12 Popular Japanese Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin

What’s leading to sensitive skin?

Currently, there is no clear dermatological definition of sensitive skin, but it is often described as a condition where the skin's barrier function is impaired, making it more prone to irritation. Symptoms can include dryness, itching, redness, acne, and a burning sensation.

Causes range from external factors such as dust, UV rays, dry air, and cosmetics to internal factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and irregular lifestyle habits. Particular attention should be paid during pollen dispersal and seasonal changes.

Air conditioning, stress, and other factors that reduce the skin's barrier function are hidden everywhere. Therefore, it is important to lead a healthy and regular lifestyle, not only by moisturizing the skin, but also by eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough sleep each day.

Step-by-step skincare routine

In your skincare routine, it is important to reduce friction to avoid skin irritation and to carefully moisturize and nourish your skin. We recommend choosing skincare products with hypoallergenic formulas, and those containing moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

The basic order of a good skincare routine is face wash, lotion, followed by an emulsion and/or cream. After washing your face and before the skin dries out, pour lotion into the palm of your hand and gently press it over your entire face. Once the lotion is well absorbed into the skin, spread the emulsion over your face with the palm of your hand to keep the moisture in place. Both lotion and emulsion should be applied without rubbing the skin. To enhance moisture retention, gently warm your face with the palms of your hands while applying the lotion.

If you are going to apply a sheet mask or serum, do so after applying lotion and before applying emulsion or cream. The moisture in the lotion will be locked in, and the ingredients in the mask or serum will keep the skin well hydrated.

5 best lotions for sensitive skin

Lotion is an essential step in your skincare routine, protecting the skin from dryness and preparing it for better absorption of the next product. For sensitive skin, it is especially important to choose a lotion with moisturizing properties to replenish moisture and support the skin's barrier function.

Here are some of the top-rated lotions for sensitive skin that have excellent moisturizing properties and are gentle on the skin.

Muji Light Toning Water for Sensitive Skin

Muji's Light Toning Water is a popular product known for its gentleness on the skin and cost-effectiveness. The Light Toning Water for Sensitive Skin, made with fresh water from a natural cave in the ruins of a mine in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, is hypoallergenic and gentle on delicate skin. It provides plenty of moisture and protection for sensitive skin prone to dryness. There are three types: a light type, a moist type, and a deep moisture type. You can choose according to your skin concerns and preferred comfort of use.

D-Program Balance Care Lotion

Cosmetic giant Shiseido's sub-brand D-Program offers skincare and makeup items for sensitive and occasionally sensitive skin, including a highly-efficient base lotion with a hypoallergenic formula for sensitive skin that is gentle and comfortable to use.

There are five types of lotion to choose from based on your skin concerns: "Moist Care Lotion," which prevents dryness and keeps skin moisturized; "Vital Act Lotion," ideal for skin lacking elasticity; "Whitening Clear Lotion," which supports healthy skin renewal and prevents spots and freckles, "Balance Care Lotion," which improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of pores, and "Acne Care Lotion" for preventing adult acne.

Arouge Moisture Mist Lotion

Arouge is a skincare brand created for sensitive skin by Zenyaku Kogyo, a pharmaceutical company specializing in skin disease research. The lotion contains nano-particles of natural ceramide, which are easily absorbed into the skin. Its moisturizing ingredients penetrate deeply into every corner of the outermost layer of the skin.

Among the various types of lotion, Moisture Mist Lotion II is recommended for those who are concerned about dryness and flakiness. Its fine, gentle mist permeates the skin, hydrating it deeply down to the outermost layer of the skin. It is also perfect for refreshing your skin over makeup during the day when dryness is a concern.

Arouge Skin Trouble Care Liquid is highly recommended for addressing issues like redness, coarseness, cracked skin, and other skin problems.

Minon Amino Moist "Moist Charge Lotion"

The Minon Amino Moist skincare series was created to address skin problems caused by cosmetic allergies. It provides gentle, effective care that improves the skin’s appearance while adhering to hypoallergenic formulas.

Moist Charge Lotion II "Super Moist Type" is a moisturizing lotion with a thick texture. On Wamazing Shop, you can get a trial set tax-free that includes a moisturizing emulsion and UV makeup base in addition to the lotion.

For those who are concerned about both dry and oily skin, the Minon Amino Moist Sensitive/Combination Skin Line Trial Set is also available.

Saeru Whitening Lotion Concentrate

Decencia's highly moisturizing whitening series "Saeru" is rooted in research on sensitive skin. The Whitening Lotion Concentrate replenishes lost ceramide with human-type ceramide that has the same structure found in the skin, providing deep hydration. Its skin-friendly texture easily penetrates even rough skin. Additionally, it contains the active whitening ingredient "arbutin," which suppresses melanin production to prevent spots and promote a brighter, more translucent complexion.

