Base Makeup Products: Japanese Cosmetics Ranking 2025

In Japan, base makeup is considered the most critical step in a beauty routine. It isn’t just about covering imperfections; it is about creating a natural, healthy glow that looks like bare skin, only better. To help you find the perfect products to achieve this look, we have turned to the most trusted source in the Japanese beauty industry: @cosme.

@cosme is Japan’s largest beauty portal site, where millions of users rate and review products. Their bi-annual “Best Cosmetics Awards” are highly anticipated events that dictate the beauty trends for the coming year. The winners are chosen based on real user feedback, making this ranking incredibly reliable.

The 2025 Best Cosmetics Awards (reflecting the best of this year) have just been announced! This year, the trend has shifted heavily towards “Skincare-Makeup Hybrids” — products that improve your skin condition while you wear them.

From the Grand Prize-winning face powder to serum-infused foundations, here are the best base makeup products of 2025 that you need to check out!

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

Best Sunscreen

1st place: ELIXIR Day Care Revolution Brightening + ba (3,740 yen)

2nd place: FAS The Black Day Cream (6,600 yen)

3rd place: ORBIS Wrinkle Bright UV Protector (3,850 yen)

Best Face Primer

1st place: La Roche Posay UV Idea XL Protection Tone Up Rose+ (3,960 yen)

2nd place: PAUL & JOE BEAUTE Protecting Primer (4,070 yen) [Shop Online]

3rd place: NARS Light Reflecting Tone-up Veil (6,490 yen)

Best Powder Foundation

1st place: Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Powder Foundation (refill 11,000 yen, case 3,300 yen, pinceau 2,750 yen, sponge 550 yen)

2nd place: COSME DECORTE Zen Wear Powder Foundation (6,050 yen)

3rd place: elegance Refine Velvety Foundation (6,600 yen)

Best Liquid Foundation

1st place: SHISEIDO Essence Skin Glow Foundation (7,590 yen)

2nd place: LANCOME Teint Idole Ultra Wear (7,590 yen)

3rd place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Fluid Glow (7,370 yen)

Best Cream Foundation

1st place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Skin Perfect Stick (7,370 yen)

2nd place: Maybelline SP Stay Cream Pact Foundation (3,993 yen)

3rd place: Cle de Peau Beaute Tient Creme Eclat n (14,850 yen)

Best Cushion Foundation

1st place: NARS Light Reflacting Serum Cushion Foundation (5,940 yen)

2nd place: Cle du Peau Beaute Teint Cushion Eclat Lumineux (refill 8,030 yen/case 3,520 yen)

3rd place: TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion (2,970 yen) [Shop Online]

Best Mesh Cushion Foundation

1st place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Hydra Glow Cushion (6,710 yen)

2nd place: PRADA Mesh Cushion (11,330 yen)

3rd place: Cle du Peau Beaute Tient Cushion Eclat Naturel (8,030 yen)

Best BB & CC Cream

1st place: SK-Ⅱ GENOPTICS CC Primer (9,900 yen)

2nd place: DIOR Prestige White Le Protecteur UV Lumiere (15,950 yen)

3rd place: Obagi C Day Serum BB (3,300 yen) [Shop Online]

Best Loose Powder

1st place: COSME DECORTE Loose Powder (6,270 yen)

2nd place: GIVENCHY Prisme Libre (8,250 yen)

3rd place: innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (1,430 yen)

Best Pressed Powder

1st place: Cle du Peau Beaute Poudre Compacte Essentielle n (12,100 yen)

2nd place: muice Spot Mente Powder (1,045 yen)

3rd place: Elegance La Poudre Haute Nuance (13,200 yen)

Best Concealer

1st place: KANEBO Designing Color Liquid (3,300 yen)

2nd place: DECORTE Tone Perfecting Palette (5,170 yen)

3rd place: tfit Cover Up Pro Concealer (1,650 yen)

Best Highlighter

1st place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Backstage Maximizer Palette (6,930)

2nd place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Glow Maximizer (5,940 yen)

3rd place: DIOR Dior Skin Forever Glow Luminizer (8,580 yen)

Best Contour

1st place: KANEBO Shadow On Face (3,300 yen)

2nd place: CANMAKE Shading Powder (748 yen)

3rd place: CEZANNE Shading Pencil (660 yen)

Best Setting Spray

1st place: KOSE Make Keep Mist EX + (946 yen) [Shop Online]

2nd place: d program Allerbarrier Mist N (1,650 yen)

3rd place: CLARINS Fix Make Up (5,060 yen)

(The full list of the Best Cosmetics Awards 2025 can be found at the @cosme website! → https://www.cosme.net/bestcosme/)

Which of these 2025 award-winning base makeup products are you excited to try? Whether you want to splurge on Decorté or save with CANMAKE, these top-rated items are guaranteed to elevate your makeup game. You can find these products at drugstores, variety stores (like LOFT and Plaza), and department stores throughout Japan!

Some of products are also sold overseas or online with global shipping option. You can check the link below to see if your favourite Japanese cosmetics products are available.

>>Shop Japanese Beauty Items Online with FREE Worldwide Shipping<<

For more information about Japanese cosmetics and beauty trends, please check out our other articles!

▽Japanese Cosmetics Ranking 2025 Mid-Year▽

▼Japanese Cosmetics Ranking Archive▼

▽Hall of Fame▽

▼More Japanese Beauty Products▼