We tested each product for the following:
Dehydration is said to be one of the biggest culprits behind the various signs of aging. And it’s not just the wrinkling and the sagging; when your skin is dehydrated, its natural barrier gets worn down, which in turn leads to hyperpigmentation and acne.
That isn’t to say that other things, such as ingredients that help firm up skin or prevent age and sun spots, aren’t important; they are. But they’re more like the cherry on the sundae. At the end of the day, the first question you should ask yourself is, “Does my anti-aging serum keep mature skin properly hydrated?”
Image | 1 ![]() ORBIS | 2 ![]() Fancl | 3 ![]() P&G | 4 ![]() Kao Corporation | 5 ![]() POLA | 6 ![]() Rohto Pharmaceutical | 7 ![]() Nuzzle Inc. | 8 ![]() Albion Co. Ltd. | 9 ![]() Shiseido | 10 ![]() Kao |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | ORBIS U Dot Lotion | Enrich Plus Lotion II Moist | SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion | Curél Aging-Care Series Lotion | B.A Lotion | Obagi X Lift Lotion | Whomee Moist Aging Care Lotion | Flora Drip | Elixir Advanced Lotion T III | est G.P. Conditioning Serum Lifting Moisture |
Features | A Fantastic Anti-Aging Serum With No Drawbacks | A Wrinkle-Minimizing Anti-Aging Serum | An All-Around Great Aging Care Serum | A Mild, Anti-Aging Serum for Sensitive Skin | Strong Scent, but Packed With Beautifying Ingredients | Incredibly Ingredients in One Bottle | A High-Performance Anti-Aging Serum, but Not for Sensitive Skin | Unique Ingredients and a Refreshing Fragrance | An Anti-Aging Serum With Great Ingredients | A Fantastic Moisturizing Serum, but No Notable Anti-Aging Ingredients |
Price | $62.83 | $16.34 | $85.15 | $16.77 | $128.58 | $35.82 | $45.13 | $56.22 | $31.71 | $138.62 |
Japanese | オルビス ユードット ローション | FANCL エンリッチプラス 化粧液 II しっとり | SK-II フェイシャル トリートメント ローション | キュレル エイジングケアシリーズ 化粧水 | POLA B.A ローション | ロート オバジX リフトローション | フーミー モイストエイジングケアローション | アルビオン フローラドリップ | 資生堂 エリクシール アドバンスド ローション TⅢ | 花王 エストG.P. コンディショニングセラム リフトモイスト |
Amount | 180ml | 30 ml | 75ml | 140ml | 120ml | 150ml | 200ml | 80ml | 170ml | 100ml |
Main ingredients | BG, diglycerin, concentrated glycerin, honeysuckle extract, japanese honeysuckle extract | BG, diglycerin, concentrated glycerin, ectoin, hydrolyzed collagen solution-4, lauroyl glutamate di(phytosteryl/octyldodecyl), collagen tripeptide F | BG, galactomyces ferment filtrate | Glycerin, BG, thujopsis dolabrata branch extract, hexadecyloxy PG hydroxyethylhexadecanamide, eucalyptus extract, water-soluble zingiber officinale root extract (K) | BG, arginine, glycolipids, sage leaf extract, mussel glycogen, sennikoku seed extract, hydrolyzed conchiolin, hydrolyzed silk, lysine sodium dilauroyl glutamate | Glycerin, BG, collagen, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed white lupin protein, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, sorbitol, squalane, hydrolyzed soybean protein, platinum, comfrey callus culture extract, hydrolyzed eggshell membrane | Glycerin, BG, saccharomyces/(brown sugar/placenta extract) fermented solution, hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed collagen, placenta extract, hyaluronic acid Na, ubiquinone, ceramide NG, ceramide AP, ceramide NP, ceramide EOP, cerebroside, PCA-Na, glycyrrhizic acid 2K, acetyl hexapeptide 8, human oligopeptide 1, human oligopeptide 13, retinol palmitate, ascorbyl Mg phosphate, ascorbyl tetrahexyldecanoate, fullerene, gluconobacter culture medium, platinum, bovine lean protein blood, sake lees extract, rice fermentation liquid, aspergillus/defatted soybean seed fermentation extract, hydrolyzed swallow's nest extract, ceramide | Glycerin, BG, aspergillus/(artemisia annua/ araliaceae) flower/leaf/stem/(artemisia sieboldiana/melissa/tachijacum) leaf/stem) fermentation liquid, alcaligenes-producing polysaccharide | DPG, glycerin, BG, soluble collagen, diglycerin, erythritol, ginkgo biloba extract, iris root extract, turmeric rhizome extract | DPG, glycerin, BG, betaine, tuberose polysaccharide, ginseng root extract, ginger root extract, ectoin, hibamata extract |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid | Niacinamide | N/A | Allantoin | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Container | Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Pump-bottle | Pump bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Pump bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Other features | Patch tested, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, pigment-free, oil-free, surfactant-free | Preservative-free, UV absorber-free, petroleum-based surfactant-free, fragrance-free, artificial pigment-free | N/A | Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, pigment-free, patch tested, allergy tested | Allergy tested | N/A | Fragrance-free, pigment-free, mineral oil-free | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Gentleness | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Feel | 4.5 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.0 |
Overall score | 4.39 | 4.36 | 4.24 | 4.13 | 4.09 | 4.09 | 4.02 | 3.98 | 3.97 | 3.95 |
Link |
Now to introduce the 10 best Japanese anti-aging serums available online, selected from a total of 34 products that we tested. They were ranked by how well they did on our tests and given an overall score ranging from 1 to 5.
