Cosmetics and skincare Recommendation Service
Top 23 Best Japanese Moisturizers in 2020 - Tried and True! (Minon, FANCL, and More)
Last time, we talked about toners. Now, we move on to the next step in the Japanese skincare routine: moisturizers and face lotions. Face lotions are important–they are, if you remember, the lid that seals your toner in. And, just like in America, in Japan, we have our high-end and drugstore brands, our revolutionary products, and dupes.
We thought it was high time someone separated the wheat from the chaff. That’s why we ordered the 23 most popular moisturizers and face lotions from Japan’s e-commerce giants (such as Amazon, Rakuten, and @cosme) and tested them all. We also invited a skincare specialist and had her compare the following:
1. Hydration
2. Application
This is how we tested and found the most exceptional Japanese moisturizers and face lotions. We also talk about the difference between lotion and cream at the very end of the article–be sure not to miss it.
We thought it was high time someone separated the wheat from the chaff. That’s why we ordered the 23 most popular moisturizers and face lotions from Japan’s e-commerce giants (such as Amazon, Rakuten, and @cosme) and tested them all. We also invited a skincare specialist and had her compare the following:
1. Hydration
2. Application
This is how we tested and found the most exceptional Japanese moisturizers and face lotions. We also talk about the difference between lotion and cream at the very end of the article–be sure not to miss it.
- Last updated: 07-06-2020
- 34,363 views
Table of Contents
Top 23 Best Japanese Moisturizers and Face Lotions
We picked out 23 of the most popular products and tested them for the following: how well it moisturized our skin and how it felt to apply.
Then, based on how they performed on our tests, we graded and ranked the top 23 Japanese face lotions and moisturizers available online. Japanese prices for some of the products are given; they’ve merely been converted into USD for easy viewing.
1
MINONAmino Moist Moist Charge Milk
$15.53
| Japanese | 第一三共ヘルスケア ミノンアミノモイスト 保温乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | A+ |
| Application | A |
| Overall score | A+ |
2
Sofinajenne Moisturizing Gel Lotion for Combination Skin
$30.09
| Japanese | 花王 ソフィーナ ジェンヌ 混合肌のための高保湿ジェル乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | A+ |
| Overall score | A+ |
3
OrbisAqua Force White Moisture-M
$27.81
| Japanese | ORBIS アクアフォース ホワイトモイスチャー（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | A |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | A |
4
Juju CosmeticsAquamoist Fermented Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion
$5.10
| Hydration | A |
|---|---|
| Application | B |
| Overall Score | A |
5
Sofinabeauté Moisturizing Lotion Super Moist
$26.71
| Japanese | 花王 ソフィーナボーテ 高保湿乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | A |
| Overall score | A |
6
ArougeMoist Treatment Gel
$25.07
| Japanese | アルージェ モイスト トリートメント ジェル |
|---|---|
| Hydration | A |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | A |
7
epistemeday moisture emulsion a
$129.11
| Japanese | ロート製薬 エピステーム デイモイスチュアエマルジョンa |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | A |
| Overall score | A |
8
KikumasamuneNihonshu no Nyueki – Sake Lotion
$5.90
| Japanese | 菊正宗酒造 日本酒の乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | A |
| Application | D |
| Overall score | A |
9
TransinoMedicated Whitening Clear Milk
$32.75
| Japanese | 第一三共ヘルスケア トランシーノ 薬用ホワイトニングクリアミルク（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | B |
10
FANCLMoist Refine Emulsion II
$13.34
| Japanese | FANCL モイストリファイン 乳液IIしっとり |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | B |
11
AqualabelWhite Up Emulsion II
$12.53
