In this post, you will learn how to quickly and effectively choose your Japanese skincare routine and the mindset to approach it with.

Skincare is a core part of Japanese culture, cultivated for centuries. It is very different from skincare in Poland.

Japanese skincare focuses on two factors: providing a large number of active ingredients to help the skin work better and delivering plenty of hydration.

The first thing you need to do before determining your skin type and searching for products is to familiarize yourself with active ingredients. You don't have to study entire articles, although that would be commendable. Just remember a few main properties of each active ingredient.

The most commonly found active ingredients in Japanese cosmetics are:

• Hyaluronic Acid/Hyaluron – retains moisture in the skin and maintains it. There are two types: macromolecular, which creates a protective barrier on the skin, and low-molecular, which penetrates the epidermis, fills gaps, and hydrates the skin.
• Collagen – helps restore skin firmness and increases hydration.
• Amino Acids – soften and increase the elasticity of the epidermis.
• Ceramides – assist in the process of rebuilding the epidermis and create a protective barrier that shields the skin from external factors such as UV radiation, dust, and dry air. They improve skin hydration.
• Vitamin C – a natural antioxidant that kills free radicals, brightens discolorations and skin tone, constricts blood vessels, and has anti-acne properties.
• Placenta – participates in the synthesis of collagen and elastin in cells, increases collagen levels in the body, and is a natural antioxidant due to its numerous vitamins.
• Coenzyme Q10 – improves skin elasticity, protects the epidermis, combats free radicals, oxygenates skin cells, and reduces wrinkles.
• Elastin – prevents wrinkles, significantly increases skin elasticity, thus inhibiting the formation of new wrinkles. It protects against external factors such as UV radiation and chemicals in makeup products and prevents water loss.
• Retinol – one of the forms of vitamin A, eliminates acne, reduces wrinkles, and regulates collagen synthesis in cells.

Of course, there are many more ingredients like vitamins A, E, peptides, etc. Just type them into Google and familiarize yourself with their effects.

Next, it's time to determine your skin type. I think you already have a rough idea.

Then, define your goals and what you want to achieve.

Often, phrases like "nice skin" come up, but what does nice skin mean for you, and what problems does your skin need to solve to achieve that? If you have acne-prone skin, you probably want to get rid of acne and its scars. If your skin has small dry patches, you likely want it to be more hydrated. Defining goals is important because it allows you to focus on selecting the right active ingredient.

The next step is to choose active ingredients and try to find suitable cosmetics.

What should your daily and evening routine look like?

Evening skincare:

1. Makeup remover oil/solution
2. Cream/gel face wash, always well-foamed
3. Keshosui (lotion) plus pakku (sheet mask)
4. Serum
5. Moisturizing milk (optional)
6. Closing cream
7. Facial massage (with hands or a massager)

Daily skincare:

1. Cream/gel face wash, always well-foamed
2. Keshosui (lotion) plus pakku (sheet mask)
3. Serum
4. Moisturizing milk (optional)
5. Sunscreen

Remember, start with the lightest consistencies, moving on to more gel-like and creamy products.

Now that you know the order of skincare, which often changes for seasoned veterans, you as a novice can use the above schemes to establish your routine and know what kinds of products to look for.

If you’re still feeling lost, sets for different skin types available in our store can serve as guidance.

Japanese skincare requires developing a routine. Prepare a "skincare station" – a special box or shelf in your bathroom, within reach, to make your daily skincare easier.

Don't forget about supplementation and massages that improve skin condition.