All products featured on Allure are independently selected by Allure editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission.
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but…. I recently went to Japan. Who am I kidding? Of course you and everyone else I’ve come in contact with over the last couple of weeks know all about my Tokyo excursion—it’s all over my Instagram feed and has very quickly become my entire personality. (Sorry, not sorry!) I had such an amazing time eating, exploring, and shopping my way through the city, and I just want to relive it over and over again. But I’ll save you from the repetition and instead, I’ll share some of the amazing Japanese skin-care products I refused to leave the country without.
1. Chemical Sunscreen: I can’t tell you how many tubes of sunscreen I bought—no seriously, I have no idea. I blacked out at one point during a two-hour shopping trip to Don Quijote, one of (if not the) biggest discount store in Japan, and bought approximately 62,535 tubes of chemical sunscreen, like the hydrating and makeup-setting Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist; the silky, lightweight Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk SPF50+; and the skin-brightening Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence. In my opinion, Japanese sunscreen is elite (blendable lotion! SPF face mists! seamless sticks!), so I made it my mission to stock up on as many as my carry-on could handle.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2. Vitamin C Serum: Along with sunscreen, I was on the hunt for vitamin C serums. I’ve heard the potent antioxidant-rich ingredient, which is best known for its brightening ability, is super popular in Japan, so, of course, I had to find out for myself. While I couldn’t read most of the ingredient lists and labels, anything with vitamin C was fairly easy to spot because of its bright yellow packaging. I bought a few serums, like the Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence, which is one of the most recognizable vitamin C-based skin-care brands in Japan right now. I like it because the delivery system is a little different than serums in the US—it comes in a tube and has a texture similar to a cream, as opposed to liquid-based formulas popular in the States, like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and La Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum. I even bought an eye cream, but I haven’t tried it yet, so I’ll be sure to report back once I do!
3. Acne Spot Treatment: I rarely get breakouts, so I didn’t plan on shopping for skin-care products specific to acne, but then I spotted the Lion Pair Acne Cream, a viral pimple paste, while in line at a pharmacy, and then… bam! I had no choice but to buy it on the spot. What makes Lion Pair’s acne cream so unique compared to spot treatments I’ve used in the past, is that it’s made with 3% ibuprofen piconol, an ingredient not commonly found in American skin-care products. It’s a “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to regular ibuprofen but formulated specifically for topical use,” according to dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “It’s formulated to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling on the skin's surface.” I have yet to try it (see above re: rare breakouts), but when I do, it’ll be my first line of defense.
I sadly had to leave a lot of the skin-care products I wanted behind on the shelf (carry-on problems), so I guess that means I’ll have to plan another trip soon…. darn!
Reader Question
I've been traveling a lot for work lately and my skin is going through it. Should I be doing anything outside of my normal skin-care routine to combat breakouts and dullness?
— asks Allure Reader Andrea
Dear Andrea,
Advertisement
Advertisement
When traveling, I recommend keeping it simple. Pare down on your routine (only pack your absolute must-haves) and avoid adding anything new into your regimen. It’s not uncommon to get a breakout or two from the stress of a trip, but do your best to board any plane, train, and/or automobile with freshly cleansed skin sans makeup and keep some pimple patches on hand just in case.
While you’re en route to your final destination, layer up to avoid dehydration—pack a face mist or hydrating serum, moisturizer, and (if your skin can take it) top it all off with an occlusive balm, like Aquaphor or Prequel’s Skin Utility Balm. Staying hydrated is key to keeping your skin in check!
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor's Pick
BEST CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN: Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50
Blends in seamlessly on all skin tones
A Japanese beauty best seller
A 2024 Allure Best of Beauty winner
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending Topic
Did you know you could be washing your body incorrectly?
After reading this NPR comic, I fear a large population of people are missing key parts of their bodies during the cleansing portion of their showers. Turns out, you’re supposed to wash from the top down because, as NPR puts it, you don’t want to transfer germs all over yourself.
We're curious: What is a hygiene-related habit you realized your partner had that you felt the need to put an end to?
Book Club
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
★★★★☆
A beautiful, character-driven story that follows a woman in her mid-30s who works from home as a copy editor in Tokyo. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and ache for companionship.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Originally Appeared on Allure
