Best Japanese Moisturizer: For the Perfect Hydration
Trying to find a good moisturizer that will neither leave your skin too dry nor too greasy?
Hydrating your skin is essential to getting the most out of your skincare routine, and using specific moisturizers for your skin's needs is a key part of this process. Your goal should be finding one that nourishes without stripping away natural oils.
Luckily, there are now tons of options on the market for everyone to try until they find something they love. Keep reading to find out the Best Japanese Moisturizer for your skin’s current mood!
What Are Moisturizers?
Face moisturizers are emollient-based lotions, creams, ointments or balms that help keep skin hydrated. By sealing in moisture and nutrients while protecting the skin from environmental aggressors, face moisturizers provide a variety of benefits to the user.
This skincare product is recommended for all skin types and comes in a variety of forms to suit each or multiple skin types. From oily skin specifically, it is recommended to stick to lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas and avoid pore-clogging ingredients, occlusives, and synthetic fragrances.
How Do You Use It
Cleanse your face and make sure there's moisture on your skin so the moisturizer can lock it in. Warm up a small amount of the product in your hands and gently rub the product onto the face.
How To Make the Most Of This Article
We all have our own skincare goals and we want to help you reach yours. Before you dive into the reviews, take a minute to jot down what your top 2 to 3 concerns are that you hope to solve with this product.
Throughout the reviews, we have highlighted key features to help you browse through with ease till you spot your perfectly safe go-to japanese moisturizer.
Best for Dry and Sensitive Skin: Curel Japanese Skin Care Intensive Face Moisturizer Cream
Why We Are Passionate About It
Specifically designed for parched, sensitive skin, this creamy concoction intensely hydrates and comforts your skin. It absorbs immediately and leaves a healthy glow that promises age-defying results. This award-winning cream helps fill the ceramide reservoir while also improving your natural barrier function. Soothing hydration protects skin from dryness or any external stimuli it may face daily.
Reviews
Users love this product for the lightweight, moisturizing, radiant, soft, smoothening, and soothing feeling on the skin. With no adverse reactions or irritation experienced, those with eczema, dry and sensitive skin enjoy this product too. Bonus, the product is said to not clog pores.
What's in It & How is it Made
Ingredients used include water/aqua, glycerin, cetyl-PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide, cyclopentasiloxane, and squalane.
This formula is created pH balanced, fragrance-free, colorant-free, and alcohol-free.
Best for Anti-Aging: DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel
Why We Are Passionate About It
DHC's lightweight facial moisturizer is a powerful one-step solution to tone, hydrate, and brighten your skin. It contains astaxanthin, which is a natural antioxidant that helps to protect against free radicals and environmental stressors.
This concoction includes a derivative of hyaluronic acid, royal jelly, and hydrolyzed collagen to protect, hydrate, and revitalize skin’s natural moisture barrier while keeping it soft and supple.
It is good for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this weightless, non-greasy gel formula protects the skin from signs of aging visually – such as fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and while promoting skin elasticity.
Reviews
This product has been met with rave reviews, especially from those individuals with acne-prone, dry and sensitive skin. Not only does it plump the skin and provide much-needed moisture, but users have also commented on its ability to help fade scars and reduce blemishes. Regardless, if you suffer from any allergies or sensitivities though, do perform a patch test before using this product.
What's in It & How is it Made
Ingredients used include astaxanthin, squalane, hydrolyzed collagen, and sodium hyaluronate.
This product is fragrance and colorant-free.
Best for Hydrating: Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
Why We Are Passionate About It
This 24-hour lightweight gel cream is perfect for all skin types. Its high concentration of Super Hyaluronic Acid helps to plump fine lines and wrinkles, while collagen helps to improve the skin's texture, structure and appearance. The result is hydrated, cushiony soft skin with a youthful bounce.
Reviews
Reviews have shown that people with a wide range of skin types such as acne-prone, oily and sensitive love this product for its ability to provide soft and hydrated skin. People with dermatitis or rosacea have also seen positive results from using it - plus there's the added bonus that you won't get bumps under your skin or any uneven texture!
What's in It & How is it Made
Ingredients used include super hyaluronic acid, collagen, arginine, and ceramide.
This product is non-comedogenic and free from fragrance, parabens, dyes, and mineral oil.
Best Hypoallergenic and Healing: Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel
Why We Are Passionate About It
This refreshing, cooling gel quickly absorbs into your skin for a non-greasy finish. The lightweight formula liquifies on contact and provides a fresh feeling that never feels sticky. A protective film of water forms on the surface of your skin to keep it continuously hydrated and preserve its moisture. This product can be used as a face moisturizer or body lotion and is gentle enough for everyday use.
Reviews
This product is the perfect solution for those with oily skin, as its easy-to-use formula performs even in the hottest weather. It's hypoallergenic too, so people with sensitive skin can feel safe using it. Furthermore, this gel can be combined with other skincare products and moisturizers to create a comprehensive routine for your ideal results.
What's in It & How is it Made
Ingredients used include water, glycerin, DPG, dimethicone, ascorbyl tetrahexyldecanoate, Na tocopheryl phosphate, and honeybee extract.
This product is fragrance-free, uncolored, hypoallergenic, and alcohol-free.
Best Lightweight Cream: MUJI - Moisturizing Milk [Sensitive Care]
Why We Are Passionate About It
This lightweight moisturizing milk is perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive. It's allergy-tested and free from common irritants, made with only pure soft alkaline water. Use it after applying toning water to add an extra boost of hydration to your skin. Though this product is called a milk moisturizer, its consistency is similar to that if a thin lotion.
