If you've looked up anything about the Japanese skincare routine, you'll certainly have stumbled across emulsions. Known as nyu-eki (乳液) in Japanese, they're also often translated as emulsions, milky lotions, face milks, or simply called Japanese moisturizer.
In short, the greatest difference between emulsions and cream is oil content. Both are largely made up of water and oil, but cream contains more oil, while emulsions contain more water.
Image | 1 ![]() Attenir | 2 ![]() Kao | 3 ![]() Shiseido | 4 ![]() Matsuyama Yushi | 5 ![]() Shiseido | 6 ![]() Shiseido | 7 ![]() DHC | 8 ![]() Rohto | 9 ![]() Shiseido | 10 ![]() Shiseido |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Dress Lift Day Emulsion | Curél Moisture Face Milk | ELIXIR Lifting Moisture Emulsion II | Moisturizing Emulsion | Clé de Peau Beauté Intensive Fortifying Emulsion | Aqualabel Bouncing Care Milk | Nomitsu Urumi Hada Moisturizing Emulsion | CareCera AP Face and Body Emulsion | ELIXIR Reflet Balancing Milk II | d Program Moist Care Emulsion MB |
Features | Hardly No Moisture Evaporation With Plenty of Beautifying Ingredients | Great on Sensitive Skin, and a Smooth Texture | A Highly Moisturizing Emulsion that Protects the Skin from Dryness | A Gentle Emulsion With Highly Moisturizing Ingredients | Best Emulsion to Keep Your Skin Hydrated Overnight | An Affordable and Effective Moisturizer, but Divisive Fragrance | Not Thick Enough for Dry Skin, but Long-Lasting Hydration | An Emulsion With Effective Ingredients but a Heavier Texture | Best for Dry Weather | Greatly Moisturizing With a Light Texture |
Price | $43.00 | $30.00 | $59.82 | $29.74 | $180.00 | $17.92 | $6.70 | $32.46 | $27.33 | $64.56 |
Japanese | アテニア ドレスリフト デイエマルジョン | 花王 キュレル 潤浸保湿 乳液 | 資生堂 エリクシール シュペリエル リフトモイスト エマルジョン TII | 松山油脂 肌をうるおす 保湿乳液 | 資生堂インターナショナル クレ・ド・ポー ボーテ エマルションアンタンシヴn | 資生堂 アクアレーベル バウンシングケア ミルク | DHC 濃密うるみ肌 乳液もっちり | ロート製薬 ケアセラ AP フェイス&ボディ乳液 | 資生堂 エリクシール ルフレ バランシング ミルク Ⅱ | 資生堂 dプログラム モイストケア エマルジョン MB |
Volume | 60ml | 120ml | 130ml | 95ml | 125ml | 130ml | 150ml | 200ml | 130ml | 100ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Glycerin, betaine, BG, jojoba seed oil, macadamia seed oil, di-lauroyl glutamate (octyldodecyl/phytosteryl/ behenyl), hydrolyzed collagen, succinoyl atelocollagen, raffinose, glycosyl trehalose | Glycerin, Squalane, Hexadecyloxy PG Hydroxyethyl Hexadecanamide, Eucalyptus Extract, Long Chain Dibasic Acid Bis 3-Methoxypropylamide | 1,3-butylene glycol, concentrated glycerin, α-olefin oligomer, water-soluble collagen (F), yeast extract, glyceryl tri2-ethylhexanoate, martitol | Tri (caprylic acid / capric acid) glyceryl, glycerin, squalane, BG, raffinose, soybean seed extract, ceramide 3, soybean oil, ceramide 1, ceramide 2, ceramide 6II, soybean sterol, soybean fermented extract, hybrid sunflower oil, rice bran oil, ceramide 5 | α-olefin oligomer, vaseline, cetyl 2-ethylhexanate, acetylated sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed conchiolin solution, trehalose, glycine, L-serine, L-theanine, carrot extract, hydrolyzed silk solution, DL-α-acetate tocopherol, ectoin | 1,3-butylene glycol, concentrated glycerin, alpha-olefin oligomer, vaseline, sodium hyaluronate(2), water-soluble collagen(F), N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid di(phytosteryl-2-octyldodecyl), royal jelly ferment, retinol palmitate, DL-methionine | Tri(caprylic/capric) glyceryl, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, BG, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetyl hyaluronate, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed alkyl(C12-13)glyceryl hyaluronate | Glycerin, Vaseline, BG, Mineral Oil, Cholesterol, Triethylhexanoate, Ceramide 3, Pentylene Glycol, Lanolin, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 6II, Ceramide EOS, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Dihydroxyl Lignocelluloyl Phytosphingosine | Glycerin, BG, DPG, PCA-Na, triethylhexanoin, glycylglycine, di lauroyl glutamate (phytosteryl / octyldodecyl), lysine HCI, water-soluble collagen | Concentrated glycerin, α-olefin oligomer, petrolatum, yeast extract (3), acetylated sodium hyaluronate, xylit, trehalose, erythritol |
Active ingredients | N/A | Allantoin | Tranexamic acid | N/A | Tranexamic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid potassium salt | Tranexamic acid | N/A | N/A | N/A | Tranexamic acid, glycyrrhizic acid 2K |
Container | Pump | Pump | Bottle | Bottle | Pump | Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Pump |
Cotton pad required | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Best for | All skin types | Dry skin, sensitive skin | Normal skin | Combination skin, oily skin | Dry skin | Dry skin | Regular skin, slightly dry skin | Dry skin, regular skin | Dry skin, normal skin | Dry skin, sensitive skin |
Other features | Alcohol-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, allergy tested | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, allergy tested, patch tested | Allergy tested | Alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, paraben-free, pigment-free, fragrance-free | Non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested | N/A | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, paraben-free | Fragrance-free, paraben-free, patch tested | Non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested, patch tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.3 |
Ingredients | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
Feel | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
Overall score | 4.43 | 4.02 | 3.99 | 3.98 | 3.95 | 3.95 | 3.93 | 3.93 | 3.88 | 3.87 |
Link |
We picked out 10 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 10 best 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.
