Must-Buy Japanese products to beat the cold in winter
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Winter is eagerly awaited by many, although I’m more of a summer person myself. It brings good things like Christmas lights and holidays, but in places like Japan, it can also mean colds, sore throats, and chapped hands and lips.
With the busy routines of work, family, and friends, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. This year, especially tough, it’s important to focus on our health, both physical and mental.
One thing I love about living in Japan is the variety of products available for everything you can imagine, even things you didn’t realize you needed! Japanese products are known for their quality and affordability, and I’m excited to share my top picks for winter essentials in Japan, which are useful anywhere with cold temperatures. And the best part? Some of them you can get them shipped worldwide! Ready to find out? Let’s dive in!
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. Kairo or heat packs
Kairo (カイロ) or hokkairo (ホッカイロ) are one of Japan’s winter essentials. They’re small heat patches designed to be worn on specific areas of the body. There are two types: some are adhesive (although it’s not recommended to apply them directly to the skin to avoid burns), while others are meant to be carried in pockets. The latter last longer and generate more heat. As soon as it starts getting cold, these products start appearing in convenience stores, drugstores, stations, and supermarkets.
The first time that I saw them and they explained me how they work, I was really surprised that Japanese kairo aren’t being exported abroad yet! They are super useful and affordable.
2. UNIQLO Heattech clothes
One of Uniqlo’s top-selling products is its line of clothes called HEATTECH, which is famous for keeping you warm in winter. They use clever technology to trap your body heat, and is a must for Japanese people in Winter.
They’ve got lots of different items, like undershirts, jeans, leggings, socks, and more. Some even come in different warmth levels, so you can pick what suits you best. If there’s a Uniqlo store nearby, you should definitely check it out!
3. Shiseido Hand Cream Medicated
A good hand cream is usually a must for winter, since hands tend to crack when cold. There are many hand creams of many brands on the market, but I can assure you that Shiseido’s hand cream medicated is unlike any other hand cream you’ve tried. The first time I bought it it was because with the cold and the water, my hands end up very bad and I was in pain. After using the Shiseido hand cream only once I notice a huge improvement! Just by using the cream twice, my hands were completely recovered.
I have also recommended this cream to family and friends, with jobs such as cleaning staff in a hotel where they use chemical products like alcohol and wash their hands continuously, and they have also been able to confirm the wonderful results of this cream.
4. MegRhythm Hot Eye Mask
Kao is a famous Japanese household cleaning products and cosmetics company that has been marketing hot eye masks, one of my favorite products (and my mom’s too) since I discovered it a few years ago.
It’s not that they will help with a cold or similar, but they help you relax and warm up. Winters in Japan can be very cold and sometimes work or the problems of daily life can stress us out. I use these eye masks just before going to sleep already in bed and they leave you a very pleasant and relaxing feeling, helping you to disconnect from your problems or worries and sleep.
If you have trouble sleeping like I do, I recommend having a hot tea or milk with honey and then using these hot eye masks before going to sleep. The effect is great! (at least in me)
For more info: https://www.kao.co.jp/megrhythm/
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Unscented
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Lavender
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Citrus
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Rose
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Chamomile
▶ MegRhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask Menthol
5. Shiseido Water in Lip Super Moist Keep
Another product that cannot be missed in winter along with the hand cream is a lip balm, since the lips are other of the great harmed by low temperatures and tend to crack. And my favorite after over 7 years in Japan is Shiseido Water in Lip Super Moist Keep. Just like Shiseido Hand Cream Medicated, Shiseido Water in Lip Lip Balm is not a regular balm but a medicated lip balm. Because it contains natural spring water from Italy and hyaluronic acid, this balm is highly hydrating and keeps lips soft and nourished and provides watery shine to dry lips.
But the one I always buy is the Hokkaido edition, formulated with Aqua Squalane 25 to provide longer-lasting hydration and only available during winter.
Order Now ▶ Shiseido Water in Lip Super Moist Keep
6. Yutanpo
7. Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is a hydrating skincare product made by Kao Corporation. It’s formulated to deeply hydrate and moisturize the skin, helping to relieve dryness and restore its natural moisture barrier, particularly for those with dry or sensitive skin. The formula contains ceramides and eucalyptus extract and is fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested.
Is one of the most popular facial cream among Japanese women throughout the year, but is specially recommended in Winter, since our skin tend to dry out because of the cold. So it’s important to moisture it.
8. Hanten Jacket
9. Megrhythm Steam Hot Moisture Mask
The same company that has the hot eye masks have also hot moisture masks. Yes, it’s just what it sounds like: they are masks that when you remove them from the pouch and put them on your face, after a few seconds they start giving off warm steam. The effect lasts approximately 15 minutes.
These masks aren’t to be used all day like normal ones or to prevent the spread of any virus. They are used for problems of dryness, colds, coughs, etc. The mask helps you breathe better, and can help alleviate the symptoms of a common cold for example. It can also help prevent colds. On very cold days or if you have to go to a place where it is very cold, it is a way to keep your face warm, which is usually the most unprotected part. It’s recommended to use them for example before going to sleep. Some Japanese use them when they have a cold and sleep with them, because they say that this way they can recover sooner.
For more info: https://www.kao.co.jp/megrhythm/
10. Kobayashi Netsusama Cooling Gel Sheets
Kobayashi’s Pharmaceutical cooling gel sheets are used to help reduce fever. Luckily, I only had to use this product once, but it’s the most popular in Japan and you can easily find it almost everywhere, even in konbini (convenience stores). A Japanese roommate recommended it to me one day that I had a fever and since he had it at home he gave me one of his sheets, and the truth is that it worked very well for me.
These cooling gel sheets are high in moisture and absorb heat quickly, cooling down a fever. According to the manufacturer, the cooling feeling lasts about 8 hours, offering a comfortable and stable cooling. They also have a version for children, recommended for use in babies over 6 months and up to 2 years.
Buy it Now ▶ Kobayashi Cooling Gel Sheets for Adults
Buy it Now ▶ Kobayashi Cooling Gel Sheets for Children
What do you think of my selection of my favorite products? I’m a person who has a very bad time in winter since I’m not used to the cold, and these products are my salvation. I hope they can help you too 🙂
By the way, another of the most common problems in winter is usually dry skin. One of the most famous products in Japan is the Gokujyun series from HADA LABO. I haven’t used any of their products yet, but in this article you have the best HADA LABO products and series, including the Gokujyun series but many more.
If you like the quality of Japanese products, especially cosmetics or related products, I’d recommend you visit Kokoro, an online beauty store with a wide variety of Japanese cosmetics products. They offer international shipping, and if you spend more than $ 40, shipping is free! Visit their website (Kokoro: http://bit.ly/32HfNbi) to check more Japanese cosmetics products!
For more information about winter in Japan or recommended Japanese cosmetics products, you can take a look to these articles too!
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Written by
From Barcelona to Tokyo. Coffee & Adventure lover🌏☕️
I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and doramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you🙋🏼♀️ Let’s discover Japan together!
Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.
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