The Wonders of Japanese Skincare

Japanese skincare products have a reputation for being gentle, effective, and somehow just different. If you're curious about what makes Japanese skincare products unique and why they might be worth trying, read on.

We'll explore what makes Japanese skincare products different, some of the most popular Japanese beauty products in the United States, and where to buy them.

What makes Japanese skincare products different?

One word: ingredients. Japan has very different standards when it comes to what can and cannot be included in beauty products.

For example, the U.S. allows for small amounts of lead in lipstick whereas Japan does not allow any lead in their products.

Furthermore, animal testing is still allowed for cosmetics in China but not in Japan. So, if you're looking for beauty products that are cruelty-free and have high-quality ingredients, Japanese skincare is definitely worth considering.

Are they as good as skincare products made in the U.S.?

This is a difficult question to answer because "good" is subjective. However, we can look at some objective measures to try to come to a conclusion.

For example, according toConsumer Reports, Japan had the second-highest number of top-rated sunscreen lotions out of all the countries they evaluated while the United States did not have any sunscreens that made their list of top-rated sunscreens.

So, while there are certainly some great American skincare brands, it seems that Japanese skincare brands tend to outperform their American counterparts when it comes to sunscreen (at least according to Consumer Reports).

What are the most popular Japanese beauty products in the United States?

Some of the most popular Japanese beauty products in the United States include Tatcha's The Dewy Skin Cream, SK-II Facial Essence and Shiseido's Fitit Perfect Whip Cleansing Foam. Other popular Japanese skincare brands include DHC, Boscia and Kose.

Where do you buy Japanese skincare products?

You can find many of these brands at your local Sephora or Ulta, on Amazon or you can even buy directly from the websites of  Shiseido, Kiehl's, DHC, or SK-II.

If you're interested in trying out some higher-quality, cruelty-free skincare products, then consider looking into Japanese skincare brands.

In general, these brands use better ingredients than American skincare brands and they tend to be more expensive but many people feel that they're worth the extra money.

Tap the button below for our list of the best Japanese moisturizers as voted by customer reviews.