Here are 15 Japanese skincare products designed to protect and nourish your sensitive skin all year round.
Trying new Japanese skincare products as a sensitive skin sufferer can be intimidating. In fact, many people may prefer to stick with the same products for years instead of trying something new and risking an itchy rash, painful breakout or unflattering redness. After moving abroad, however, getting hold of those old, reliable skincare items from home can become difficult and expensive.
Luckily, Japan is the perfect place to shop for gentle skincare products. With a skin-balancing approach that avoids harsh chemicals and promotes simplicity, Japanese skincare is ideal for sensitive skin. What’s more, the over-the-counter products we’ve listed below come highly recommended by Japanese dermatologists online. So, if you’re looking to complete your sensitive skincare routine, keep reading to discover the best Japanese cleansers, moisturizers and SPFs.
Cleansers For Sensitive Skin
Curel Moisturizing Foam Cleanser
This gentle foaming cleanser is designed specifically for dry, sensitive skin. It’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free and allergy-tested, and it cleanses skin without stripping away natural oils.
- Price: ¥1,400 for 150ml
d Program Essence-In Cleansing Foam
d Program’s Essence-In Cleanser uses the active ingredient dipotassium glycyrrhizinate for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. Furthermore, it’s free from preservatives, alcohol, mineral oil and fragrance, and it has also been patch-tested for sensitive skin.
- Price: ¥2,090 for 120ml
b.glen Clay Wash
Ideal for oily, sensitive skin, b.glen’s Clay Wash uses natural clay to remove dirt and gently exfoliate dead skin cells. The cleanser also includes hyaluronic acid, which is known for its lightweight moisturizing effect and support of the skin barrier.
- Price: ¥4,290 for 150ml
Lotions For Sensitive Skin
Carté HD Balance Care Lotion
This affordable lotion is categorized in Japan as a quasi-drug, meaning it falls between a cosmetic and pharmaceutical product. It contains anti-inflammatory heparinoids to moisturize and promote blood circulation simultaneously.
- Price: ¥1,980 for 150ml
Arouge Moisture Mist Lotion
Arouge Moisture Mist is an ultra-lightweight emulsion created with natural ceramides and hyaluronic acid for a gentle hydro-boost. In addition, it’s free from harsh ingredients like colorants, alcohol and mineral oil, and it can be conveniently reapplied throughout the day.
- Price: ¥2,530 for 150ml
Decencia Lotion
This premium lotion penetrates deep into the skin’s surface for long-term moisturization that leaves skin smooth and not sticky. Decencia’s lotion is also formulated with non-irritating plant extracts for anti-aging and skin-firming effects.
- Price: ¥5,720 for 125 ml
Moisturizers For Sensitive Skin
Kanei Pharmaceutical Lu Mild Face Cream
A quasi-drug product that includes both heparinoids and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to create a superior soothing cream at an affordable price point. Its light, non-sticky texture is ideal for oily/combination skin and can be used in the morning and evening.
- Price: ¥1,800 for 60g
Curel Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
This free-from formula is lightweight and leaves a non-sticky, cooling effect on the skin. It has also been patch-tested for dry and sensitive skin and contains pseudo ceramides to help boost your skin’s moisture barrier.
- Price: ¥2,400 for 40g
d Program Skin Repair Cream
d Program’s Skin Repair Cream is specifically formulated to target irritated and itchy skin. It uses tranexamic acid to brighten dark spots while moisturizing with natural extracts from yeast and olive leaves.
- Price: ¥3,960 for 45g
SPFs For Sensitive Skin
Kiss Me Mommy UV Mild Gel
Kiss Me’s Mommy UV Mild Gel, designed specifically as a facial SPF for children, is as gentle as it gets. It offers SPF 33/PA+++ protection in a fast-absorbing gel formula, which is also free from preservatives and fragrance.
- Price: ¥730 for 120g
Minon UV Mild Milk
With SPF 50+/PA++++ UV protection, Minon’s UV Mild Milk is designed to keep your skin safe from the sun. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance and colorant-free and can be used on both the face and body.
- Price: ¥1,800 for 80ml
Anessa Perfect UV Mild Milk for Sensitive Skin
One of the most popular sunscreen brands in Japan, Anessa, has formulated a facial SPF specifically for sensitive skin. It’s alcohol, paraben and mineral oil-free and offers SPF 50+ and PA++++ sun protection.
- Price: ¥3,050 for 60ml
Body Lotions For Sensitive Skin
Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
Naturie Hatomugi is a super lightweight body lotion formulated using pearl barley extract. The alcohol-free version is ideal for sensitive skin, while dipotassium glycyrrhizinate soothes irritation as it moisturizes.
- Price: ¥620 for 500ml
Matsuyama Oil Moisturizing Cream
This ultra-rich moisturizing cream contains pseudo ceramides and squalene to moisturize and smooth dry skin. Additionally, it’s allergy- and sensitive skin patch-tested and free from harsh ingredients like parabens, alcohol and fragrances.
- Price: ¥1,980for 50g
CareCera AP Face & Body Lotion
CareCera is known for its soothing and moisturizing products, which are created to fight dry and easily irritated skin. This body milk, in particular, is designed for deep moisture penetration, helping to protect the ceramide barrier and keep skin supple and soft for longer.
- Price: ¥2,400 for 400ml
For Serious Skin Conditions
While dry and sensitive skin can be managed with over-the-counter and drugstore products, more serious conditions like eczema are best treated by professionals. If you’re suffering from an ongoing skin issue, we recommend making an appointment with a dermatologist before experimenting with new products.
3 English-speaking Dermatology Clinics in Tokyo:
1. Azabu Skin Clinic
- Open: Thu to Tue: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wed: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Address: Prescious18 Building 6F, 14-6 Minamiazabu, Minato, Tokyo
2. Meguro Dermatology Clinic
- Open: Mon, Wed and Thu: 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m.; Tue and Fri: 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Address: Knot Hanabusayama, 10-49 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa City, Tokyo
3. Elm Clinic (Omotesando & Azabu)
- Omotesando Clinic Open: Mon to Sat: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Omotesando Clinic Address: Seine Akira 5F, 1-2 Minami Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo
- Azabu Clinic Open: Mon to Fri: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat to Sun: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Azabu Clinic Address: Azabu KF Building 1F, 9-7 Azabujuban, Minato, Tokyo
Do you have any recommendations for skincare products for sensitive skin? If so, what are your go-to products? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