Reviews
This product is a great choice for those with both oily and dry skin as reviews demonstrate. You can apply whatever amount you need to achieve the desired level of hydration, making it an ideal layer-able option. On the other hand, if you have acne-prone skin then this may not be suitable for you.
What's in It & How is it Made
Ingredients used include water, olive fruit oil, DPG, glycerin, PEG-32, ethylhexyl palmitate, and pentylene glycol.
This product was formulated without synthetic fragrance added, coloring, mineral oil, weakly acidic, parabens, and alcohol.
Bonus: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
Though not cracking our top 5, the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is still worth mentioning. It's a face and body moisturizer known for anti-aging, non-comedogenic, healing, soothing and hydrating properties that's also vegan, artificial fragrance-free and cruelty-free. Reviews compliment this moisturizer's healing power showing to soothe people who suffer from eczema.
Moisturizer FAQs
Many people are unsure about what ingredients to look for in a moisturizer, or how to use one.
Most people don't know that the wrong moisturizer can actually make their skin concerns worse.
We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about moisturizers below. This will help you choose the right product for your needs, and show you how to use it for best results.
Why is Japanese skincare so good?
The Japanese have always been known for their impeccable sense of detail, and this is evident in the way they approach skincare. Unlike many other countries, where harsh chemicals are often used in skincare products, the Japanese believe in using natural ingredients that have been proven to be effective over time.
This focus on quality and efficacy has resulted in a range of beautifully packaged and effective skincare products that are beloved by people all over the world.
Should I moisturize my face everyday?
Yes, you should moisturize your face every day.
Daily moisturizing is an important part of a skincare routine for many reasons. First, it helps keep skin hydrated, which can improve skin's appearance and reduce the risk of wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Second, moisturizers help protect skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can damage skin and lead to premature aging. And finally, daily moisturizing can help keep your skin healthy by providing it with essential nutrients and antioxidants.
What happens if you don’t moisturize?
Without moisturizing, the outer layer of skin can become dry, cracked, and irritated. Over time, this can lead to a weakened barrier against infection and other potential irritants. Additionally, dry skin is less elastic and more prone to wrinkling.
When should I moisturize?
It's best to moisturize after you shower, while your skin is still damp. That's when your pores are open and receptive to receiving the moisturizer.
Do I need both serum and moisturizer?
Serum and moisturizer are both essential for keeping the skin healthy. Serum and moisturizer are two different types of skin care products that can be used together or separately, depending on your skin type and needs.
Serum is a lightweight product that is applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. It typically contains a high concentration of active ingredients, such as antioxidants, peptides, and retinol, which are designed to penetrate deep into the skin and address specific concerns such as wrinkles, age spots, or dryness.
Moisturizer is a thicker product that is applied after serum and before makeup. It locks in all that goodness from the serum, while hydrating and protecting the skin from further damage.
How can I seriously moisturize my face?
There are a few things to keep in mind when trying to moisturize your face.
First, you should make sure to use a moisturizer that's specifically designed for your skin type. If you have dry skin, for example, you'll want to use a moisturizer that's rich in emollients and humectants.
Second, you should make sure to apply the moisturizer evenly across your face. A good way to do this is to use your fingers or a damp washcloth. And finally, you should make sure to re-apply the moisturizer whenever it starts to feel dry.
Is face cream or moisturizer better?
It depends on your skin type.
If you have oily skin, then a moisturizer is better because it will help to control the oil. If you have dry skin, then a face cream is better because it will add moisture to your skin.
There are also different types of moisturizers and face creams for different needs. For example, there are moisturizers that contain SPF for sun protection, or moisturizers that are designed for use after laser surgery. So it's important to figure out what type of skin you have and what type of moisturizer or face cream would be best for you.
Does moisturizer work immediately?
It depends on the moisturizer. Some work almost immediately, while others may take a few applications for full effectiveness. Regardless, using it consistently for a few weeks is recommended for the best results.
The best way to tell if a moisturizer is working is to look at your skin. If it feels hydrated and looks smoother, then the moisturizer is doing its job. However, keep in mind that not everyone's skin responds the same way to every moisturizer, so it may take some trial and error before you find the right one for you.
How should your face feel after moisturizer?
After moisturizer, your face should feel refreshed and hydrated. You should not be able to really tell it is there. If you experience any excessive peeling, redness, or burning after using a moisturizer, it's likely that the product is not compatible with your skin type and you should discontinue use. Consult a dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns about the best moisturizer for your skin type.
Does moisturizer make skin glow?
Yes, moisturizer can make skin glow, especially right after application, by restoring hydration and improving the appearance of skin tone.
Moisturizer works by trapping water in the top layer of skin cells. When skin is hydrated, it looks radiant and appears to have a healthy glow. In addition, moisturizers that contain ingredients like vitamin C or retinol can help improve the appearance of skin tone, making skin look brighter and more evenly toned.
Best Japanese Moisturizers - What We Recommend
Now that you know more about Japanese moisturizers in the market, it’s time to decide on which one is right for you. Be sure to check out our picks. We’ve included some of the best products available and we are confident that you will find one that meets your needs.
How We Curated Our List
There are many options on the market with many different ingredients from amino acids to hyaluronic acids and everything in between. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what product is best for you, especially if you're just starting you skincare journey or have super sensitive skin that doesn't allow you to test just any product.
We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of high-quality products that will fit both your budget and your needs. Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.
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