Our Favourite Beauty Products 2020: What We Found Out

2020 was such a stressful year, let us praise the products that kept us glowing throughout the troubling months.

Our list includes 10 various types of Japanese beauty products that we actually used in 2020 and were happy with, ranging from cleansers, face masks, lotions, sunscreens, moisturizers, and conditioners. Most products can be easily and affordably purchased from Japanese drugstores. Many of the products you might have seen or tried before too. 

Here’s what we, the Savvy Team, have to say about some of the most popular Japanese beauty products we tried this year:

Biore Makeup Remover Gel

Whether it’s a well-layered base make-up or waterproof mascara, Bioré’s Makeup Remover Gel melts away all the bad stuff from the pores. Just lightly stroke the soft gel that spreads smoothly on the skin over your face. It can be used with or without wetting your face and doesn’t require any further washing after rinsing. It resets your skin bare after a long day of makeup wearing and the very faint white floral scent puts you at ease after a busy day.

Price: ¥664
Beauty Category: Skincare
Why we Liked it: “Very soft to apply, actually removes makeup well and has a smooth finish to the skin.”
Why we Disliked it: “-”
Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Minon Amino Moist Mask

The Minon Amino Moist Mask makes fine wrinkles caused by dryness less noticeable. It supplies the face with moisturizing ingredients that help support the skin’s barrier function of keratin, which moisture-retaining function is prone to decline. The mask is infused with a gel beauty lotion that clings to the skin instead of dripping off.

Price: ¥1,200
Beauty Category: Skincare
Why we Liked it: “The mask is very moist with lots of fluids inside, feels refreshing on and after removal.”
Why we Disliked it: “I wasn’t sure if it actually improved my skin or just felt like it did.”
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆

Hadalabo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion

This Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion by Hadalabo has been recently renewed but continues to use the moisturizing ingredient “hyaluronic acid” which is packed with the moisture that the skin needs. It blends in well with the skin and moisturizes every corner of the stratum corneum. The lotion stays on for a long time and keeps the skin feeling fresh and soft.

Price: ¥1,000
Beauty Category: Skincare
Why we Liked it: “The texture is in between water and gel, and very pleasant on the skin.”
Why we Disliked it: “The packaging is not really easy to use as you can spill a lot by accident.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Panasonic Ion Effector

The Panasonic Beauty Premium Ion Effector delivers ion therapy all over the skin, which can help infuse vitamin C from your choice of serums and skin-care lotions deeper into the pores. To thoroughly cleanse your face, partner a cleansing lotion, serum, moisturizer, or face pack, etc. with the Ion Effector for a long-lasting enhanced effect.

Price: ¥32,900
Beauty Category: Beauty appliance
Why we Liked it: “I just love the massage function of this machine. The relaxing sensation on the skin is delightful.”
Why we Disliked it: “I don’t actually know if the ion minus and plus are doing anything at all.”
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆

Mukoomi Skincare Line

Mukoomi is a CBD-based skincare and wellness line. The skincare line offers gender-neutral CBD skincare and beauty products that target an ethnically diverse and age-diverse customer base. They don’t claim their products to be ‘anti-aging’ because they’re not against aging, they want to instead inspire people to embrace the skin they have now, and help maximize its potential.

Price: ¥3,500-¥15,000
Beauty Category: Skincare
Why we Liked it: “My skin craved moisture and Mukoomi served it well. The brand doesn’t drown you with a ton of alleged benefits or magic ingredients. Simple and clean, and that’s all we need. Shout out to their skin serum—the scent is to die for.”
Why we Disliked it: “The eye serum package is not adapted to the texture of the product, it’s difficult to apply in my opinion.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Nagi Period Panties

Once hard to find in Japan, reusable period panties are starting to appear in shops around Tokyo. The Nagi period panties are made in Japan, available in three different styles (standard, slim and full) and four colors on their online shop. You can wear them all day long like a regular panty, simply soak them for 20 min in lukewarm water before putting them in a washing net. You can put them together with your general laundry—just avoid the whites. The initial investment is nothing compared to the comfort of using “regular” underwear during your period!

Price: ¥5,775
Beauty Category: Lifestyle
Why we Liked it: “After years of spending too much money on something basically essential to all menstruating women, the concept of a one-time purchase is the absolute comfort. Plus, it’s environment-friendly! Lately, all sorts of design and colors are available on the market, making your periods like any other day when it comes to underwear. It changed my life.”
Why we Disliked it: “Some other brands or models are a little thick and take time to dry, if you don’t have enough panties it can be annoying.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

The Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence is a watery essence packed with 80% fermented yeast solution to target imbalanced skin. Although the essence is recommended for those with dry or normal skin, it can be used to moisturize, hydrate, firm, and brighten most skin types.

Price: ¥4,400
Beauty Category: Skincare 
Why we Liked it: “I felt like it was brightening my skin, slowly filling up the big pores, and smoothing the skin overall.”
Why we Disliked it: “I don’t recommend putting this over any wound (it burns a bit, then leaves a scar).”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence

The Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence is a lavender sunscreen that color-corrects dullness and reflects sunlight and light to increase the transparency of the skin. The sunscreen contains fine strobe pearls that give the skin a three-dimensional luster. The formula has a watery fresh texture that makes it a great makeup base and also allows it to be removed easily with some soap. The scent of mild savon will make your heart flutter and ease you from the chemical smell that other sunscreens often have.

Price: ¥683
Beauty Category: Sunscreen
Why we Liked it: “Good for oily skin, and doesn’t mess up the foundation color. It’s not sticky at all and very pleasant on the skin!”
Why we Disliked it: “I have to reapply it every 4 hours, or else I’ll get acne.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Mizu No Tenshi Gel 150g

The Mizu No Tenshi Skin Treatment Gel is a medicated whitening gel that suppresses the production of melanin and prevents blemishes and freckles caused by exposure to the sun’s UV-B radiation. Containing hyaluronic acid, placenta extract, and phyto collagen, the gel moisturizes the skin and prepares it to refresh. Since the gel is made from the cleanest water in Shikoku, the Anabuki River, it has a smooth texture that can be applied as many times as you want without any discomfort. 

Price: ¥5,660 for a set of two
Beauty Category: Skincare
Why we Liked it: “It can be used not only for the face but the whole body. I hate sticky creams but this one is really smooth and doesn’t leave any texture.”
Why we Disliked it: “It might not have enough moisturizing power for people with dry skin.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Kao Merit Conditioner

Kao’s Merit Conditioner is very moisturizing yet light so your hair will be smooth all day. Their “Dust Shield” technology makes it difficult for dust and dirt to adhere to the hair. It prevents hair tangling, dandruff, and itchiness whilst keeping the scalp moist and healthy. It is recommended that you use the Merit Shampoo along with the conditioner to get the best “dust shield” results. The conditioner has a gentle natural floral fragrance.

Price: ¥521
Beauty Category: Haircare
Why we Liked it: “My wavy hair that was unmanageable since I came to Japan is finally tamed!”
Why we Disliked it: “It contains silicons but considering the weather here I think it’s unavoidable for manageable hair.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Have you tried any of these products before? Feel free to comment down below your opinions on them. We would love to hear what beauty products you loved using in 2020 too!