$43.00
Japanese | アテニア ドレスリフト デイエマルジョン |
---|---|
Volume | 60ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Glycerin, betaine, BG, jojoba seed oil, macadamia seed oil, di-lauroyl glutamate (octyldodecyl/phytosteryl/ behenyl), hydrolyzed collagen, succinoyl atelocollagen, raffinose, glycosyl trehalose |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Pump |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | All skin types |
Other features | Alcohol-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, allergy tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 4.3 |
Feel | 3.7 |
Overall score | 4.43 |
$30.00
Japanese | 花王 キュレル 潤浸保湿 乳液 |
---|---|
Volume | 120ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Glycerin, Squalane, Hexadecyloxy PG Hydroxyethyl Hexadecanamide, Eucalyptus Extract, Long Chain Dibasic Acid Bis 3-Methoxypropylamide |
Active ingredients | Allantoin |
Container | Pump |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Dry skin, sensitive skin |
Other features | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, allergy tested, patch tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.6 |
Feel | 3.8 |
Overall score | 4.02 |
$59.82
Japanese | 資生堂 エリクシール シュペリエル リフトモイスト エマルジョン TII |
---|---|
Volume | 130ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | 1,3-butylene glycol, concentrated glycerin, α-olefin oligomer, water-soluble collagen (F), yeast extract, glyceryl tri2-ethylhexanoate, martitol |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | Yes |
Best for | Normal skin |
Other features | Allergy tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.5 |
Feel | 4.0 |
Overall score | 3.99 |
$29.74
Japanese | 松山油脂 肌をうるおす 保湿乳液 |
---|---|
Volume | 95ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Tri (caprylic acid / capric acid) glyceryl, glycerin, squalane, BG, raffinose, soybean seed extract, ceramide 3, soybean oil, ceramide 1, ceramide 2, ceramide 6II, soybean sterol, soybean fermented extract, hybrid sunflower oil, rice bran oil, ceramide 5 |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Combination skin, oily skin |
Other features | Alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, paraben-free, pigment-free, fragrance-free |
Moisturizing ability | 4.3 |
Ingredients | 3.8 |
Feel | 4.1 |
Overall score | 3.98 |
$180.00
Japanese | 資生堂インターナショナル クレ・ド・ポー ボーテ エマルションアンタンシヴn |
---|---|
Volume | 125ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | α-olefin oligomer, vaseline, cetyl 2-ethylhexanate, acetylated sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed conchiolin solution, trehalose, glycine, L-serine, L-theanine, carrot extract, hydrolyzed silk solution, DL-α-acetate tocopherol, ectoin |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid potassium salt |
Container | Pump |
Cotton pad required | Yes |
Best for | Dry skin |
Other features | Non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.4 |
Feel | 4.1 |
Overall score | 3.95 |
$17.92
Japanese | 資生堂 アクアレーベル バウンシングケア ミルク |
---|---|
Volume | 130ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | 1,3-butylene glycol, concentrated glycerin, alpha-olefin oligomer, vaseline, sodium hyaluronate(2), water-soluble collagen(F), N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid di(phytosteryl-2-octyldodecyl), royal jelly ferment, retinol palmitate, DL-methionine |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Dry skin |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.5 |
Feel | 3.7 |
Overall score | 3.95 |
$6.70
Japanese | DHC 濃密うるみ肌 乳液もっちり |
---|---|
Volume | 150ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Tri(caprylic/capric) glyceryl, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, BG, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetyl hyaluronate, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed alkyl(C12-13)glyceryl hyaluronate |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Regular skin, slightly dry skin |
Other features | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, paraben-free |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.4 |
Feel | 4.1 |
Overall score | 3.93 |
$32.46
Japanese | ロート製薬 ケアセラ AP フェイス&ボディ乳液 |
---|---|
Volume | 200ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Glycerin, Vaseline, BG, Mineral Oil, Cholesterol, Triethylhexanoate, Ceramide 3, Pentylene Glycol, Lanolin, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 6II, Ceramide EOS, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Dihydroxyl Lignocelluloyl Phytosphingosine |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Dry skin, regular skin |
Other features | Fragrance-free, paraben-free, patch tested |
