes to step aside, and for the micellar cleansing trend to take over. Makeup wipes may seem like a fuss-free way to remove makeup, but it definitely doesn’t get the job done as well as a micellar cleansing lotion would.
Our pick is this lightweight and efficient micellar cleansing lotion from Hado Lado that’s formulated with a hardworking blend of hyaluronic acid and amino acids to effectively remove all signs of makeup. Plus, its gentle formula makes it a must-try for sensitive skin.
Some sunscreens can leave a white cast, but this one is packed with iridescent strobe pearl particles that diffuse light to give dull skin a radiant glow. The smooth formula practically glides onto your skin too, making it suitable as a makeup base.
Apart from offering SPF50+ UV protection, the Skin Aqua Tone Up formula is also infused with skin-loving ingredients such as ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich vitamin C that will leave your skin supple, clear and protected against environmental aggressors.
Rather of waiting until the end of a long day to take off your makeup and indulge in a sheet mask, Saborino is giving us a reason to slap one on even before we put on our base makeup. The idea behind this morning sheet mask is that you leave it one for a minute before moving onto your usual makeup routine. It works not only to remove impurities on skin but also as a moisturiser and primer. You don’t have to rinse it off. Just pat the residue into your skin for radiant-looking, smooth complexion.
The sheet mask is formulated with brightening ingredients like orange oil and grapefruit peel oil, as well as deeply hydrating ones like hyaluronic acid and honey.
The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil has a unique water-soluble formula that provides for a thorough cleanse. Amongst the world’s leading cleansers in removing makeup, it also nourishes and hydrates the skin, thanks to its vitamins and antioxidant-packed formula, leaving your skin looking young and radiant.
Made with natural hatomugi (a barley-like grain) extract, this watery lotion that soothes and hydrates skin, is one of the top-rated products on Cosme, Japan’s most well-known and respected beauty awards. Reviewers (on Cosme) praise the lotion for being non-sticky, cheap, and effective at keeping pimples and breakouts at bay.
Replace your daily morning shot of coffee Breath Palette’s mind-boggling range of flavoured toothpaste. Available a white and sleek 25g tube, each toothpaste does not foam as much as the usual ones we use, and the flavours are all made of natural ingredients and extracts. The best part, there are 31 flavours to choose from, including espresso, honey and even Indian Curry, so you can be sure that fresh morning breath will never be the same again.
A 3D multi-functional makeup sponge that is suitable for use for every part of the face, including hard-to-reach areas like the corners of the nose or the eye contours. Free of latex, it is suitable for even sensitive skin and its firm material ensures smooth application of any base products, be it liquid foundation, cream highlighters, or powder blushes. Do remember to wash it regularly: use a mild soap and rinse under running water until the water is clear.
Our feet probably toil more than our faces during the day, which is why it deserves as much TLC as we show our skin. Daiso’s 2-way stone and brush help in exfoliating the dead skin from the soles of your feet while stimulating circulation to restores elasticity to the balls of your feet. After buffing your feet with the stone, simply brush away the debris to reveal softer, smoother skin. For maintenance, remember to moisturise your feet regularly.
Designed for everyday use, this hydrating face mask is soaked in hyaluronic acid and rice ceramide to deliver moisture deep into all skin layers for plumper, suppler skin. It is also made of a special microfibre material that adheres closely to the contours of your face, ensuring maximum contact so your skin soaks up all the goodness in the mask. LuLuLun only uses fragrance-free, artificial coloring-free, mineral oil-free natural ingredients to minimise irritation, especially if you are prone to sensitivity.
Removing excess facial hair has never been easier with this vibrating electric razor. With a frequency of 100 vibrations per minute, this ergonomically designed blade is perfect to eliminating tiny hairs around the brows, above the lips, or around the jawline. It also minimises friction and contact against the skin to minimise any abrasion and redness. You can also use it in the shower as it is water-resistant.
Widely raved amongst skincare junkies all over the world, chances are, you might have seen these cute little cubes in Japanese drug stores. Not only are they super travel-friendly, but this powder cleanser also contains protease, a type of enzymes that eliminates dead skin cells to reveal softer, smoother skin. In addition, it is also made of soy milk, watercress, and licorice root extract to hydrate and brighten the skin. Those who are averse to artificial colourants and fragrances will also be glad to know that the formula is free of these potential irritants.
Widely used in beauty products in Japan, horse oil is a rich source of linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that repairs the skin’s barrier function and improves skin elasticity. Extracted from horses in Hokkaido, horse oil has a similar chemical structure as human skin so it is readily absorbed into the skin rather than form an occlusive layer on top of it. In addition, it is also fortified in placenta extract and pearl barley extract to deliver an intense dose of nutrients and hydration to skin for an instantly brighter and smoother complexion.
Chuck the visible eyelid tapes away and invisibly create your desired double eyelid with KOJI’s glue formula. Promising to last all day long, the application stick does not have any sharp edges that may poke your eyelids — plus points for when you’re touching up your makeup in the back of a taxi. At the end of the day, simply remove eye makeup with your regular eye makeup remover and the glue melts right off.
Banish mid-day shine without smudging your makeup with these handy blotting paper. Made with Japanese paper that consists of linen, it soaks up excess sebum on the skin’s surface and feels soft and smooth. Free of artificial fragrances, it doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive of skin and slides into the tiniest of purses for convenient touch-ups while on the go.
Did you know that as a general rule of thumb, the denser the consistency of a facial foam, the better it cleans our pores? To make the most of your regular cleansing foam, whip it into a luxuriously thick texture with this brush. After spreading the facial foam onto your skin, massage your face in circular motions using this brush to further deep-cleanse pores. The massaging motion also improves circulation for a healthy flush. Made of extra-fine Kanegoto fibres, the bristles of this brush feel gentle against the skin and dries quickly so you never have to worry about bacteria growth.
Formulated with a cocktail of botanical ingredients like olive oil, camellia extract, apricot oil, shea butter, sakura extract, and camomile extract, it instantly drenches parched lips in moisture, leaving behind a high-shine glossy effect. Despite its wet-look finish, the lip balm stays on for hours on end and keeps lips soft and smooth, even when exposed to air-conditioning.
MUJI has always been known for its quality products, from smart storage solutions, comfortable apparel, delicious snacks, and even beauty products. Applying the brand’s pared-down concept to its beauty products, all skincare and makeup products have a simple, minimalist appeal to them. And particularly, its Sensitive Skin Care series.
Our favourite is this moisturising milk, which contains power antioxidant, purslane extract, which strengthens skin against external sources of damage like UV, pollution, and dehydration. The formula is also free of fragrances, artificial colourants, mineral oils, parabens, and alcohol — perfect for use even on children and those on sensitive skin.
When you’ve been out and about under the hot sun all day long, what could be better than an ice-cold drink to instantly cool you down and quench your thirst? Just like that ice-cold drink, this face mask is your skin’s antidote to a hot day, thanks to its instant cooling sensation. Moreover, it is saturated in organic Japanese rice-derived ingredients and fermented sake to replenish skin with much-needed hydration and antioxidants for a healthier, more radiant complexion.
If the sweltering heat is wreaking havoc on your skin, causing sebum levels to skyrocket and in turn, increasing the appearance of your pores, it’s time to step up your pore care routine. Instead of attempting to squeeze out blackheads via a DIY facial, this warming gel softens stubborn comedones and dislodges blackheads so you can just rinse it off to reveal a more refined skin texture with frequent use.
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Text: Elly Chaw, Letty Seah, and Nadine Chua/Her World, Additional reporting: Farisia Thang
