If you’ve ever noticed that Japanese women tend to look much younger than their years, you’re not alone. J-beauty is taking the beauty world by storm for a reason. With their glowing and healthy complexions, we can’t help but wonder, “Why is Japanese skin so flawless?” The secret to their success lies in their skincare routine.
While J-beauty may seem like a relatively new concept, it’s actually the result of hundreds of years of Japanese beauty and skin care. Japanese women have formed their skin care habits with a blend of age-old rituals and modern scientific research. Now, everyone can take advantage of a Japanese skincare regimen and discover the secrets to flawless skin.
The Japanese way
Like many others around the world, women in Japan strive to maintain healthy, radiant skin. However, Japanese women have good reason to boast when it comes to having a flawless complexion. Rather than trying to cover up or fix blemishes, the Japanese beauty philosophy seeks to bring out the inner beauty by caring for the skin as part of a self-care ritual.
The Japanese way combines two important elements: tradition and scientific research. For thousands of years, Japanese women have perfected their skincare routines into what we see today.
Modern science enables Japanese beauty brands to use both time-tested methods and high-quality ingredients to create powerful skincare products. Now, women around the world can experience the Japanese way to achieve flawless skin.
5 things Japanese women do to keep their skin flawless
1. Use a high-quality moisturizer
You might hear the phrase “mochi-hada”, or rice-cake skin, when it comes to Japanese beauty. This comes in reference to the super-soft, velvety outside of the mochi ball, a popular Japanese dessert.
A key element of achieving this smooth, mochi-hada complexion you so often see on Japanese women is to keep the skin as hydrated as possible.
You can achieve maximum hydration by using a powerful Japanese moisturizer to soften and condition your skin. Regardless of how simplified or complex you prefer your skincare routine to be, a Japanese moisturizer is a must when it comes to your beauty regimen.
2. Double cleanse
Double cleansing, sometimes referred to as oil cleansing, is a relatively new concept in the United States but it’s been a well-known practice in Japan for many years. By double cleansing, you ensure that your face is truly cleansed of any oil, makeup, or sweat that’s accumulated throughout the day.
Double cleansing is simple; use a gentle oil-based cleanser or balm to wash away any traces of the day. Then, use a second cleanser and wash your face again before gently patting the skin dry.
An important difference between American beauty brands and Japanese beauty brands is the harshness of facial cleansers. Rather than using abrasive scrubs that attempt to rub away any impurities, Japanese women prefer to use foaming cleansers that are soothing and help balance the skin’s pH levels.
3. Massage the skin
Facial massages are another anti-aging secret held by Japanese women that can help your skin maintain its youthful glow. Facial-rolling tools have begun to catch on and beauty gurus everywhere can thank Japan for this.
These tools serve to provide a lymphatic facial massage that helps drain excess fluid out of the face. Not only can a regular facial massage give you a relaxing, zen-like feeling, but it will also boost your skin’s circulation and improve product absorption.
4. Eat a healthy diet
Japanese women know that flawless skin isn’t just about what is put on our faces, but what we’re putting into our bodies. By following a well-balanced and healthy diet, you’ll find that your skin will also reap the benefits.
Additionally, you can incorporate foods that are good for the body and your face. Seaweed, fish, green tea, okra, and sesame seeds are all common staples in a Japanese diet that contribute to smooth skin.
5. Use sun protection
No matter what day it is, the destination, or what the weather is like, Japanese women have one constant: they wear sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
If wearing sunscreen is not part of your daily habit, it may seem like a foreign concept. However, it’s one of the best things you can do for your skin and it’s a major reason Japanese women have such flawless skin.
Ditch the sticky, goopy sunblocks and opt for a natural Japanese formula that will last throughout the day. There are many Japanese sunscreens on the market that are light-weight, smooth, and wear well under makeup. You may even find that wearing sunscreen provides your skin with a fresh glow.
Key ingredients in Japanese skincare
J-beauty products are often overshadowed by the showy ingredients used in their K-beauty counterparts (snail mucus, for example). However, Japanese skincare products are not to be overlooked. They’re unique because they blend natural, wholesome materials with scientifically-backed ingredients.
You’ll get the best of both worlds when you use these products, and reap the benefits of natural ingredients such as:
- Green tea
- Sea kelp
- Rice extract
- Cherry blossoms
- Shiso
- Reishi mushrooms
- Camellia oil
- Sake
- Wakame
Not only are many of these ingredients delicious cooking agents, but they’ve also served as treasured components of J-beauty products for hundreds of years.
You no longer have to wonder why Japanese skin is so flawless. If you want smooth, flawless skin, consider incorporating elements of a Japanese skincare routine into your beauty regimen. You’ll quickly discover the power and effectiveness of these Japanese anti-aging secrets for yourself and be well on your way to glowing and smooth skin.