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Beauty Routine or Skin Care Routine for Japanese Women

The Japanese often have flawless, glowing skin that many women crave. While the common Japanese diet of fish, vegetables, fruit, soy, noodles and rice may be partially responsible for their healthy, youthful complexions, Japanese women also follow a more thorough skin care routine. To keep the face fresh and skin elastic, Japanese women follow a five-step beauty regimen instead of a traditional three-step routine. Women of other ethnicity's may also see cleaner, more vibrant skin by following the more in-depth routine.

  1. Clean the Skin

    • Removing all makeup, dirt and oil from the skin each day with a makeup remover, in addition to a cleanser, is the essential first step in Japanese skin care. A cleansing oil, such as Shu Uemura, may be used to successfully remove all makeup before washing the face with a gentle cleanser.

    Facial Massage and Mask

    • Incorporating a facial massage two to three times per week after cleansing can help to increase circulation and blood flow to the face, resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion. Unless there is acne on the face or oily skin, which could be aggravated, Japanese women should massage facial cream on the entire face.

      On days when facial massage is not done, a nightly mask should be applied. Use either a clarifying mask or moisturizing mask, or alternate between the two for greatest effectiveness and most visible results. Clarifying masks help to deep clean pores of the skin and reduce blemishes while moisturizing masks help skin to retain moisture, which can boost elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

    Use a Toner

    • Toner is designed to balance the pH of the skin, remove dead skin cells and protect against bacteria, which can cause acne. It should be applied after a mask or massage to remove residue that may be left behind after cleansing. Toners are available in different strengths depending on individual skin type, although it is generally not recommended for Japanese women who have dry or sensitive skin since it can increase dryness of the skin.

    Apply a Serum

    • A serum, also known as an essence, is a liquid that is used to correct skin problems and reduce the number of imperfections on the skin. Serums absorb quickly, easily and deeply into the skin and are thought of as intense moisturizers. A serum should be applied to the skin and complete absorption should be allowed before applying a moisturizer. Facial serums are generally more expensive than facial moisturizers and are also available specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes.

    Moisturize

    • The last step in a Japanese skin care routine is to apply a moisturizer. Choose a moisturizer that is compatible with your skin type for the deepest moisturizing benefits. Also, look for a moisturizer that includes a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater to help protect against the damaging effect the sun can have on the skin. This will reduce the number of wrinkles, sun spots and skin discolorations that can occur over time.

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