※Keep in mind that these products are not guaranteed to produce any positive results. If you do choose to buy any of these products, be sure to double-check the official description and purported benefits.
$62.83
Japanese | オルビス ユードット ローション |
---|---|
Amount | 180ml |
Main ingredients | BG, diglycerin, concentrated glycerin, honeysuckle extract, japanese honeysuckle extract |
Active ingredients | Tranexamic acid |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | Patch tested, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, pigment-free, oil-free, surfactant-free |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 4.0 |
Gentleness | 4.0 |
Feel | 4.5 |
Overall score | 4.39 |
$16.34
Japanese | FANCL エンリッチプラス 化粧液 II しっとり |
---|---|
Amount | 30 ml |
Main ingredients | BG, diglycerin, concentrated glycerin, ectoin, hydrolyzed collagen solution-4, lauroyl glutamate di(phytosteryl/octyldodecyl), collagen tripeptide F |
Active ingredients | Niacinamide |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | Preservative-free, UV absorber-free, petroleum-based surfactant-free, fragrance-free, artificial pigment-free |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 5.0 |
Feel | 3.3 |
Overall score | 4.36 |
$85.15
Japanese | SK-II フェイシャル トリートメント ローション |
---|---|
Amount | 75ml |
Main ingredients | BG, galactomyces ferment filtrate |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 4.0 |
Feel | 3.7 |
Overall score | 4.24 |
$16.77
Japanese | キュレル エイジングケアシリーズ 化粧水 |
---|---|
Amount | 140ml |
Main ingredients | Glycerin, BG, thujopsis dolabrata branch extract, hexadecyloxy PG hydroxyethylhexadecanamide, eucalyptus extract, water-soluble zingiber officinale root extract (K) |
Active ingredients | Allantoin |
Container | Pump-bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, pigment-free, patch tested, allergy tested |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 3.5 |
Gentleness | 5.0 |
Feel | 4.5 |
Overall score | 4.13 |
$128.58
Japanese | POLA B.A ローション |
---|---|
Amount | 120ml |
Main ingredients | BG, arginine, glycolipids, sage leaf extract, mussel glycogen, sennikoku seed extract, hydrolyzed conchiolin, hydrolyzed silk, lysine sodium dilauroyl glutamate |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Pump bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | Allergy tested |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 3.5 |
Feel | 3.4 |
Overall score | 4.09 |
$35.82
Japanese | ロート オバジX リフトローション |
---|---|
Amount | 150ml |
Main ingredients | Glycerin, BG, collagen, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed white lupin protein, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, sorbitol, squalane, hydrolyzed soybean protein, platinum, comfrey callus culture extract, hydrolyzed eggshell membrane |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 3.5 |
Feel | 3.4 |
Overall score | 4.09 |
$45.13
Japanese | フーミー モイストエイジングケアローション |
---|---|
Amount | 200ml |
Main ingredients | Glycerin, BG, saccharomyces/(brown sugar/placenta extract) fermented solution, hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed collagen, placenta extract, hyaluronic acid Na, ubiquinone, ceramide NG, ceramide AP, ceramide NP, ceramide EOP, cerebroside, PCA-Na, glycyrrhizic acid 2K, acetyl hexapeptide 8, human oligopeptide 1, human oligopeptide 13, retinol palmitate, ascorbyl Mg phosphate, ascorbyl tetrahexyldecanoate, fullerene, gluconobacter culture medium, platinum, bovine lean protein blood, sake lees extract, rice fermentation liquid, aspergillus/defatted soybean seed fermentation extract, hydrolyzed swallow's nest extract, ceramide |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | Fragrance-free, pigment-free, mineral oil-free |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 3.3 |
Feel | 3.5 |
Overall score | 4.02 |
$56.22
Japanese | アルビオン フローラドリップ |
---|---|
Amount | 80ml |
Main ingredients | Glycerin, BG, aspergillus/(artemisia annua/ araliaceae) flower/leaf/stem/(artemisia sieboldiana/melissa/tachijacum) leaf/stem) fermentation liquid, alcaligenes-producing polysaccharide |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 5.0 |
Gentleness | 3.5 |
Feel | 3.3 |
Overall score | 3.98 |
$31.71
Japanese | 資生堂 エリクシール アドバンスド ローション TⅢ |
---|---|
Amount | 170ml |
Main ingredients | DPG, glycerin, BG, soluble collagen, diglycerin, erythritol, ginkgo biloba extract, iris root extract, turmeric rhizome extract |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 4.0 |
Gentleness | 4.0 |
Feel | 3.4 |
Overall score | 3.97 |
$138.62
