6 Best Inexpensive Japanese Skin Care Brands
Must-Buy Skin Care Products by Japanese Drugstore Beauty Brands
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Looking for high-quality but affordable Japanese cosmetics products?? At Japanese drugstores, you can find a wide selection of skin care products , and some of products offers amazing effectiveness, qualities and value for money. Because of the highly competitive market, many great skin care products are sold at very affordable prices (between 1,000~2,000 yen) in Japan. But there are hundreds of products in stores, so it may be hard to choose which one is good or suits your skin.
I have previously introduced 6 best Japanese drugstore makeup brands and their top-selling makeup products, and this time, I’d like to share with you the list of the best Japanese drugstore skin care brands that offer high quality and affordable skin care products.
Related article: 5 Best Inexpensive Japanese Makeup Brands
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. HADA LABO
HADA LABO (肌ラボ) is a Japanese skin care brand developed by ROHTO, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the country. The brand offers skin care products that are not only effective but also very affordable.
HADA LABO is best known for their moisturizing skin care series “Gokujyun” with Super Hyaluronic Acid that provides intensive hydration to the skin. Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion has been one of the top-selling toners in Japan over the past decade.
The brand offers a wide variety of skin care products including face wash, emulsion, all-in-one gel and sheet masks. There are also the premium edition (Gokujyun Premium), the skin-brightening line (Shirojyun) and the anti-aging skin care line (Gokujyun α) available besides the regular moisturizing Gokujyun line. Some of HADA LABO’s skin care products are available with the refill package that you can reduce waste and cost!
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2. Nameraka Honpo
Nameraka Honpo (なめらか本舗) is a skin care brand by SANA, the cosmetics company which owns several popular drugstore cosmetics brands such as EXCEL, MAIKOHAN and Keana Pate. The brand offers a wide range of skin care products including face wash, toner, moisturizer and face mask.
All products of Nameraka Honpo’s skin care series contains the moisturizing ingredient of soymilk isoflavone that delivers intense hydration and helps the skin to feel smooth and soft. One of the best-selling products is the Cleansing Face Wash. The rich and dense form gently washes the face and removes makeup, but leaves the skin smooth and moisturized.
Besides the basic line, the brand offers many different variations that you can choose depending your skin type or effectiveness such as the rich line for higher moisturization, the wrinkle line for anti-aging and the white line for skin brightening. Some of the skin care products can be also refilled.
3. Naturie
Naturie (ナチュリエ) is a Japanese skin care brand belongs to the cosmetics company called imju, which has produced several cosmetics brands and award-winning drugstore beauty products such as eye makeup products by deJavu, lipsticks by OPERA and skin care products by naturie.
Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner is top-selling skin care series which features natural Hatomugi (Job’s tear) extract which is highly moisturizing and keeps the skin soft and smooth. The products contains no colouring or fragrance additives, and has a hypoallergenic formula which is recommended for all skin type including sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.
Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner series consists of two award winning skin care products. Naturie Skin Conditioner is a light-weight and refreshing skin toner that helps to normalize the turn over cycle of skin cells. The other is Skin Conditioning Gel, a highly moisturizing, non-greasy skin care gel which is recommended to use after the toner. Both products can be used for face and body. Also last year, Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Milk was newly added to the line up. It’s a milk type skin emulsion to achieve plumped and smooth skin.
4. Melano CC
Melano CC (メラノ CC) is a skin care brand by ROHTO. The brand offers skin care products with highly penetrating technology Vitamin C which is effective for treating hyper-pigmentation such as dark spots, blemish and acne scars.
Currently the Melano CC skin care series includes a toner, face mask, beauty essence, gel and cream. The products are highly recommended for dry and damaged skin from UV rays or in order to prevent blemishes.
One of the most trending drugstore beauty products in Japan today is Melano CC Medicinal Vitamin C Essence. It’s formulated with Vitamin C and Vitamin E that give intensive care to the skin by reaching to the melanocytes and preventing dark spots and freckles. It also contains moisturizing ingredients and soothes the skin redness from acne or sunburn.
5. Kikumasamune
Kikumasamune is a long-established Japanese sake brewery since 1659, and has launched a sake-based cosmetics brand in 2012, taking the wisdom from the old days when women used sake for conditioning their skin as there were no skin care products.
The brand started with High Moist Skin Care Lotion, a moisturizing skin toner for face and body that is formulated with sake and other beauty ingredients such as ceramide, amino acids, arbutin and placenta extract, and has a faint sweet scent of sake.
Now the brand ranges 8 skin care products including makeup remover, face wash, face cream and beauty serum. All products contain Kikumasamune’s Junmai Ginjo Sake (rice fermentation liquid) and amino acids found in large quantities in sake as moisturizing ingredients. Various beauty and moisturizing ingredients are also blended in products to keep the skin supple and hydrated.
6. Curel
Curel (キュレル) is a skin care brand by KAO, one of the leading chemical and cosmetics companies in Japan. Comparing to above four brands, Curel’s skin care products might be slightly more costly, but also higher quality and effectiveness can be expected. If you have sensitive skin, Curel products are highly recommended as they are specially designed for sensitive, dry skin. All products are hypoallergenic and free of fragrance, colouring, and alcohol.
Curel’s skin care products are highly moisturizing, and contain ceramide functioning ingredients that helps to improve your skin’s natural barrier function. Along with the Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel, Curel Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is a winner of @cosme Hall of Fame title which is the most honorable award given to cosmetics products in Japan.
The brand offers a variety of products including basic skin care products, body and hair care products and sunscreens. Besides the regular skin care line (Intensive Moisture Face Care series), there are also the Sebum Care series designed for sensitive, oily skin, the Whitening Care series for dull skin with dark spots and freckles, and the Aging Care series for anti-aging.
Thanks for reading! I hope you have enjoyed checking out the best Japanese drugstore skin care brands! Skin care products from the listed brands are widely available at drugstores, variety stores and cosmetics shops in Japan, but you can also purchase some of items from abroad!
For more information about the latest Japanese cosmetics products, here are some more articles for you to check out!
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"The world is my oyster." As a dedicated globetrotter and hammock enthusiast, I’ve spent years chasing new experiences, collecting stories, and discovering the world’s most incredible destinations. Born and raised in Japan, I’ve always had a deep connection to my roots, but my love for adventure has led me to spend over a decade exploring countries across the globe—from culture-rich cities to remote hideaways.
Travel isn't just a hobby for me; it's a lifestyle. I'm constantly searching for new ways to fuel my wanderlust. Over the years, I’ve developed a wealth of knowledge and a treasure trove of tips that make traveling more enjoyable, practical, and meaningful.
Through my experiences, I've come to appreciate not only the beauty of travel but also the importance of understanding diverse cultures, embracing the unfamiliar, and stepping out of my comfort zone. My travels have shaped who I am today, and I’m excited to share those lessons with others.
With Japan Web Magazine, I aim to offer practical advice, insider tips, and firsthand stories that help travelers navigate their journeys to Japan or setting off on a global adventure. From hidden gems in Japan to travel hacks that make any trip smoother, I hope my insights inspire you to embark on your own adventures and make the most of every moment. Let’s explore the world together!
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