| Japanese | 資生堂ジャパン アクアレーベル ホワイトアップ エマルジョン（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | B |
12
ceracollaMoisture Milk
$7.10
| Japanese | 明色化粧品 セラコラ 保湿乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | B |
13
d programMoist Care Emulsion R
$30.94
| Japanese | d プログラム モイストケア エマルジョン R |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | B |
14
d programBalance Care Emulsion R II
$30.34
| Japanese | d プログラム バランスケア エマルジョン R 2（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | B |
15
Nameraka HonpoSoymilk Isoflavone Lotion
$11.94
| Japanese | 常盤薬品工業 なめらか本舗 乳液 |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | B |
| Overall score | B |
16
estthe emulsion II
$98.71
| Japanese | est エスト ザ エマルジョン II |
|---|---|
| Hydration | B |
| Application | D |
| Overall score | C |
17
ELIXIRREFLET Balancing Oshiroi Milk
$15.55
| Japanese | ELIXIR REFLET バランシング おしろいミルク |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | C |
19
Hada LaboShirojyun Premium with White Tranexamic Acid & Vitamin C Medicated Whitening Lotion
$9.38
| Japanese | ロート製薬 肌ラボ 白潤プレミアム（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | C |
20
MujiMoisturizing Milk Moisture
$9.29
| Japanese | 無印良品 乳液・敏感肌用 しっとりタイプ |
|---|---|
| Hydration | C |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | C |
21
KoseLECHÉRI Lift Glow Emulsion II
$25.05
| Japanese | コーセー ルシェリ リフトグロウ エマルジョン |
|---|---|
| Hydration | D |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | D |
22
AstaliftEmulsion
$35.64
| Japanese | FUJIFILM アスタリフト エマルジョン |
|---|---|
| Hydration | D |
| Application | C |
| Overall score | D |
23
Sofinajenne Moisturizing UV Lotion for Combination Skin
$29.99
| Japanese | 花王 ソフィーナ ジェンヌ 混肌のための高保湿UV乳液（医薬部外品） |
|---|---|
| Hydration | D |
| Application | D |
| Overall score | D |
Compare the Best Japanese Moisturizers and Face Lotions
| Image | 1  MINON | 2  Sofina | 3  Orbis | 4  Juju Cosmetics | 5  Sofina | 6  Arouge | 7  episteme | 8  Kikumasamune | 9  Transino | 10  FANCL | 11  Aqualabel | 12  ceracolla | 13  d program | 14  d program | 15  Nameraka Honpo | 16  est | 17  ELIXIR | 18  cutura | 19  Hada Labo | 20  Muji | 21  Kose | 22  Astalift | 23  Sofina |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Amino Moist Moist Charge Milk | jenne Moisturizing Gel Lotion for Combination Skin | Aqua Force White Moisture-M | Aquamoist Fermented Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion | beauté Moisturizing Lotion Super Moist | Moist Treatment Gel | day moisture emulsion a | Nihonshu no Nyueki – Sake Lotion | Medicated Whitening Clear Milk | Moist Refine Emulsion II | White Up Emulsion II | Moisture Milk | Moist Care Emulsion R | Balance Care Emulsion R II | Soymilk Isoflavone Lotion | the emulsion II | REFLET Balancing Oshiroi Milk | Milky Lotion | Shirojyun Premium with White Tranexamic Acid & Vitamin C Medicated Whitening Lotion | Moisturizing Milk Moisture | LECHÉRI Lift Glow Emulsion II | Emulsion | jenne Moisturizing UV Lotion for Combination Skin |
| Features | Pretty Astounding When it Comes to Hydration! The Ultimate Drugstore Lotion | We’re Obsessed With This Lotion and Its Refreshing Scent of Spring | A See-Through Gel That’s a Bit Slimy but Also Super Hydrating | Worth Way More than Its Price Tag. Serious Hydration, as Long as You Can Get Over the Tackiness | Soft Scent of Dew-Covered Petals. Moisturizes Your Skin, Leaving it Soft, if a Bit Tacky | Lightweight Formula, but Still Manages to Be Incredibly Moisturizing | Makes Skin Feel Smooth and Soft–Shame it Doesn’t Actually Hydrate | Best Quality for the Price; Serviceable as Long as You Don’t Mind the Smell of Sake | Bit Sticky upon Application, but Skin Feels Hydrated After it’s Set | Spreads Easily and Absorbs Readily into Skin; Hydration is Average | Refreshing Both in Scent (Minty) and Texture (Light) | Hydrating, but Thick and Leaves a Sticky Residue | It’s Meant for Dry Skin, but It’s Not That Moisturizing... | Smells a Bit like Alcohol; Won’t be Enough to Quench Dehydrated Skin | Light and Silky; Worth a Try if You Aren’t Picky About Skincare | We’ll Take the Stickiness, but We Can’t Take the Smell | Felt Light on Skin; Will Work Well as a UV Base | Bottle Keeps Its Contents from Oxidizing; We Just Can’t Get Over the Medicinal Smell | Will Probably Help With Whitening, but Feels Quite Sticky | We Don’t Mind the Tackiness That Much, but the Cap Doesn’t Want to be Opened | Can’t Expect Much Hydration; Packaging’s a Hit or Miss | Why is it So Tacky When it Doesn’t Even Moisturize? | Closer to Sunscreen Than Lotion |
| Price | $15.53 | $30.09 | $27.81 | $5.10 | $26.71 | $25.07 | $129.11 | $5.90 | $32.75 | $13.34 | $12.53 | $7.10 | $30.94 | $30.34 | $11.94 | $98.71 | $15.55 | $12.51 | $9.38 | $9.29 | $25.05 | $35.64 | $29.99 |
| Japanese | 第一三共ヘルスケア ミノンアミノモイスト 保温乳液 | 花王 ソフィーナ ジェンヌ 混合肌のための高保湿ジェル乳液 | ORBIS アクアフォース ホワイトモイスチャー（医薬部外品） | A | 花王 ソフィーナボーテ 高保湿乳液 | アルージェ モイスト トリートメント ジェル | ロート製薬 エピステーム デイモイスチュアエマルジョンa | 菊正宗酒造 日本酒の乳液 | 第一三共ヘルスケア トランシーノ 薬用ホワイトニングクリアミルク（医薬部外品） | FANCL モイストリファイン 乳液IIしっとり | 資生堂ジャパン アクアレーベル ホワイトアップ エマルジョン（医薬部外品） | 明色化粧品 セラコラ 保湿乳液 | d プログラム モイストケア エマルジョン R | d プログラム バランスケア エマルジョン R 2（医薬部外品） | 常盤薬品工業 なめらか本舗 乳液 | est エスト ザ エマルジョン II | ELIXIR REFLET バランシング おしろいミルク | キュチュラ とろ～り乳液 | ロート製薬 肌ラボ 白潤プレミアム（医薬部外品） | 無印良品 乳液・敏感肌用 しっとりタイプ | コーセー ルシェリ リフトグロウ エマルジョン | FUJIFILM アスタリフト エマルジョン | 花王 ソフィーナ ジェンヌ 混肌のための高保湿UV乳液（医薬部外品） |
| Hydration | A+ | B | A | B | B | A | C | A | B | B | B | B | C | C | C | B | C | C | C | C | D | D | D |
| Application | A | A+ | B | A | A | C | A | D | B | B | C | C | B | B | B | D | C | C | C | C | C | C | D |
| Overall score | A+ | A+ | A | A | A | A | A | B | B | B | B | B | B | B | C | C | C | C | C | D | D | D | |
| Link |
Introducing the Expert Who Lent Us Her Knowledge
〈Aiko Kawakami〉
Skincare Specialist
She's a skincare specialist who's got over 20,000 consultations under her belt. She approaches skin with a combination of scientific evidence and experience, using her knowledge of dermatology and cosmetic ingredients to help women become even more beautiful, down to their fingertips. She's the representative of the board of directors over at ANSEM (Association of Nail & Skin Experts Maestro) and an instructor at the JCLA (Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association). She's also made numerous media appearances.
Skincare Specialist
She's a skincare specialist who's got over 20,000 consultations under her belt. She approaches skin with a combination of scientific evidence and experience, using her knowledge of dermatology and cosmetic ingredients to help women become even more beautiful, down to their fingertips. She's the representative of the board of directors over at ANSEM (Association of Nail & Skin Experts Maestro) and an instructor at the JCLA (Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association). She's also made numerous media appearances.
How We Tested the Moisturizers and Face Lotions
We tried out each of the 24 products and tested them for how hydrating they were and how easy they were to apply. Then we gave each one a final grade.
Test ① Hydration
First and foremost, we looked at hydration. We used a moisture analyzer and compared the state of our skin before application to its state eight hours after application.
Glycerin-Based Lotions were Usually Moisturizing
Products that did well on this test had one thing in common: they counted glycerin among the first few ingredients listed. And many of these top performers combined glycerin with BG. It backed up our claim that formulations featuring those two ingredients tend to be the most moisturizing.
