10 Best Japanese Face Washes and Cleansers of 2023
Wash your face with gentle, effective, and skin-friendly products made in Japan.
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: Shutterstock
Japanese face washes are one of the best skin care products in the world. Cleansers and face washes from Japan are produced with high-quality, efficient ingredients. Here, we have listed the best Japanese face washes you can try. These face washes from Japan clean the skin gently and help it look fresh and healthy. Moreover, Japanese skin care brands develop their products based on various skin types and consider particular skin-related needs. Take a look at our top picks!
In This Article
10 Best Japanese Face Washes And Cleansers
1. Best For Hyperpigmentation:Tatcha The Rice Polish: Classic Foaming Enzyme Powder
Suitable For: Normal to Dry skin
This one is said to be Meghan Markle’s go-to facial cleanser! This exfoliating face cleanser comes in a powder form that transforms into a creamy foam when mixed with water. This gentle exfoliator clears dead skin cells from your skin and makes it bright. It contains rice and papaya enzymes along with green tea and algae extracts that prevent hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
Pros
- Dermatologist tested
- Cruelty-free
- Non-irritating
- Mineral oil-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Urea-free
- No DEA and TEA
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
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2. Best Creamy Formula:Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam
Suitable For: For all skin types
This rich and creamy foaming cleanser contains micro white powder and white clay particles. These two ingredients help remove dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities from your skin. It is developed with an internal power resist technology that softens and strengthens your skin.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Clinically tested
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oils
Cons
- Contains SLS
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3. Best Non-Comedogenic Formula:Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
Suitable For: All skin types
This oil cleanser by Tatcha works both as a makeup remover and a face cleanser. It removes waterproof makeup and leaves behind soft and clean skin. It contains Japanese camellia oil along with Tatcha’s signature anti-aging agent, Hadasei-3.
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Cruelty-free
- No mineral oils
- No synthetic fragrance
- Sulfate-free
- Detergent-free
- Paraben-free
- Urea-free
- No DEA and TEA
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
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4. Best For Skin Exfoliation:Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
Suitable For: All skin types
This facial cleanser contains hyaluronic acid, which prevents dryness after washing your face. It gently exfoliates your skin without drying it out. This foaming formula removes all the dirt trapped in your skin pores.
Pros
- pH-balanced formula
- Mineral oil-free
- Alcohol-free
- Colorant-free
- No artificial fragrance
Cons
None
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5. Best For Pore Minimizing:Boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser
Suitable For: Oily skin
This warming charcoal cleanser cleanses and detoxifies your skin thoroughly. It contains activated charcoal that absorbs excess oil and dirt, thus cleaning the skin pores and minimizing their appearance. It also contains vitamin C that brightens your skin and reduces fine lines. The glycolic acid in it improves skin texture.
Pros
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing agents
- No DEA/TEA/MEA/ETA
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
None
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6. Best Oil-Free Formula:Biore Free Your Pores Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser
Suitable For: Oily skin
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, try this cleanser. This charcoal cleanser from Biore can trap dirt and impurities much more effectively than other ordinary cleansers. It is developed with the Japanese skin purifying technology that gives you a squeaky clean face in just one wash.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Mild formula
Cons
None
7. Best pH-Balanced Formula:DHC Face Wash
Suitable For: Dry and sensitive skin
Dry and sensitive skin needs special care, and this face wash does just that. It cleanses your skin thoroughly without damaging its natural moisture barrier. It contains ingredients such as olive oil, rosemary leaf oil, and rosemary extracts to maintain your skin balance.
