Winter in Tokyo can be brutal: the constant rush in and out of train stations and buildings, with heaters blowing, only to be met with cold, dry winter air that can leave your skin dehydrated and lackluster. Let’s not forget all the hot water on your poor hands! Outdoor enthusiasts—including those who spend winters chasing Japanese powder in Japan’s wetter regions—also find they can’t shake off dry skin.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Even if you find yourself in the final stages of winter’s onslaught on your skin, there’s no need to despair: Here’s a list of Japanese remedies to keep your skin smooth and supple all winter long. Next time you visit Japan during the colder months, be sure to stock up on these moisturizing products to keep your skin glowing and moisturized.
body moisturizer
Judging from its clinical name, everything about this moisturizer is intimidating— Vitamin preparation medical cream – Its distinct mint aroma. But its effect on dry, cracked skin overnight is undeniable. My best friend, a Hokkaido native accustomed to harsh winters, gave me a jar of medical cream last Christmas after hearing my endless complaints about dry skin. She swears by it, explaining that her mother and grandmother were big fans and passed it down as their secret to soft skin. They are not wrong.
The first time I used medical cream, I found that it was almost the same also Moisturizes, especially my sensitive arms and legs; it makes them feel a little itchy. But my heels are dry and cracked? A miracle. Deep, painful cracks on my fingers? After a few bedtime applications, they softened and healed.
Although medical cream is very moisturizing, its smell may cause problems for some people. My friends describe it as herbal, but to me it’s more akin to tiger balm or even turpentine. This unique aroma may come from camphor, a key component of vitamins B2, B6 and E. While the scent fades over time, it’s still there, and you’ll likely smell it long after application, making it a night-time savior rather than something you’d rather be doing while you’re out socializing for the day. Something that would have been used before.
You can find medical creams in Japanese drug stores.
cream
Natural plant skin care cream rich Glides onto skin like warm icing on a freshly baked cake, enveloping your skin in a luxurious, velvety texture that melts and sinks into skin. Crafted in Okinawa’s warm subtropical climate, in stark contrast to Tokyo’s cold, dreary winters, the cream’s formula has been perfected over three years of testing and refinement.
This moisturizer is infused with a nourishing blend of fresh, cold-pressed food-grade oils, including jojoba, shea, apricot, baobab, pomegranate, damask rose, and frankincense. The result is the ultimate nighttime winter moisturizer that deeply hydrates and rejuvenates sensitive skin, even in the harshest conditions.
Nature Plants Skin Care recommends storing this and other products in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. To experience the full benefits, start using it immediately after purchase.
Explore the Natural Botanical Skin Care website to learn more about natural skin care products.
eye cream
Eye cream isn’t for everyone, especially considering the price for such a small amount, not to mention the fact that a good moisturizer will usually do the same job. However, since the skin around your eyes is thin and particularly sensitive to fragrances and ingredients, it’s worth exploring Japanese eye creams that are gentle and affordable. A popular option comes from a Japanese skin care brand KurelKnown for its fragrance-free products designed specifically for dry, sensitive skin.
For a deeply hydrating eye cream that’s fragrance- and color-free, consider Curél’s Moisturizing Repair Eye Cream. This gentle formula contains ceramides and anti-inflammatory ingredients to keep your under-eye area hydrated and wrinkle-free. The thick, creamy texture of the Repair Eye Cream is pillow-soft, making it a pleasant application experience. Plus, a little goes a long way!
You can find Curél products in Japanese drugstores.
hand essence
As winter approaches, washing dishes without gloves becomes even more dangerous for your hands because hot water can deplete your hands of their natural oils when they are already affected by low humidity. According to the American Association of Dermatology, dry skin can Make your hands grow oldwhich is obviously not ideal. What’s the solution? Siro Jam Hand Serum, Japan’s first hand care serum containing ingredients that reach directly into the dermis. This hand serum targets signs of aging, effectively reduces wrinkles and brightens skin. It’s enriched with niacinamide and a blend of organic oils (jojoba, pomegranate seed, rice butter, argan and inca inca oils) that hydrate while forming a barrier that locks in moisture.
Siro Jam is free of petroleum-based surfactants, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, colorants, chelating agents, parabens, silicones, UV absorbers and ethanol, providing a clean, gentle and worry-free formula. Its lightweight, melt-in-the-gel texture glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly, delivering moisture without any sticky or oily residue – a little goes a long way. When you apply it to the back of your hand, you’ll notice a subtle glow. It minimizes the appearance of uneven skin and visible veins almost instantly. For best results, apply Siro Jam before bed; you’ll wake up to hands looking plump and youthful.
Find Siro Jam online and in retail stores.
lip care
No article about dry skin is complete without a lip care section. Recently, I was talking to a coworker and I noticed that he reapplied lip balm multiple times as we traveled through colder climates. Out of curiosity, I asked him what he thought of the lip balm. He admits that he likes the balm mainly because of its affordability—two packs cost only 100 yen—but also admits that he runs out of it quickly.
While spending money on lip balm isn’t always a priority, spending a little extra on a high-quality product with lip-nourishing ingredients can make a big difference. A well-formulated lip treatment or lip balm can keep your lips hydrated and protected for longer, especially during harsh winter conditions, thereby reducing the need for constant re-applying and saving you in the long run. Save money.
Obagi is a great drugstore option for lip care Derma Power X Lip Serum. This treatment contains the same benefits Derma Power X Essence The brand’s popular skin care range contains evening primrose extract, six peptides and collagen. In addition to Power While the texture is creamy and glossy, reminiscent of a rich lip mask, the Lip Serum protects your lips from dry air with a lightweight, breathable barrier. Unlike other lip balms, it leaves your lips plump and hydrated without having to reapply, making it a long-lasting winter essential.
You can find Derma Power X Lip Essence in Japanese drugstores.