Top 2025 Beauty Buys from Japan: Pros and Cons of Sunscreens and Body Skincare
- shitilike
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
The first time I went to Don Quijote, a Japanese discount chain, was in Hawaii. It was the definition of organized chaos. It reminded me of a department store in Maine called Reny’s where you can buy everything from discount Pendleton blankets and can openers to apron’s that say, “I’m Maine-ly here for the lobster”.
So I was surprised to learn that Don Quijote in Japan was known as the Disney Land of discount skincare. In preparation for total overwhelm, I went down a YouTube rabbit hole of Japanese beauty influencers—loved this best and worst sunscreen buys. The Google Translate app is a lifesaver (apparently very late to this party).
About my skin: I'm 38, fair, and have a family history of skin cancer. These days I hide from the sun and spend money trying to undo my Maui Babe-soaked Hawaii years when I basically marinated myself daily. With that in mind, these were some of the hits and misses from my haul:
SKINCARE ESSENTIALS
Claims: Penetrates deeply to moisturize and soften skin, enhances the water binding ability of skin, leaves skin smooth, soft, supple and firm. Loved this translation: “One drop locks up an ocean.”
Key ingredients: Three types of hyaluronic acid
Pros: Super lightweight, hydrating but not sticky. Texture is between a toner and a serum. I apply liberally after cleansing morning and night and even bought an extra-large bottle. Amazing for travel when skin’s dehydrated. The biggest difference I’ve seen is how my skin holds onto moisture throughout the day.
Cons: Lots of variations of this lotion which can get confusing, this video helps.
Claims: Suppresses melanin formation and prevents spots and freckles. In Asian skincare, "whitening" usually means brightening and reducing pigmentation/dark spots.
Key ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C derivatives, Hyaluronic Acid, Arbutin.
Pros: I have some faint melasma on my forehead that’s triggered by heat. I found this (blue bottle) while trying to repurchase the original. It has the same moisturizing effect but with brightening ingredients and I think it really works.
Claims: Helps fade and prevent dark spots and acne scars.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C and E derivatives: ethyl ascorbic acid, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, and thymol.
Pros: They nailed this packaging. I opened a tube many months ago and it still hasn’t oxidized. It comes in an opaque tube with a ballpoint tip that releases a single droplet at a time that maintains its structure on the skin rather than running down your face. Once rubbed in, the texture is close to Skinceuticals CE Ferulic with a slightly oily finish that dissipates. No hot dog smell. Price is a wow.
Cons: I really want to be a Vitamin C believer and I think it’s maybe a long game, but I just don’t see results like I do with other brighteners like Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, or Arbutin. And yes, I’ve tried the holy grail Skinceuticals CE Ferulic but I’m not sold—open to suggestions!
Claims: “A mild yet definite effect on wrinkle improvement around the eyes, and contains plant-based collagen, Natto Gum to improve skin elasticity.”
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, adenosine, and natto gum.
Pros: I was sus on eye cream until I tried One Skin’s 0s-01 (review to come), but in my quest for effective and affordable options, I really liked this. After a month of use, I will repurchase. Texture is between a watery gel and a cream, absorbs fast and is super hydrating.
Cons: Eye creams take a while to see effects on wrinkles. I don’t think they’re useless but they’ll never give the result of neurotoxins or lasers… yet? I’m open to recos.
Claims: My friend says these are a cult favorite and they have SPF.
Key ingredients: Squalane, ceramides, and shea butter.
Pros: Light and moisturizing. Not sticky. Leaves a subtle sheen and has UV protection. Comes in fragrance free, Milk Vanilla, and Rich Honey. They’re slightly taller and thinner than a chapstick so they actually fit in your pocket. Great for everyday.
SUNSCREENS
Quick-ish rant about about Asian vs. US sunscreens: In the US, you can find versions I mention below on Amazon but they’re different formulas than what you can find on Stylevana which are shipped from outside the US. The difference is in the filters and rating systems in UVA and UVB protection (but the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use).