Moisturizing ability | 4.3 |
Ingredients | 3.8 |
Feel | 3.7 |
Overall score | 3.93 |
$27.33
Japanese | 資生堂 エリクシール ルフレ バランシング ミルク Ⅱ |
---|---|
Volume | 130ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Glycerin, BG, DPG, PCA-Na, triethylhexanoin, glycylglycine, di lauroyl glutamate (phytosteryl / octyldodecyl), lysine HCI, water-soluble collagen |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Cotton pad required | Yes |
Best for | Dry skin, normal skin |
Other features | Non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested |
Moisturizing ability | 5.0 |
Ingredients | 3.4 |
Feel | 3.6 |
Overall score | 3.88 |
$64.56
Japanese | 資生堂 dプログラム モイストケア エマルジョン MB |
---|---|
Volume | 100ml |
Main moisturizing ingredients | Concentrated glycerin, α-olefin oligomer, petrolatum, yeast extract (3), acetylated sodium hyaluronate, xylit, trehalose, erythritol |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid, glycyrrhizic acid 2K |
Container | Pump |
Cotton pad required | No |
Best for | Dry skin, sensitive skin |
Other features | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pigment-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic tested, allergy tested, patch tested |
Moisturizing ability | 4.3 |
Ingredients | 3.5 |
Feel | 4.0 |
Overall score | 3.87 |
We tried out each of the 10 products and tested them for the following:
Each product was then given a score out of 5 for each test. Final scores were calculated based on average scores.
First, let's talk about moisturizing ability, which is definitely one of the crucial elements in choosing the right emulsion.
To test this, we applied a prescribed amount of product on the inside of our tester’s arms and measured moisture levels using a special machine known as a Corneometer. We then compared the amount of moisture in the skin before applying to the amount of moisture in the skin 3 hours after application and rated each product on a scale of 1 to 5.
Next, for our ingredients test.
We had our expert, Mirai, an R&D specialist at a major cosmetics manufacturer, check each of the products for the following:
Some products that we tested are classified as quasi-drugs, which is a unique Japanese classification of products that sits in between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Manufacturers are not obligated by law to label all their ingredients for quasi-drugs, so Mirai only evaluated those products based on what was written on the label.
Finally, we examined each product for how they felt to use, a point we felt was important considering you'll need to moisturize daily.
We asked two of our Japanese editorial staff to apply the product on their arms and evaluate how they felt to use based on the following points:
Generally speaking, the points you need to know regarding how to choose an emulsion is similar to how to choose a face cream, body milk, or other moisturizers. For a detailed buying guide on face creams, which also apply to emulsions used on the face, see the link below.
Remember, the main difference in emulsions and creams is the ratio of water and oil, and they otherwise use similar, if not the same ingredients!
When it comes to applying skincare, it's generally advised to go from lighter to heavier textures after you wash your face. Generally, this would mean you'd start with a moisturizing toner, move on to a serum, then add more moisture with an emulsion, and lock it all in with a cream.
Occasionally, though, there are some emulsions that are meant to be applied first, immediately after washing your face. While this doesn't apply to any of the products featured in this article, you may want to do a little research for other products.
Finally, there are some products that recommend you use a cotton pad to apply. If a product recommends this, make sure you dispense enough liquid onto the cotton pad to avoid excessive friction from the pad.
Author: Yukina Matsuda/Translation: Jasmine Li/Photos: Koichi Miura, Yoshio Yoshida
The products listed do not guarantee any effects, efficacy, or results as described in the buying guide. All products listed in this article have been tested in-house by mybest’s Japan team, with the cooperation of Japanese testers, unless specified otherwise.
The products listed do not guarantee any effects or results as described in the buying guide, nor do terms like “non-comedogenic” or "allergy tested" ensure that you will not experience negative effects.
None of the content on this website is intended to act as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a licensed medical practitioner or other qualified healthcare provider for healthcare concerns.
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