15 Best Japan Drugstore Products that You MUST Buy in 2024
Discover the Top Japanese Skincare and Beauty Essentials
Japan is widely celebrated, particularly among women, for its high-quality cosmetics. Japanese women uphold discerning standards when it comes to beauty products. It’s a competitive world, where entering the section of the most popular or best-selling products is not easy. Not only cosmetic, beauty supplements are also in high demand and Japanese women use them in a daily basis.
You might often see lists featuring products from popular brands. However, these lists don’t always reflect the most commonly used products by Japanese people in their daily lives. In this list, I will introduce you to the 15 must-buy drugstore products for when you visit Japan.
Effective and affordable, check out this list and make sure to pick them up on your next trip to Japan!
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
Must-See! Trending Drugstore Items
Japanese skincare products are well-regarded for their quality, innovation, and use of natural ingredients. Currently, there are several must-try products trending in Japan, including cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers. These items are designed to help you achieve smooth, radiant, and healthy skin. Be sure to check them out!
Melano CC Deep Clear Face Wash
Melano CC Deep Clear Face Wash is a renowned Japanese skincare product that combines Vitamin C, clay, and enzymes to brighten and even out skin tone while cleansing. This face wash effectively targets dark spots, dullness, and hyperpigmentation, removing dirt, oil, and impurities while providing antioxidant benefits.
Its unique enzyme formulation uses proprietary technology to maintain enzyme efficacy in a convenient tube form, offering powerful cleansing without causing dryness. This balance of strong cleansing power and moisturizing ingredients makes it a popular choice. In 2022, Melano CC Deep Clear Face Wash won first place in the cleanser category on @cosme, Japan’s largest cosmetics portal. Additionally, it received the 2023 Best Cosmetics Award in the cleanser category from Biteki readers. And within just one year of its release, Melano CC Deep Clear Face Wash achieved over 2 billion yen in sales, highlighting its popularity and effectiveness.
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence
The Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++ is a top Japanese sunscreen, offering superior protection against UVA and UVB rays. Its high SPF50+ and PA++++ ratings ensure robust defense against the sun’s harmful effects. This essence not only protects but also enhances your skin tone with color-correcting particles that brighten dull skin. The lavender tint in the Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Lavender variant imparts a radiant glow.
Its light and easily spreadable texture ensures comfort and is highly appreciated for its non-greasy feel and moisturizing qualities. Suitable for both facial and full-body application, it helps maintain an even and beautiful skin tone all over.
Lululun Hydra V Mask
Lululun is one of the most popular Japanese facial mask brand, selling over 1 billion sheets since he brand was first launched in 2011. With high-quality, yet very affordable face mask. Lululun is known as the pioneer of drugstore face masks in Japan, offering a wide range of face masks with various effects such as moisturizing, skin-brightening and anti-aging.
So any face mask from Lulun is a good choice, but if you need some suggestion, in the The Best Cosmetics Awards 2023 from @cosme the Lululun Hydra V Mas won the second place, while the Lululun Hydra Ex Mask is in the 1st place in 2024.
THE LYPO VC Deep Capsule
THE LYPO VC Deep Capsule is a beauty supplement that combines two types of vitamin C with hyaluronic acid. Utilizing advanced liposome technology, this supplement encapsulates the ingredients in structures that mimic cell membranes, allowing for slow and sustained release of nutrients in the body.
THE LYPO VC Deep Capsule is ideal for individuals seeking flawless, luminous skin and a healthier lifestyle by ensuring they get an adequate amount of Vitamin C. This innovative supplement is designed to enhance the skin’s radiance and overall well-being.
Popular Summer Products
Next on our list, we have products that are especially popular during the summer in Japan. During this season, increased sweat and sebum production can lead to concerns like dull skin, acne, and odor. These products, available year-round, are particularly helpful in addressing those summertime issues.
Melano CC UV Milk
Melano CC UV Milk offers comprehensive sun protection and skin-brightening benefits, combining powerful UV-cut ingredients with effective skincare components. With SPF50+ and PA++++, it shields against UVA and UVB rays, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and UV-induced skin damage.
Melano CC UV Milk not only protects the skin from UV damage. Formulated with Vitamin C and E derivatives, it also brightens the complexion and reduces the appearance of dark spots over time. Its lightweight and non-greasy texture makes it perfect for daily use, even under makeup, ensuring your skin remains radiant and well-protected.