US sunscreen rating system:
SPF number only (measures UVB protection against burning)
"Broad Spectrum" label (just means it covers UVA too, but doesn't specify how much)
No specific UVA rating number
Asian sunscreen rating system:
SPF number (UVB protection)
PA rating (specific UVA protection level)
PA++++ is the highest rating of UVA protection in the Asian UVA rating system:
PA+ = some UVA protection
PA++ = moderate UVA protection
PA+++ = high UVA protection
PA++++ = extremely high UVA protection (the highest rating)
Why this matters:
UVA causes aging, wrinkles, dark spots (not just burning)
UVB causes burning (what SPF measures)
You need protection from both, but US labels don't tell you how much UVA protection you're getting
In conclusion:
The US has to work within FDA limitations whereas Asian sunscreens use 15+ years of newer filter technology so they have more UV protection, less whitecast, are more cosmetically elegant, and break down slower over time.
Curious about your favorite sunscreens? Dieux Skin launched Sun-Screener which lets you input ingredients for a factual, not fear-based, analysis on what's inside.
Claims: “Even if it is repainted or layered, it is impressively light! Water feeling UV.”
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating), alcohols (for fast-absorbtion, non-greasy feel), glycerin (moisturizing). UV filters: Octinoxate, Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150.
Pros: Super lightweight.. almost too lightweight? Has a watery texture similar to Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve ever gotten men to use. I've gifted it to friends and their husbands asked them to repurchase.
Claims: A natural transparency is created by manipulating visible light while cutting strong ultraviolet rays.
Key ingredients: Sebum-adsorbing ingredients as well as hyaluronic acid and royal jelly extract.
Pros: I bought this thinking it would be tinted but it’s more luminizing. The sheen is actually nice once it absorbs but it goes on very white. It has an almost matte-like finish so I use a moisturizer first. Super long lasting and it actually became my go-to winter sunscreen because of the brightening effect without any makeup.
Cons: It has a thick texture and takes a bit to dry down. Tan and dark skin tones will likely show a white cast.
Claims: Moisturizing chemical sunscreen offers delicate UV protection with powerful broad-spectrum SPF50+ PA++++.
Key ingredients: Enriched with 69% Rice Bran Water and Grain Ferment Extract Complex. Vitamin B and various minerals. UV filters: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, and Iscotrizinol.
Pros: This has gotten a lot of hype from skincare founders like Charlotte Palermino of Dieux Skin and is totally worth the hype. This one is a little creamier than Biore’s which I prefer because it feels more moisturizing. I’d say if you skew drier, try this one, and for oily, try Biore. Both are great under makeup.
Video shows each of the finishes:
Top: Biore UV Aqua Rich, middle: Biore UV Aqua Rich LightUp Essence, bottom: Beauty of Joseon.
BODY CARE
Claims: Gently removes aging keratin for a soft velvet matte finish.
Key ingredients: Niacinmide, glycerin, hydrated silica (gentle physical exfoliant).
Pros: I’m obsessed with this scent, it smells like jasmine and apricot. Deeply exfoliating but not overly harsh. Great for exfoliating before a self or spray tan.
Cons: It was very cheap at Don Quijote but this site was the only one I could find and it’s a little pricey for a Dove product.
Claims: Body milk that gives you smooth, soft, marshmallow-like skin. Can also be used on skin after hair removal, and so prevents roughness and razor rash.
Key ingredients: Sodium Hyaluronate-2, Petroleum Jelly, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate (anti-inflammatory), Jojoba and Almond Oil.
Pros: This is pretty incredible for hydration, leaves the skin moisturized but not greasy. Super lightweight, great for summer.
Cons: The fragrance was way too overpowering. If there was an unscented version I’d love this but Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost is a fine substitute.
Reihaku Hatomugi Body Soap: $5 for 27.1 fluid oz. (!)
Claims: Body soap containing natural moisturizing Astragalus extract for clear, fresh skin.
Key ingredients: Hatomugi extract, also known as Coix seed extract, a natural ingredient derived from the Job's Tears plant.
Pros: A little goes a long way and highly recommend using a loufa. I use Dr. Bronner’s or exfoliate first and then use this. Leaves my skin super smooth without having to use a moisturizer. Scent is fresh and slightly floral. The sheer amount for the price is incredible, after 8 months I’ve barely made a dent.
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