Pros
- pH-balanced formula
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Contains botanical extracts
Cons
- Contains DEA and TEA
8. Best User-Friendly Formula:Senka Perfect Whip Foam
Suitable For: All skin types, except sensitive skin
As the name suggests, this foaming cleanser whips up marshmallow-like foam. This foam acts as a cushion for your skin and protects it from harsh rubbing. It goes deep into your skin pores to clear excess sebum and impurities. It does not dry out your skin.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- SLS-free
Cons
- Contains artificial fragrance
9. Best Travel-Friendly:REALBEL Black Charcoal Facial Cleansing Foam
Suitable For: Dry, oil, normal, and combination
Transform your dull skin into glowing skin with the REALBEL Black Charcoal Facial Cleansing Foam. This cleansing foam is gentle on the skin and effectively removes blackheads, impurities, and dirt. It makes your skin firm, and you can also use this cleansing foam to remove makeup.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Travel-friendly
- Glides smoothly
Cons
None
10. Best Hypoallergenic Formula:Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cooling Cleanser
Suitable For: Oily and acne-prone skin
Biore Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Cleanser has a refreshing cool formula that fights acne and blemishes. It claims to reduce 99% blemishes from your skin. It contains salicylic acid that helps control acne and witch hazel that tightens your pores.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Oil-free
Cons
None
It is essential to keep your face clean everyday to avoid any skin issues. Japanese face washes and cleansers are gentle in their way to keep your face healthy. Due to the rising popularity, there are a lot of Japanese face washes and cleansers available in the market. It can be taxing to figure out which Japanese wash wash and cleanser is suitable for your skin type. Look at our buying guide below to find out how to choose the best Japanese face washes and cleansers.
How To Choose The Best Japanese Face Wash And Cleanser
Ingredients To Opt For
Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid in your product of choice. Ingredients like white clay or micro white powder are known to clean and remove dirt and dead skin cells from your face making your skin regain its lost brightness.
Additionally, ingredients like green tea and papaya enzymes are known to reduce hyperpigmentation of your skin and prevent acne breakouts. If your Japanese face wash or cleanser is infused with rich extracts, it can be a good exfoliator that deeply cleanses your face. Additionally, the presence of activated charcoal and vitamin C are known to remove all the impurities off your skin giving it a healthy glow.
Ingredients To Avoid
Ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates are prone to cause allergic reactions to sensitive skin. These ingredients are known to dry the skin out. Look out for bad alcohols like ethanol or propanol because they tend to damage your skin. Instead, opt for good alcohols like cetyl or stearyl as these are good emulsifiers. Mineral oils are also prone to clog your pores and cause severe breakout, so it is better to avoid them.
Skin Type
Look out for ingredients that are suitable for your skin type. If you have a dry to normal skin type, use ingredients that not only cleanse your face but also moisturize it. Look for ingredients such as olive oil or rosemary oil for dry skin. These ingredients are also suitable for sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, look for ingredients like vitamin C or charcoal as they remove oil and grease from your skin pores and prevent acne breakout. It is advised to look for face washes and cleansers that are suitable for all skin types. Look at the label of the product to ensure that the face wash and cleanser is suitable for your skin type to prevent any skin issue.
Additional Benefits
If you prefer you can look for Japanese face washes and cleansers that are vegan and cruelty-free. Additionally, look for artificial fragrance-free and coloring agent-free face washes and cleansers to avoid any skin damage caused by the chemicals. Also, look for lightweight products that can easily moisturize your face as they penetrate deep into your skin and cleanse deeply leaving your skin soft, supple and bright.
Japanese skin care is inspired by Eastern medicine that focuses on effective ingredients. This is why Japanese cleansers and face washes are some of the best skin care products in the world. Try them out today and share your feedback with us in the comments section below.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach who loves to try beauty products as they hit the shelves. Japanese skin care products are on the rise and Shiboli has done extensive research on them to help her readers find the best products. She prefers Japanese face washes and cleansers since they contain many novel, effective ingredients. After digging through all the available reviews online, she has assembled the list of the top products. Most of the recommended products use natural ingredients that are skin-friendly and nourishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Japanese face wash every day?
Yes, you can add a Japanese face wash to your skin care routine and use it once daily, prominently at night, to clean your face and eliminate excessive dirt and sebum.
What are the benefits of Japanese face wash?
Japanese face washes are known for their excellent cleansing properties and nourishing benefits. They help clean the pores thoroughly and offer glowing and moisturized skin.
How long does Japanese face wash last?
Depending on the usage, a Japanese face wash lasts for 2-3 months easily.
How long does it take for a Japanese face wash to show results?
With proper usage and skin care practices, you will see changes in your skin within 3-4 weeks of using a Japanese face wash.
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