Look For These Japanese Ingredients In Skincare

Beauty in nature

J-beauty is finally getting everyone’s attention, especially with Japanese drugstore beauty faves now becoming widely available here in the region. Aside from their premium quality, Japanese skincare has been highly regarded because of their use of potent ingredients. There’s no question regarding their effectiveness because some of the most popular natural ingredients they contain have been used for hundreds of years to nourish the skin. Want to get on the J-beauty hype? Look for these tried and tested Japanese skincare ingredients next time you shop.

Green Tea

Green tea powder

A great antioxidant, green tea has been used to ward off free radicals from the skin that causes acne. No wonder it has become such a popular skincare ingredient, not just in Japan but all over the world. What’s great with green tea is that it protects by maintaining its pH balance, so infection is prevented without leaving you too dry or too oily. Try out the cleansing effects of one of the most beloved Japanese skincare ingredients with Boscia Matcha Magic Super-Antioxidant Mask.

Rice

Rice plant

We tend to overlook this one as we so often see it as a staple on our dining tables. But did you know Japan has been using rice as a skincare ingredient for ages now? That’s right. Rice, or rice bran, specifically, is one of the most-trusted Japanese skincare ingredients of geishas. Aside from having antioxidant qualities, rice bran is known to soothe and smooth the skin. Hydrate your skin with a product like Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu Oil Essence. Containing cold-pressed rice bran and germ oil, the essence is rich with Vitamin E, perfect for battling the signs of ageing.

Camellia Oil

Camellia flowers

Looking to improve your skin’s elasticity? Set your sights on camellia oil that’s full of Omega 6 and other fatty acids that nourish the skin and tame redness. The natural oil is extracted from a flower called tsubaki or Japanese camellia. Used to heal minor tears and scars, the oil boosts skin cell renewal — perfect for acne-prone skin and those plagued with skin ageing. A product like the Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil won’t feel greasy, so you won’t feel heavy despite the moisture.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms

Of course, there are the sakura or cherry blossoms, which are perhaps one of the most popular Japanese skincare products in the market today. Like the camellia oil, sakura extract is rich in essential fatty acids, so these pinkish blooms are great for repairing the skin’s natural barriers and soothing the skin. Not only that, but they're also a rich source of caffeic acid and other anti-oxidants. To get supple and smooth skin, try to incorporate Shu Uemura Sakura: Hydrability Sakura Rose Petal Mask into your beauty routine.

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms are potent Japanese skincare ingredients.

They might look weird, but reishi mushrooms are one of the most valued Japanese skincare ingredients. Known since the ancient times as the “mushroom of immortality”, these kidney-shaped fungi boosts your body’s vitality with their high anti-oxidant content. The herbal shroom helps blood circulation and fight toxins that cause premature ageing. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate harnesses the power of reishi, so include it in your daily skincare routine for a younger-looking complexion.

Next, grab these affordable J-Beauty products on your next Japan vacay.