_Japanese Skincare Routine in 5 Steps
In my search for beauty and skincare products that work, I found that the more I learned about the different skincare available in different countries, the more I kept on liking Japanese skincare, especially considering that you can have a glowing skin by just following 5 simple steps!
I was quite surprised when I found out, and despite being mesmerized by the Korean skincare routine, I don’t think I can keep up with it regularly due to my busy schedule. This is what makes Japanese the one for me and perhaps many of you, and as I always say, it’s the simplest version of Korean skincare, which makes it the perfect option. 😀
Nice skin in Japanese skincare, is often described as mochi-hada, or rice cake skin, referring to the very soft and plump Japanese desserts. Japanese skincare emphasizes softness in general. 🙂
I mean, let’s be honest, have you ever wondered how Japanese people appear so youthful? It’s all about good skincare! People do not realize what an essential role good skincare plays in maintaining the appearance of their skin, and by the time they are in their 20s, it is essential to protect their skin from the elements and early ageing. Whatever your gender is, your skin is an important organ that needs to be cared for!
Believe me when I am telling you that J-beauty does not require a lot of steps and you can easily achieve glowing and radiant skin by only following a simple step. And if you are a beginner looking at new ways to explore Asian skincare, then the Japanese one might be your answer.
I’ve already talked about how J-beauty works and compared it with the Korean one. Now it’s time to discuss a simple yet effective Japanese skincare regimen in detail.
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But first, let’s explore the general steps that many Japanese (that have the time and commitment) follow as a general rule of thumb.
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General steps
In general, Japanese skincare involves removing makeup, cleansing, using a “lotion” (more on that soon), treating with a serum, and sealing everything in with a moisturizer in addition to masking regularly.
Thus, the general steps are as follows:
- Step 1: Cleansing. For the Japanese, cleansing is a ritual to be followed with utmost care.
- Additional step: Exfoliate (optional) 1 to 2 times a week is enough
- Step 2: Toner. Cleansing is often not enough to remove all dirt and residue from the skin.
- Step 3: Essence (optional) It enhances the appearance of youthful skin by hydrating it and stimulating cell regeneration. Depending on your skin concern, you can choose from a variety of essences! You can check out the various essences made in Japan here!
- Step 4: Serum. (optional) A serum contains a LOT of active ingredients, so it’s perfect for addressing any particular skin concerns you might have! Check out different types of serums made in Japan here as well!
- Step 5: Moisturizer.
- Step 6: Eye Cream. (optional) The skin around your eyes does not have sebaceous glands to produce natural oils, so it might be beneficial to use an eye cream in this area. Check out various eye creams here
- Step 7: Sunscreen.
Why are there 7-10 steps? You may ask, is it not supposed to be 5 simple steps? Like in the title? Well, let me tell you a quick fact. Care and detail are the core principles of J-beauty, which aims to make your skin clean, hydrated, and radiant. There is a specific purpose for every step, and the order is equally important.
There is no doubt that this is a rather extensive skincare routine – not to mention the possible negative effects of exfoliating your skin every day. It kinda reminds us of Korean skincare which is usually composed of 10+ steps. Therefore, a 10-step beauty routine might be more suitable to follow once or twice a week.
The most important aspect is…..
Japanese skincare emphasizes sun protection, thorough cleaning, and hydrating and moisturizing in multiple layers.
Although skincare routines differ based on individual skin types, we’ll go over five basic steps in Japanese skincare.
5 essential steps in Japanese skincare.
~double cleansing
#1. Oil Cleanser
Oil cleanser removes makeup residues, sunscreen, and sebum from your skin.
#2. Water Cleanser
To complete cleansing, a water cleanser will remove any dirt or impurities left behind, plus hydrate the skin.
~double moisturising
#3. Lotion
It is recommended to apply lotion, also known as a skin conditioner, to the face and leave it there. Their consistency is similar to that of toners. You can soften and hydrate your skin with them.
A good brand which I believe you can start with is the Hada labo gokujyun hyaluronic acid toner; Hadalabo is a highly regarded Japanese skincare brand. It is also incredibly beneficial if you want to keep your skin moisturized with hyaluronic acid. I used to use it before switching to the premium one! As of now, it is working perfectly for me as a moisturiser for various reasons! Nothing to complain about lol! 😀
#4. Moisturizer
A moisturizer does exactly what it says – it hydrates your skin. Make sure you apply them in order from the wateriest to the thickest to seal all the good ingredients in. HADA LABO Goku-jyun cream is one of the best-selling moisturizers in Japan!
#5. Sunscreen
Lastly, apply sunscreen after completing your beauty routine to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. The importance of sun care should not be underestimated, even in the winter!
As long as you follow these steps you are good to go!
What the following steps do is mainly:
1. remove
2. cleanse
3. replenish
4. repair
5. protect
Let’s briefly explain these two terms:
~double cleansing?
Double cleansing, considered a fundamental component of Japanese skincare, involves using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one. Double cleansing removes impurities deeply from the skin.
~double moisturizing?
Double moisturizing involves applying moisture in light layers. Your first step should be to apply a lotion to soften your skin. Next, you should apply moisturizers layer by layer, starting with the thinnest and working your way up. Moisturizing twice ensures the highest level of absorption.
Taking care of your skin does not have to be hard and complicated! On the contrary! Following these 5 simple steps by J-beauty will ensure you a good start towards taking care of your skin! 🙂
