ELLE Editors and Experts Love These Japanese Skin Care Products (2024)

“Japanese cleansing oils and balms are beautifully formulated to not only melt off makeup and moisturize skin, but also preserve the pH balance and help breakdown keratolytic plugs that lead to enlarged pores, blackheads, acne, and irritations,” says O’Connor. Plus, it’s high in antioxidants to protect the skin against skin of aging.

Key ingredients: Vitamin E, rosemary leaf oil, olive oil fruit

Skin type: All

Size: 6.7 oz.

Our expert says: “DHC is known for its high-quality cleansing oil, which effectively removes makeup and impurities within pores without leaving a greasy residue behind,” he notes. “It’s a staple first step in the double-cleansing method.” —Ian Michael Crumm, celebrity esthetician

I’ve tried dozens upon dozens of cleansers, only to find they either leave me feeling tight and dry or don’t thoroughly cleanse my easily congested pores. But DamDam’s exfoliating cleanser has been a total game-changer for me.

Key ingredients: Konnyaku, phytic acid, tea tree oilS

kin type: All

Size: 5.3 oz.

An ELLE expert says: “Exfoliation doesn’t normally have a place in Japanese skin care—any harsh exfoliant or chemical is a big no-no—so we were looking to create something that allowed for dead skin removal while being extremely gentle. We turned to Japanese Konnyaku, a fiber-rich, highly-absorbent tuber plant that we eat in detoxifying diets, as our key ingredient for this product. It acts as a physical exfoliant, with the gentlest of granules that melt into the skin, bringing with it its absorption power. The result is super-smooth skin that feels hydrated and plump to the touch. It does the double duty of gently cleansing and serving as your first layer of hydration. It is my personal favorite, too!”—Giselle Go

Looking for an elixir that’s like botox in a bottle? This J-beauty serum and ELLE Future of Beauty 2022 award winner will also be right up your alley, as it’s been clinically shown to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase skin elasticity in just two weeks.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red clover extract, cinnamon extract

Skin type: Dry, aging

Size: 1 oz.

An ELLE editor says: “This dual serum is cleverly formulated. One bottle holds a liquid shrunken hyaluronic acid to more easily penetrate the skin. The other holds an ‘expansion serum,’ which works to further hydrate and plump. I found that either way, if I used both bottles or just one, my skin felt soft and really moisturized, even on the coldest winter days. This combo of serums got me through the polar vortexes of 2023.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director

You should always have a reliable, no-frills moisturizer in your stash, and this fragrance-free moisturizer fits the bill. It provides gentle yet deep hydration without irritating fragrances or colorants, making it perfect for everyday or when you’ve gone a little too retinol-happy.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, dimethicone

Skin type: Dry, sensitive

Size: 1.4 oz.

Our expert says: “Curel’s Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is a wonderful find for dry, sensitive skin as a final step in a morning or night regimen. With glycerin, ceramides, and dimethicone, the cream feels light but strongly moisturizes. It contains no alcohol, fragrance or preservatives, which is typical of Japanese skin care restoring the skin barrier.”—Dr. Claire Wolinsky, board-certified dermatologist

These masks come as a set of 18 with the brand’s Gentle Exfoliator Serum, which is made to be applied as a first step to unclog pores and allow for increased absorption of the mask’s ingredients. Highlights include Clé de Peau’s exclusive 4MSK complex, rehmannia root extract, and sea ferment to reduce the look of dark spots and boost overall radiance.

Key ingredients: 4MSK complex, rehmannia root extract, and sea ferment

Skin type: Dull, discolored

Size: 18 masks

An ELLE editor says: “On my very first trip to Japan, my mom and I went to visit a Cle de Peau counter. I was interested in their concealer, the stick that has won hundreds of beauty awards, which I still use to this day. My mom was curious about their skin care, and she continues to have at least one Cle de Peau product in her routine. More recently, this sheet mask is a new favorite. It is the richest, most decadent sheet mask I’ve ever tried. My skin forgets what it’s like to be dry after using this.”—Kathleen Hou

Here’s a makeup hero that doubles as a foundation and a skin care product, providing coverage while boosting the health and appearance of the skin underneath. Not only does the formula feature soothing, brightening, and hydrating ingredients—like green tea, vitamin C, and Japanese Angelica root extract—it also offers SPF 20.

