Japanese Skincare Products & Rituals
J-Beauty: Japanese Skincare Routine & Products
When Shiseido first opened its doors in 1872, terms like “J-Beauty” were completely nonexistent. What did exist, however, were ancient ingredients, like reishi mushroom and camellia oil, that were long celebrated by our ancestors as staples in a traditional Japanese skincare routine. Today, these traditional herbs and oils remain coveted ingredients across Japanese beauty products.
Modern Japanese skincare and beauty products, now popularly referred to as J-Beauty, are the culmination of centuries of Japanese tradition and decades of modern innovation. The result is skincare that not only softens and brightens the skin but also strengthens and protects. Here’s why J-Beauty has become a global phenomenon and how to start your own Japanese skincare routine.
What is J-Beauty?
J-Beauty is short for Japanese beauty, an umbrella term for Japanese skincare and beauty products that’s gained popularity over recent years. As the skincare industry has begun to focus less on air-brushed perfect skin and more on skin that’s truly healthy, the soothing botanicals and ritual-like steps of Asian skincare have become mainstays in an anti-blemish or anti-aging routine.
Similar to K-Beauty, which derives from Korean skincare, the emphasis on J-Beauty is split between the actual Japanese beauty products and the Japanese beauty regimen steps with which they’re applied. A Japanese skincare routine is paired down to five or six steps that focus on skin softening and hydrating.
What Factors Define J-Beauty?
J-Beauty infuses history and tradition with modern science to create a one-of-a-kind skincare regimen that’s both historically and clinically effective. Factors that specifically define J-Beauty are the emphasis on the skin, for which Japanese beauty products aim to clear blemishes, fade dark spots, provide all-day hydration, and protect from environmental stressors like harmful sun rays.
The origins of Japanese skincare stem from the age of the Geishas, who honed a simplistic skincare routine with readily-available ingredients like green tea and camellia oil. As their original Japanese beauty regimen steps passed down from generation to generation, modern skincare enthusiasts paired authentic ingredients with Western science to set new standards for the beauty industry.
How to Create a Japanese Skincare Routine
J-Beauty has graced the cover of leading beauty magazines. It has helped pioneers in the Japanese skincare space, like Shiseido, enter every corner of the world. It’s now easier than ever to begin a Japanese skincare routine, no matter where you are in the world. Here are the six essential steps to creating your very own Japanese skincare routine for hydrated, healthy skin.
Step 1: Cleanse
The first step in a J-Beauty regimen is to cleanse the skin. Cleansing washes away makeup, dirt, and other impurities from the surface of the skin to create a fresh base for skincare that doesn’t strip away vital moisture. If you wear makeup, particularly waterproof or long-wearing mascara or lipstick, the first step to cleansing the skin is to dissolve any makeup residue.
Instant Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is formulated with Xylitol to retain essential moisture in the delicate eye and lip areas. Simply saturate a cotton pad and gently swipe over the makeup you want to remove.
All skin types will love Clarifying Cleansing Foam, a creamy foam cleanser that requires just a dime-size amount to enhance skin clarity with signature Japanese ingredients like Yomogi Extract and White Clay. If you’re looking for a cleanser that assists with anti-aging, opt for Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam instead, which includes the legendary Enmei herb to brighten skin tone.
Step 2: Soften
Softening is one of the most essential Japanese beauty regimen steps and one that is unique to J-Beauty. Skin softeners are the first step in moisturizing the face and are meant to prep the skin to absorb the products that follow. These innovative Japanese beauty products have a water-like formula to deeply hydrate and are best applied with a Facial Cotton pad.
Those with normal to dry skin will prefer Treatment Softener Enriched, a lightweight softener that helps visibly plump and moisturize skin. Those with normal to oily skin may want to opt for something like Treatment Softener, which hydrates and removes sebum for smooth, refined skin. Use three pumps of softener to completely saturate a cotton pad and swipe over the skin.
Step 3: Strengthen
The next step in a Japanese skincare routine is to strengthen the skin. Strengthening helps the skin defend itself against internal and external stressors and boosts the performance of your skincare routine. According to traditional J-Beauty, this step should always be completed after cleansing and softening the skin but before applying any other serums or moisturizers.
To protect the skin with a potent serum that enhances the efficacy of secondary skincare
products, apply two pumps of Ultimune Power Infusing
Serum onto the fingertips and smooth it evenly over the face and neck both morning and night. This
antioxidant-rich face serum amplified hydration, improved radiance, and visibly reduced signs of aging in just
three days according to a clinical trial*.
*Tested by 104 women
Step 4: Treat
Up next in a Japanese skincare routine is to treat specific skin concerns with targeted serums and treatments. There is a wide range of Japanese beauty products that have been formulated to address particular skin concerns, such as softening fine lines, correcting dark spots, or enhancing luminosity. You can layer one or multiple serums to achieve your individual skincare goals.
For instance, Future Solution LX Intensive Firming Contour Serum contains Japanese botanicals like Uji Green Tea Extract and Okura Extract to help give skin a tightened look. White Lucent Illuminating Micro-Spot Serum is packed with exclusive ReNeura Technology+™ to target the appearance of dark spots. Apply two pumps across the entire face and neck.
Step 5: Moisturize
Moisturizers and creams are beloved J-Beauty skincare products due to their best-in-class formulas and variety of textures that provide intense hydration without clogging the skin. Products in a Japanese skincare routine should always be layered from the lightest texture to the heaviest, so moisturizer should always be one of the last steps in your beauty regimen.
Opt for White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream to target the causes of dark spots and discoloration or Benefiance NutriPerfect Day Cream to protect mature skin affected by hormonal changes. Apply a thin layer of Essential Energy Hydrating Cream to deliver intense moisture that lasts up to 24 hours. Remember to always apply moisturizer to both the face and neck for supple skin.
Step 6: Protect
The last step in a Japanese skincare routine is to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB exposure. J-Beauty sunscreens are available in a wide range of formats and SPF levels to suit your lifestyle, like Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ to apply on the go or Future Solution LX Universal Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ to protect from additional environmental stressors.
J-Beauty Skincare for Hydrated, Healthy Skin
Shiseido combines innovation and science to help women unveil their healthiest skin yet. Begin your own Japanese skincare routine with these beloved J-Beauty skincare products from Shiseido.