I’m studying abroad in Japan for one year and I arrived like 2 weeks ago in Kyoto specifically. Since I don’t have access to my usual brands of skincare/makeup, I really want to find some affordable options because everytime I go into a store it overwhelms me.
I have combination skin, acne + scarring and I am somewhat olive toned.
If anyone has any good recommendations please let me know!
9 comments
I have combo skin and acne issues, it’s not a Japanese brand but Innisfree is easy to find and a lot of their stuff is very affordable. The green tea face wash and sheet masks saved my life. There’s also a brand that has soy milk (豆乳インフラボン) creams that I like. Lastly, I don’t know if this applies to you, but when I switched to powder foundation instead of liquid/cushion my skin cleared up like crazy.
Toleraine is great, and they have reasonably priced trial sets. I get mine at a local drugstore now, but originally found it in Loft.
It is pricey, but you only need a little tiny bit. My cleanser lasts for two or three months, for example. So gentle & nice. (Effclair Toleraine is a bit too harsh for my skin, but they have those trial sets, so . . . .)
Curel also has a trial set, and so do several other brands.
Would also recommend to check out r/AsianBeauty as plenty of people there list out their recommended Japanese brands.
Personally, I like DHC. And if I’m feeling extra luxurious, Shiseido main brand. Anyway, I believe Shiseido also provide drugstore-level/affordable products that work just as good.
I use Perfect Whip (the original blue one) as cleanser and ロゼット acne clear (also the blue one). Once a week i use the black sugar scrub from Skinfood. All are cheap and widely available.
Has cleared my acne and all its scars!
Edit: i stopped using foundation when covid started and switched to Dr jart’s color correcting cream!
i like canmake for cheek/eye products
Red Cow soap is the best
Don’t forget sunscreen! For my combo skin biore rich watery essence is the.bomb
If you’re going for any brand that’s a bit more mid tier then I highly recommend purchasing it online. I find store prices to mark up products ¥500+ sometimes even as bad as ¥2000+
(The things I’ll be recommending cost between ¥2000-¥4500 just two products though! Hear me out! 🤭)
I cannot recommend Japanese skincare as I swear by my current routine as my skin is extremely fickle 🥺 but thankfully the products I use, I have been continuously restocking as they sell them in stores/online! 🤗
For cleanser I recommend John Masters purifying cleanser.
https://www.johnmasters-select.jp/collections/skincare-cleanser/products/jmp3059
¥4400 seems a little steep but it’s a wonderful gentle oil cleanser that isn’t thick and doesn’t require a double cleanse and lasts for MONTHS!
I have mine ordered on a 90 day subscription (the longest gap between shipments) and I always still have more than enough left in the first bottle for atleast another month!
You also don’t have to put it in a subscription ofc! They have one off purchase option 🙂
They also do lotions and what not but I have yet to try those as I swear by La Rouch Possay.
You can get this brand from Lofts and other large pharmacies but the price jack up is insane!
Their 40ml bottle cost roughly ¥2400 when the 100ml bottles online cost ¥2300-¥2500 😵💫
https://www.perfumesclub.jp/ja/la-roche-posay/cicaplast-baume-b5-ultra-reparateur-apaisant/p_787581/
The products I recommend have no frills! No perfume etc and are very gentle and hydrating for your skin barrier ☺️
the initial cost isn’t super cheap but it’s a decent investment due to the size and quality!
Good luck on your hunt!
Fancyl and muji fixed my skin