Key ingredients: SkingenecellEnmei complex, green tea, vitamin C, Angelica root extract

Skin type: AllSize: 1.2 oz.

An ELLE editor says: “I saw my friend, makeup artist Nam Vo, used this in an Instagram story and marveled over how flawlessly it covered any sort of dark eye circles (not that she has any). Something about this foundation, which is admittedly very rich, works to brighten and lighten my under eyes in a way that doesn’t require any color-correcting. The little hollow I have in my under eyes looks filled when I put this on, and I look much less gray and tired.”—Kathleen Hou

Properly hydrated skin is healthy skin, and many Japanese toners are designed to provide a boost of moisture right after cleansing. This option from Tokyo-based brand Hadalabo has a fast-absorbing gel texture and boasts gentle chemical exfoliator lactic acid, which delicately sloughs off dead skin cells. Those with sensitive skin need not worry, as the formula strays away from sensitizing ingredients like alcohol, fragrance, and oils.

Key ingredients: 7 types of hyaluronic acid, lactic acid

Skin type: All, dry

Size: 5.74 oz.

Our expert says: “It contains multiple types of hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize, leaving the skin plump and radiant.”—Ian Michael Crumm

Tatcha’s Overnight Repair Cream works to calm, strengthen, and hydrate the skin barrier while you sleep. This serum-in-moisturizer hybrid stars antioxidant-rich Japanese indigo and red sage root to double down on redness due to environmental aggressors, so you can wake up feeling and looking refreshed.

Key ingredients: Japanese indigo, red sage root, ceramides, hyaluronic acid

Skin type: All

Size: 1.7 oz.

Our expert says: “Of all the luxury skin care I re-purchase regularly, Tatcha is on the top of the list. I’m obsessed with nearly all their products—the Kissu Lip Mask never leaves my side—but the Overnight Repair Cream is a true standout for me.”—Tatjana Freund, beauty expert

SK-II has been a pioneer in Japanese skin care for over four decades, loved by celebrities, estheticians, and beauty editors worldwide. These editor-approved sheet masks are the perfect pick-me-up for thirsty skin in need of a little extra R&R. They flood the skin with a concentrated dose of SK-II’s iconic Pitera essence, which contains over 50 micro-nutrients to deeply nourish, enhance the skin barrier, and reverse damage.

Key ingredients: Pitera

Skin type: Normal, oily, combination, dry

Size: 10 masks

Our expert says: “Putting this on after an ‘everything’ shower is free therapy to my skin (and me!) The price is less than ideal for most folks, but the results I’ve seen after a week of use rival the those of the most luxurious facial.”—Bianca Rodriguez, beauty expert

This facial spray from Decorté, one of Japan’s leading luxury beauty brands, is another ELLE Future of Beauty award winner. Beloved for its ergonomic packaging and multi-use formula, the product hydrates and sets, all in one go.

Key ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, witch hazel

Skin type: All

Size: 2 oz.

Our expert says: “This ultra fine mist is packaged in a spray bottle that evenly disperses over your face in one spritz. Its 2-in-1 formula doubles as the perfect mist for hydration and setting spray. After one spray, the refreshing aroma transforms your olfactory senses into a luscious garden where you catch the whiff of a citrus farm in the distance. Be right back—gonna take a spritz now.”—Danielle James, beauty expert

Another great pick for dry, sensitive skin, The Dewy Skin Cream is by far the most well-known and popular product from fan-favorite J-brand Tatcha. In fact, two of the dermatologists we spoke with endorsed this cream. Dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla explains that the formula is rich yet absorbs well and can be used year-round. For a formula better suited to combo or oily skin, try Tatcha’s Oil-free Water Cream, which is designed to boost moisture levels while limiting excess sebum.

Key ingredients: Japanese purple rice, algae, ginseng, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram extracts

Skin type: Normal, dry

Size: 0.34-2.5 oz.

Our expert says: “Japanese skin care likes to utilize few ingredients from nature that have antioxidant and hydrating benefits along with more well-known ingredients like hyaluronic acid to boost skin moisture,” explains Dr. Wolinsky. “The Dewy Skin Cream by Tatcha has rice, algae, and botanical extracts. And like most Japanese skin care products, it has no fragrances, sulfates, or parabens.”—Dr. Claire Wolinksy

Those with oily or acne-prone skin may also want to try this cleansing oil. Follow up with your favorite water-based cleanser, and your face will be squeaky clean yet replenished with non-greasy hydration.

