You’ve seen some Japanese women and thought ‘what are they doing to look so young?’ ‘Why do they have such beautiful skin? 

It’s definitely their skincare. The 5 essential Japanese skincare steps.

Japanese women have long been following the typical steps of Japanese skincare for generations. 

I’m Japanese (born & raised) and I learned the steps from my mother and started my journey at the age of 13. Now 38, I’m so glad I started early!

This article is a beginner’s guide to Japanese skincare, and I’m going to break it down to simple steps. 

By the end of the article, you’ll be ready to start your Japanese skincare routine and one step closer to getting radiant and glowing skin like Japanese! Let’s get to it! 

The 5 Basic Japanese Skincare Steps

There are 5 steps in the basic Japanese skincare routine.

1. Remove
2. Cleanse
3. Replenish
4. Repair
5. Protect

Step 1. Remove

The first step is to remove makeup. If you don’t wear makeup, you can skip this step. 

The key is to separate the eye and the rest. The skin around the eyes is very delicate, so you need to be gentle and use a remover for eye makeup.

[Eyes]

• Choose a product that is gentle on the eyes
• Use high-quality cotton pads and cotton swabs

I’ve been using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for this step for over 15 years. I have yet to find any better product that is as gentle as this. 

 courtesy of brand

I was introduced to this French cult product when I was a model. Many makeup artists and models swear by it too!

[Face]

In Japan, oil cleansers are very popular. There is a cult oil cleanser in Japan that has been ranking No.1 for decades. It’s from a Japanese brand called FANCL. EVERY woman in Japan knows the FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil. 

 courtesy of brand

A bottle gets sold every 4 seconds! I’ve been using it for over 15 years. I’ve used Shu Uemura, DHC and other brands’ cleansing oils but I always come back to FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil because it’s most gentle and yet it works so well!

Step 2. Cleanse

After removing makeup, the next step is to cleanse your face. It involves removing sebum and dirt which you cannot remove with makeup removers.

I use a foaming face wash from a Japanese brand Curél. Their products are designed to suit sensitive skin and very mild. Fragrance-Free, alcohol-free, pH-balanced. You can read more on Curél here on the official site.

 courtesy of brand

J-Beauty Tip:

• Create a big foam (I mean really BIG)
• Don’t rub your face but let the big foam roll on your face
• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water (approx. 30°C/86F)

Step 3. Replenish

After cleansing your face, your skin is easy to dry out with skin’s natural oil stripped out. It’s time to replenish by toning and moisturising.

This step is UNIQUE to Japanese skincare. We use lotions in this step. (Similar to toners or essences but not the same). 

✤ Related post✤  What is Japanese Lotion? An Absolute MUST Step in the Japanese Skincare Routine

If you are new to Japanese lotions, you can start with the best selling lotion “naturie’s Hatomugi Skin Conditioner” in Japan below!  

 courtesy of brand

I never ever skip this step in my skincare routine. Neither other Japanese women. This is an absolute must step in the traditional Japanese skincare routine.

Step 4. Repair

After you’ve conditioned the skin with a lotion, it’s time to prevent or repair skin troubles like dry skin, wrinkles and acne etc. with a serum.

If you don’t have any particular skin concerns, you can skip this step.

Personally, I tend to struggle with acne from stress, so I’m using a serum for acne marks (below). It’s called Melano CC Anti-Spot Vitamin C Essence.

 courtesy of brand

It’s Amazon Japan’s best selling serum, and many Japanese women rave about the effectiveness!

STEP 5. Protect

Finally, it’s time to put a seal on the skin, so your skin stays hydrated. Use a cream or oil of your choice. 

When choosing one, think of the texture, weight and any particular skin concern you want to tackle. For example, if you have trouble with acne, you may want to choose one that is light and effective for acne.

I personally use Curél’s Intensive Moisuture Cream for sensitive skin. The same brand as my face wash.

courtesy of brand

It’s very gentle on my skin and yet my skin stays moisturised all day long – love it!

Summary

That’s it! The simple 5 steps.

The 5 Essential Japanese Skincare Steps:

1. Remove
2. Cleanse
3. Replenish
4. Repair
5. Protect

This is the basic principle of Japanese skincare.

Japanese women add special cares (face masks, exfoliators, boosters) as and when necessary.

Here’s a complete guide if you want to know each step in more detail.

✤ Related read ✤ The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Skincare Routine

The 5 steps are the principle of Japanese skincare and Japanese women have been following for many generations.

Just follow the 5 essential Japanese skincare steps and you are one step closer to get flawless skin like Japanese 😉

Please feel free to reach out if you need any help with the steps! Enjoy x