Japanese | 花王 エストG.P. コンディショニングセラム リフトモイスト |
---|---|
Amount | 100ml |
Main ingredients | DPG, glycerin, BG, betaine, tuberose polysaccharide, ginseng root extract, ginger root extract, ectoin, hibamata extract |
Active ingredients | N/A |
Container | Pump bottle |
Requires a cotton pad | No |
Other features | N/A |
Moisturization | 5.0 |
Anti-aging ingredients | 3.5 |
Gentleness | 4.0 |
Feel | 4.0 |
Overall score | 3.95 |
First off, we tested each product's moisturizing ability. We used a special device known as a Corneometer to measure the amount of moisture in the skin of our tester's arms. We then applied a set amount of serum on their arm and measured moisture levels two hours after application.
We evaluated the products based on how much of an increase there was in moisture levels.
Next, we had our expert, Scientific Beautician Kaori, check whether or not the serums featured a high amount of quality anti-aging ingredients.
Quick note: 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 Kaori only evaluated those products based on what was written on the label.
We also asked Kaori to evaluate how gentle on the skin each product was based on their ingredients.
We assigned two Japanese testers to each product, asking them to evaluate each product on the following:
Moreover, check for ingredients such as niacinamides, astaxanthin, collagen, plant extracts, and fermented extracts, as these can help improve wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Moreover, the older we get, the more prone our skin becomes to developing blemishes. Products that feature brightening ingredients like placenta extract, vitamin C derivatives, 4MSK, and tranexamic acid can help minimize the appearance of those pesky spots!
Additionally, proteoglycans have enjoyed tons of popularity in recent years. The poster child of proteoglycans would be aggrecan, found in articular cartilage.
That’s would explain why it’s highly elastic; it has exceptional water retention. It has also been experimented on and proven to help with collagen synthesis–truly a superstar when it comes to anti-aging.
If you end up looking for the strongest ingredients that can help your address your concerns with signs of aging, but end up irritating your skin, you'd be doing yourself a major disservice.
If you find a product that lists ethanol, plant extracts, or essential oils near the top of the ingredients list, watch out, as it could potentially irritate your skin. As a general rule of thumb, the earlier an ingredient appears in an ingredients list means the more of it is included in the product.
If you've ever had an experience where a product has irritated your skin in the past, we recommend doing a patch test somewhere discreet, such as on the inside of your arm, before you start using the product.
With skincare, consistency is key. Even the best anti-aging serum in the world will be of no help if you don’t use it every day. That’s why it’s important to find a formula that smells and feels good, wrapped up in packaging that’s easy to use.
Serums vary in density. They can be lightly or heavily scented or have no scent at all. As for packaging, you can find serums in tubes or bottles with either a pump or dropper. This all comes down to personal preference, so make sure you find something you like.
Humans are naturally conditioned to look at people's eyes first, and we subconsciously collect a lot of information about other people through the eyes. Unfortunately, the eyes are also where we tend to show more signs of aging compared to other parts of the face.
The skin around your eyes is much thinner compared to other parts of your face, and produces less sebum, meaning they're more prone to drying out, making it more likely to develop wrinkles there. To combat this, we recommend using an eye cream in combination with your anti-aging serum.
There are a plethora of products, including those that are formulated with ingredients that are confirmed to minimize wrinkles, such as NEI-L1, retinols, and niacinamides, so try and look for an eye cream that has these ingredients.
For more on eye creams, check out the link below!
Both in Japan and the US, serums that aim to merely beautify and alter appearance are labeled as cosmetics. Their main ingredients are usually not present in high concentrations and are called “cosmetic ingredients.”
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 “allergy tested” or "non-comedogenic 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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