10 Viral Japanese Beauty Products You Can Find at Any Japanese Drugstore

If you’re a beauty lover heading to Japan, get ready to enter a drugstore wonderland. Japanese drugstores are stocked with some of the best affordable and high-quality beauty products. Many of these products have gained cult status online and for good reason. Not only are they extremely effective, but they are also affordable and easily accessible in Japan. You don’t need to hunt these products down in high-end department stores—they’re all readily available at popular drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Donki, and Welcia.

So, let’s dive into the top 10 viral Japanese beauty products you should snag while you’re there.

Also read: 28 Japanese Food and Cool Souvenirs You Must Buy from Hokkaido

1. Nivea Rich Care & Color Lip Balm

• Price: 600-800 yen (S$5.30 – S$7)

If you’ve been eyeing Clinique’s viral Black Honey lipstick but want a more affordable alternative, this Nivea lip balm is your answer! It’s a tinted lip balm that hydrates while giving your lips a natural, flushed tint. The shade “Bordeaux” is the closest dupe for Black Honey, offering a sheer but buildable deep berry colour that flatters all skin tones.

2. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen

• Price: 900-1,200 yen (S$7.90-S$10.50)

No one does sunscreen better than Japan, and Biore UV Aqua Rich is the undisputed holy grail. This SPF 50+ sunscreen feels more like a hydrating gel than a thick sunscreen, making it perfect for daily wear and under makeup. Its zero white cast formula is what made it go viral on TikTok, acting as a great base for makeup while offering excellent UV protection.

3. Nivea UV Super Water Gel

• Price: 1000-1,200 yen (S$8.80-S$10.50)

Another sunscreen winner, but for the body. It has a lightweight, water-based formula that absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy, making it ideal for humid weather. With SPF 50+ protection, it’s a go-to for everyday sun protection. Unlike many Western sunscreens, it doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or chalky.

4. Canmake Cream Cheek Blush

• Price: 650-800 yen (S$5.30-S$7.00)

If you love dewy, natural-looking blush, the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush is a must-buy! This lightweight, gel-cream formula melts into the skin, giving you a fresh, flushed-from-within look. It blends effortlessly with just your fingers and dries down to a semi-matte finish, so it stays put without feeling sticky. With a wide range of soft pinks, corals, and peachy tones, there’s a shade for everyone.

5. Senka Perfect Whip Beauty Foam

• Price: 600-1000 yen (S$5.30-S$8.80)

Senka Perfect Whip is one of Japan’s best-selling facial cleansers. This cleanser foams up into a rich, fluffy lather, deeply cleansing your skin without drying it out. The Beauty Foam version specifically helps with removing makeup easily while keeping your skin hydrated and soft. Its dual function in removing makeup and deep cleansing the skin makes it a favourite among many.

6. Rohto Melano CC Vitamin C Serum

• Price: 800-1,200 yen (S$7.00-S$10.50)

This powerful Vitamin C serum has been a cult favourite for years because of its ability to brighten skin, fade acne scars, and reduce hyperpigmentation. It contains highly stable Vitamin C that helps even out skin tone over time. Despite its affordable price tag, it performs just as well as many high-end Vitamin C serums.

7. Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Milk

• Price: 1,200-1,500 yen (S$10.50 to S$13.20) 

If you struggle with dry or dehydrated skin, this lightweight, milky moisturizer will work wonders for your skin. Packed with hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates without clogging pores. It’s great for layering under heavier creams or using alone if you prefer a light, breathable moisturizer. Your skin will feel plump, bouncy, and ultra-moisturized!

8. Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask

• Price: 1,500-2,000 yen (S$13.20-S$17.60)

This hair mask gives you silky, salon-quality hair without spending a fortune. Made by Shiseido, the Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask is a deep conditioning treatment that revives dry, damaged hair. Many TikTok users have left glowing reviews of this product, where it leaves hair feeling soft, shiny, and healthy-looking. Whether you have coloured, heat-damaged, or frizzy hair, this mask works effectively for all hair qualities.

9. Tsururi Blackhead Pure Cleansing Gel

• Price: 1,000-1,300 yen (S$8.80-S$11.40)

For those struggling with blackheads, Tsururi’s cleansing gel could be your answer. This charcoal-infused formula helps dissolve excess sebum, unclog pores, and remove stubborn blackheads without being harsh on the skin. It’s gentler than nose strips, making it perfect for regular use.

10. Utena Matomage Hair Stick

• Price: 800-1,000 yen (S$7.00-S$8.80)

With bangs being a popular Japanese hairstyle, Japanese beauty has come up with some innovative and clever solutions to keep bangs looking perfect despite weather conditions.  The Utena Matomage Hair Stick is a solid wax stick that smooths and tames hair without making it greasy or stiff. A swipe over stray hairs helps them stay in place all day. It’s a lifesaver for styling bangs and keeping your updo looking sleek and clean. It’s also compact and easy to carry around for on-the-go touch-ups!

Also read: Shopping at A Japanese Supermarket: Things to Know

Japanese drugstores are a paradise for beauty lovers, offering high-quality products at affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for skincare, makeup, haircare, or sun protection, there’s something for everyone. So, when you’re in Japan, don’t forget to explore the aisles and stock up on these viral beauty gems. Your future self (and your skin) will thank you!