5 best emulsions for sensitive skin

Emulsions help seal in moisture after applying lotion or other hydrating products, preventing it from evaporating and replenishing the skin's natural oils. They also soften the outermost layer of the skin and are essential for effective moisturizing. Spare no effort and take good care of your sensitive skin with an emulsion that suits your skin.

Curél Intensive Moisture Care Milky Lotion

The Curél brand was developed in consideration for dry, sensitive skin, based on extensive dermatological research. The Moisture Face Milk is part of this skincare series that focuses on hydrating care by protecting and replenishing ceramides. It deeply moisturizes the skin, keeping it hydrated and less prone to roughness caused by external factors.

On WAmazing Shop, you can purchase the Moisturizing Face Care Set II Moist Type tax-free. This trial skincare set of moisture facial lotion and facial milk is ideal for dry, sensitive skin that repeatedly becomes rough and flaky.

D-Program Emulsion

To achieve hydrated and flawless skin, D-Program offers five types of emulsions tailored to different skin concerns, in addition to the aforementioned lotions.

The "Moist Care Emulsion" prevents dryness, the "Vital Act Emulsion" adds moisture to lackluster skin, the "Whitening Clear Emulsion" addresses spots and freckles, the "Balance Care Emulsion" improves the appearance of pores, and the "Acne Care Emulsion" helps prevent acne. Use these emulsions together with the toner. Those milky lotions are ideal for those whose skin feels sensitive or experience recurring skin problems due to seasonal changes.

Minon Amino Moist "Medicated Acne Care Milk"

Minon Amino Moist products are available for three different skin types: sensitive/dry skin, sensitive/combination skin, and sensitive/aging skin. Among them, the Medicated Acne Care Milk is a moisturizing emulsion recommended for combination skin that is both dry and oily. It helps moisture and oil levels, replenishing both to keep your skin in optimal condition.

It contains amino acids and botanical active ingredients to prevent rough skin and acne. Its non-sticky, milk-type formula with long-lasting hydration softens the skin and improves its texture.

Ihada Medicated Emulsion

Ihada by Shiseido is a skincare brand focused on treating facial skin problems. Its hypoallergenic formulation is gentle enough for children, while its comfortable texture, compact packaging, and simple design make it easy to use and carry.

Ihada Medicated Emulsion contains two anti-irritation active ingredients along with highly purified petrolatum to help prevent dryness and other skin issues.

Clearful Moisture

Orbis' Clearful products are gentle on the skin and are a popular choice for acne care. The formula is safe for sensitive skin, and addresses the cause of acne, which is the deterioration of the skin's barrier function, while also improving the appearance of pores.

The Clearful Moisture series, a milky lotion available in both refreshing and moist formulations to suit different skin types, helps maintain the skin's barrier function and keeps it hydrated. It improves skin texture, leaving you with a fresh, clean complexion and minimized pores.

2 best sheet masks for sensitive skin

Sheet masks are designed as special care for particular skin concerns. They cover the skin, which enhances the moisturizing effect and allows the ingredients to penetrate more deeply. The sheet masks introduced below are enriched with beauty essences and moisturizing ingredients, offering a more luxurious alternative to basic care. They are fragrance-free and colorant-free, making them suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Curél Moisture Repair Sheet Mask

The Curél Moisture Repair Sheet Mask is made for dry, sensitive skin. By using this mask you are applying the equivalent of about three times the amount of lotion of the same series at one time, allowing for more intensive ceramide care. In addition to its hypoallergenic formula, it contains an anti-inflammatory agent to help prevent skin irritation.

The plant-based sheet mask is gentle to the skin and features a unique sheet design that moisturizes every corner of the face. There are parts on the sheet that can be removed and applied to the sides of the nose, around the eyes and mouth, and other areas where gaps might be an issue. While it can be used daily depending on your skin condition, the recommended frequency is once or twice a week.

D-Program Mask QQ

The Mask QQ by D-Program is a moisturizing mask that contains the serum and sheet separately to reduce skin irritation. Pour the serum into the bag containing the masking sheet just before use. When the sheet is covered with sufficient liquid, remove it from the bag and adhere it to the entire face. In about three minutes, the skin is enveloped in moisture and unraveled, leading to soft, fine-textured skin. It can be used anytime after applying lotion or when you are concerned with skin dryness.

Buy the best skincare items for sensitive skin tax-free on WAmazing Shop

Buy popular lotions, emulsions, and sheet masks for sensitive skin tax-free on WAmazing Shop. In addition to skincare products, you’ll also find snacks, cosmetics, sundries, baby products, and more. Ordering before your trip not only saves you the trouble of searching for items, but also simplifies the tax-free process. Enjoy your trip to Japan more efficiently and economically.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.