Key ingredients: Sesame, safflower, and jojoba oils

Skin type: All

Size: 5-8.4 oz.

Our expert says: “Your waterproof mascara and eyeliner don’t stand a chance against it,” she says. “It has a nice herbal scent that makes you actually want to wash your makeup off. Plus, the formula includes sesame and safflower oils, which help with texture, tone, and minimizing breakouts.”—Danielle James

“As a part of the J-beauty skin care trend, I have always been a great fan of CO2 masks,” says Hinako Sugioka, a skin care expert and Japan-based curator for Shiko Beauty Collective. “Carbonic acid (CO2) contained in a mask has the effect of dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow, helping to activate skin cells and make the skin firm and radiant. I especially love Spaoxy Gel Bright Plus from Dr. Medion, because it not only does the above job, but the Yuzu citrus fragrance of this product is amazing! It will make you feel like you’re in a luxurious spa at home.” To use, mix the gel and powder packet to create a frothy mixture, then apply it with the included spatula.

Key ingredients: Carbonic acid, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, royal jelly extract, vitamin C

Skin type: All

Size: 6 masks

Our expert says: “This mask improves skin tone and texture, evens around the eye area, tightens pores, and reduces redness.”—Tracy O’Connor

This luxurious bath product gets its name from the way it “blooms” in the water like a flower as it mixes into your bath. As it nourishes and hydrates your skin with soothing yomogi leaf extract, softening camellia oil, and moisturizing rice bran oil, the formula releases a lightly citrusy, woodsy scent to relax you, no matter how long your day might’ve been.

Key ingredients: Yomogi leaf extract, camellia oil, rice bran oil

Skin type: All

Size: 3.4 oz.

A Shikohin reviewer says: “This bath oil has turned my bathroom into a spa. It’s a little luxury I can't live without.”

Giselle Go is the co-founder of clean Japanese skin care brand DamDam.

Tracy O’Connor is the brand director of Shiko Beauty Collective, a U.S.-based e-tailer curating premium Japanese beauty products.

Hinako Sugioka is a skin care expert with over 30 years of experience leading development for brands like Shiseido and NARS Cosmetics. She is currently based in Japan and a curator for Shiko Beauty Collective.

Ian Michael Crumm is a celebrity esthetician and co-host of the podcast BeautyCurious.

Dr. Carmen Castilla is a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology.

Merry Thornton is a board-certified dermatology physician assistant, licensed skin care expert, and Founder of Element Medical Aesthetics.

“Many Japanese products are associated with the ‘Ishoku Dogen’ or ‘You are what you eat’ approach,” explains Sugioka. “We’ve maintained many unique, nutrient-rich natural ingredients, such as rice bran and green tea, that are good for your diet and have been used for skin care from ancient times. They all have a proven record of efficacies and are safe for long-term use.”

Alongside these traditional, time-tested ingredients, O’Connor notes that Japanese beauty brands have also pioneered innovations, like patented ceramide and proprietary hyaluronic acid technologies, that are “the gold standard.” Sugioka mentions that some Japanese skin care companies are even focusing on utilizing cutting-edge treatments from regenerative medicine, such as stem cell technologies and sirtuin proteins.

“Japanese skin care often follows a minimalist philosophy, advocating for fewer but highly effective products,” explains Crumm.

Per Go, the focus is always on gentle cleansing and layered hydration. “Proper cleansing is crucial in Japanese skin care, including a double-cleansing method—which involves using an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based cleanser to ensure thorough removal of makeup—sunscreen, and impurities,” she says. “This is followed by light layers of hydration using serums, moisturizers, and essences (or lightweight yet richly hydrating formulas that contain a higher concentration of ingredients) to maintain and seal in the skin’s moisture levels. Through this approach, the benefits of each product can be fully soaked into the skin.”

Our other experts note Japanese skin care rituals often include facial massaging for extra soothing benefits and an enhanced emphasis on a multi-sensory experience. “For instance, when washing your face, enjoy the smell of the product and pay attention to the way it feels as you are applying it,” says dermatologist Merry Thornton.