4 Affordable Japanese Skincare Products I Picked Up in Japan

Thursday, May 21, 2026

4 Affordable Japanese Skincare Products I Picked Up in Japan

When I visit Japan, I usually stock up on a lot of skincare products, but this time I ended up buying less than usual. My husband and I hadn’t expected to return to Japan so soon — it had only been nine months since our last trip — and one of the main reasons for this visit was to go to my late mother’s cemetery during the Obon season. Obon (お盆) is a time in Japan when families return home to honor their ancestors, so it felt important for us to be there. Because of that, I still had plenty of skincare stocked at home. (I still have so many products I want to recommend!)

Even so, I picked up a few items that caught my eye. Today, I’m going to share the four Japanese skincare products I purchased during this trip.

1. Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel (ロートスキンアクアスーパーモイスチャージェル)

Sunscreen

SPF50+ PA++++

140g for 801 yen at drugstore in Japan

110g for 590 yen on Amazon Japan

Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel (ロートスキンアクアスーパーモイスチャージェル)

When I travel to Japan, I always make sure to pick up sunscreen because I truly feel that Japanese formulas are some of the best in the world. This time, I chose the Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel (ロートスキンアクアスーパーモイスチャージェル). It has that signature lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly, yet it still leaves my skin comfortably moisturized. It’s SPF50+ PA++++ and waterproof, so it works well for everyday use, especially during hot and humid days in Japan.

Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel (ロートスキンアクアスーパーモイスチャージェル)

I ended up using it throughout my trip, and I liked the texture so much that I bought a second bottle while I was still in Japan. It’s one of those sunscreens that feels so comfortable on the skin that you don’t mind reapplying it during the day.

Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel (ロートスキンアクアスーパーモイスチャージェル)

2. Menturm the SUN UV Protect (メンタームザサンパーフェクトUVジェル)

Sunscreen

SPF50+ PA++++

100g for 498 yen at drugstore in Japan

Menturm the SUN UV Protect (メンタームザサンパーフェクトUVジェル)

I also picked up the Menturm the SUN UV Protect Gel (メンタームザサンパーフェクトUVジェル) because it was only 498 yen for a 100g bottle. Menturm is a well‑known Japanese brand, so I felt comfortable trying it. I’ve been using it every morning, even on the sunny days when I run outside for about three hours, and I still haven’t gotten sunburned. It’s SPF50+ PA++++ and waterproof, so it holds up well during long, active mornings. Japanese sunscreens really never disappoint me.

Menturm the SUN UV Protect (メンタームザサンパーフェクトUVジェル)

3. Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil (コーセソフティモスピーディクレンジグオイル)

Makeup Remover

598 yen at drugstore in Japan

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil (コーセソフティモスピーディクレンジグオイル)

This time, I picked up a set that included a 240 ml bottle of Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil (コーセソフティモスピーディクレンジングオイル) along with a trial‑size pack of the Kose Softymo Double Hyaluronic Acid Makeup Remover Sheets (コーセソフティモ Wヒアルロン酸メイク落としシート). The whole set was only 598 yen, which felt like such a good deal.

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil (コーセソフティモスピーディクレンジグオイル)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I really love Softymo Cleansing Oil. It removes heavy makeup and sunscreen effortlessly, and I’ve been using it every day since my 20s, and it’s still the cleansing oil I trust the most.

Kose Softymo Double Hyaluromic Acid Makeup Remover Sheet (コーセソフティモ Wヒアルロン酸メイク落としシート)

Makeup Removing Wipes

Kose Softymo Double Hyaluromic Acid Makeup Remover Sheet (コーセソフティモ Wヒアルロン酸メイク落としシート)

This trial‑size pack of Kose Softymo Double Hyaluronic Acid Makeup Remover Sheets (コーセソフティモ Wヒアルロン酸メイク落としシート) came with 12 sheets. They remove makeup surprisingly well while still keeping the skin moisturized. They were especially handy while I was traveling — perfect for quick cleansing when I didn’t want to use a full cleansing routine.

4. Gatsby Ice Deodorant Body Paper (ギャッツビーアイスデオドラントボディペーパーO アイスシトラス)

Bathing Wipes

30 sheets for 397 yen at dragstore in Japan

Gatsby Ice Deodorant Body Paper (ギャッツビーアイスデオドラントボディペーパーO アイスシトラス)

My husband also wanted to pick up the Gatsby Ice Deodorant Body Paper (ギャッツビーアイスデオドラントボディペーパーO アイスシトラス). He uses body wipes sometimes, especially after running or working out, so this was perfect for him. The cooling sensation feels instantly refreshing, and it really helps when you’re sweaty and overheated. It ended up being surprisingly useful during our trip — easy to keep in a backpack and great for quick freshening up on hot, humid days in Japan.