But because ultra hydrating lotions all had glycerin in them, they were also dense and heavy in texture.
Test ② Application
Next, we tried applying the lotions. We gathered up a few volunteers from several departments and had them talk about things like the fragrance and texture of the lotions, as well as whether the packaging was well-designed.
Wet and Dense Lotions Felt More Moisturizing
It was a surprise, but we leaned heavily towards thicker lotions–so dense that they didn’t drip or run from our hands. We can’t deny that they were tacky, but they also left our faces feeling dewy after application. We could tell that our skin was being hydrated.
We were also partial towards lotions with fragrances, rather than without. It may just be a moisturizer, but you can’t discount scent. There were products that smelled of alcohol or products with scents specific to certain brands, but in general, we liked light and refreshing florals.
And, though this is often overlooked, you want a bottle that is neither too big nor too small, but rather snugly fits into your hand.
How to Choose Japanese Moisturizer and Face Lotion – Buying Guide
We’ll get into how we tested and compared all the products, but first we’d like to introduce two things you should look out for when choosing face lotion.
Choose Something That Will Hydrate Your Skin Properly
First order of business: make sure the lotion is actually hydrating. Think of facial lotion like a lid that seals moisture into your skin. How it performs thus determines the health of your skin, at least to a certain extent.
The First Thing You Should Do is Look for Hydrating Ingredients
It might be a drag, but read the ingredients list. That’s the most readily available indicator of how moisturizing a lotion is. The following are ingredients that are deemed effective in Japan.
- BG: Also known as Butylene Glycol or 1,3-Butanediol. Slightly thick and sticky in texture. Can also be used as a preservative. So popular as a moisturizing ingredient that we’ve experienced supply shortages.
- DPG: Also known as Dipropylene Glycol. Has similar properties to BG. A humectant often used as a substitute.
- Glycerin: Quite thick and sticky in texture. Extremely moisturizing and feels wet upon application.
Then Look at How the Ingredients are Combined
It’s not the ingredients that make the lotion; it’s the overall formulation. A lotion’s ability to moisturize changes depending on how ingredients are combined, so you can’t just think, "Oh, because these certain ingredients are at the top of the list, this lotion will definitely be hydrating."
Generally speaking, the following combinations are said to be the most hydrating.
- Glycerin and BG
- Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate
- Concentrated Glycerin and Trehalose
Looking at this, you can probably tell how effective glycerin is. We also checked for hydration during our tests, so look out for the scores.
Skincare Specialist
Aiko Kawakami
Find Something That Makes You Feel Good When You Apply It
You also want to figure out what textures you like and choose a lotion that fits your preferences. You could buy something that’s been showered in SNS fanfare and glowing reviews, but if you can’t stand how sticky it is, then you’re not going to be using it for long. And skincare, like exercise, only works as long as you keep it up.
Unfortunately, the more ultra-moisturizing ingredients–like glycerin and beeswax–are in a lotion, the tackier it tends to be. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, try products that are packed with ingredients like BG, which is lighter than glycerin.
Skincare Specialist
Aiko Kawakami
What’s the Difference Between Cream and Lotion?
There’s people out there that use cream in place of lotion, but do you know the difference between them?
The greatest difference between lotion and cream is oil content. Both are largely made up of water and oil, but cream contains more oil, while lotion contains more water.
Therefore, at night, when you should be going for heavier skincare, we recommend using creams; while on busy mornings, when you need something that’s going to absorb quickly into the skin, use lotion. After all, what kind of product you need always depends on your particular situation.
Skincare Specialist
Aiko Kawakami
Have You Got All the Steps of Your Skincare Routine Down?
It’s not a routine if it doesn’t have multiple steps, right? Japanese skincare often starts with a cleanser, then facewash, then toner, essence, lotion, and finally cream. Learn more about these other products below.
Summary
Upon testing, the author had the following to say: "I tried all the products, but what surprised me the most was that, out of our top three, two were gels. I actually have combination skin, so I want to try more of Sofina’s lotion, which finished in second and smelled amazing."
Be sure to keep the tips and tricks we talked about today in the back of your mind, so you can find a lotion that will keep you smooth and hydrated, regardless of the time of year or age of your skin.
Author: Yukina Matsuda/Translation: Jasmine Li/Photos: Koichi Miura, Yoshio Yoshida
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