10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More)
That's why our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites (such as @cosme, Amazon, and Rakuten) for the best blotting papers. We then chose the 18 most popular Japanese products, including ones from Yojiya and Muji, and tested them. We focused on two things:
- How absorbent each sheet was
- How it felt to use the product overall
We then compiled everything we learned into a buying guide about and list of the best Japanese blotting papers available online.
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How to Choose Japanese Blotting Paper
Pick a Blotting Paper That’s Right for Your Skin Type
Unless a blotting paper is specifically advertised as “for oily skin” or “for sensitive skin,” it can be a bit confusing to know which kind will work best for your skin type. Everyone is also very different, so make sure to check the points below and try to match it as best as you can with your own skin.
Normal to Combination Skin Should Use Washi-Type Paper
Film-Type Paper is Good for Oily Skin
You can usually get the job done with just one sheet, which means you won’t through a whole pack of paper in just a few seconds. It’s easy on your skin and your wallet!
Consider the Senses – and Not Just Yours
If a product is advertised as having a strong or unpleasant scent, you probably won’t want to use it around your nasal or T-zone area – that smell could linger in your nostrils even after use. Also, pay attention to what people say about the texture of the paper; while washi paper tends to be gentle, it’s not always the case.
10 Best Japanese Blotting Paper Ranking
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japanese Oil Blotting Paper Yojiya |  | No.1 | |
2 | Oil Blotting Paper Sumi Kamiya |  | No.2 | |
3 | Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin Yoshitaka Kinpaku |  | No.3 | |
4 | Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold Kose Softymo |  | No.4 | |
5 | Oil Blotting Paper Large DHC |  | No.5 | |
6 | Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper Rosy Rosa |  | No.6 | |
7 | Oil Control Blotting Paper Muji |  | No.7 | |
8 | Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin｜3 pack Yoshitaka Kinpaku |  | No.8 | |
9 | Beauty Works Blotting Paper Kanebo |  | No.9 | |
10 | Oisesan Blotting Paper Martinique |  | No.10 |
The only con we found with Yojiya’s blotting paper is that the sheets are a little hard to peel apart. Exercise caution when removing paper from the case and you should be fine!
We did notice the same problem with this paper as with the Yojiya blotting paper, though; when we tried to remove just one sheet, we had to rub it a bit to get it separate from the others. Again, use with a gentle hand and you should be all set.
Yoshitaka Kinpaku Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin
When our staff tried it out, they said it was easy to carry around and they liked that it didn’t mess up their foundation. However, they also said the packaging wasn’t exactly easy on the eyes, almost like a medical prescription product. If you don’t care too much about packaging, though, this blotting paper would be an excellent choice.
What we didn’t enjoy too much was the texture of the paper; this is the first non-washi paper in our ranking, and it felt a little stiff on our skin. It also has a scent that might turn some people off, but the compact size made this one highly rated.
Rosy RosaMino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper
It didn’t receive top scores in the absorbency department, but the way it made us feel more than makes up for it. We’d definitely recommend this blotting paper especially if you have sensitive skin.
Each sheet is about the size of a business card, so they’re great for when you have a greasy emergency and need a slight touch-up. We would have liked them to be a bit softer, but we can’t argue with that affordable price.
Yoshitaka Kinpaku Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin ｜ 3 pack
When we used this blotting paper on rather oily skin, however, the powder from the paper sort of clumped together and left behind residue. If you find the need to touch up your makeup, however, we’d still give this product a thumbs up.
What we didn’t enjoy too much about this blotting paper is that we found it a bit difficult to use in areas such as around the nose due to its texture.
How We Tested the Blotting Paper
1. How absorbent the paper was
2. How the whole product felt to use
Test ① Absorbency
Ones Made for Oily Skin Were the Most Absorbent
If you want to effectively blot out oil, then we suggest going for a paper formulated for oily skin. If you're only concerned about specific areas of your face, such as your T-zone, then you won't need to purchase blotting paper specifically for oily skin, but may find another type of paper that works best for your skin type all-around.
Test ② How It Felt to Use
Bigger Sheets are Harder to Use
The blotting paper that did well in the test were the ones made from softer materials. Staff told us that these types of paper felt as if they lightly stuck to the skin, making them comfortable to use and feel as if they were gently absorbing sebum. Plus, they weren't messy to use.
On the other hand, the blotting paper that stood out for doing poorly in this test was DHC's blotting paper. The size of the sheets was larger than the other blotting papers we tested and we heard a lot of opinions about the size affecting how easy it was to use around the nose area.
With larger-sized sheets, you may not need to use as many pieces of paper to remove oil, but this also makes it not as portable and a little more embarrassing to use in front of other people. We suggest buying one of a comfortable, smaller size.
How to Use Blotting Paper
When using blotting paper, you want to gently press it to your skin to properly use it. If you wipe with it, you'll mess up your makeup and if you press the paper too hard, then you'll actually cause abrasions to the skin.
You also don't want to use too much paper. If you keep pressing blotting paper until you can no longer see any sebum sticking to the sheets, then you'll be taking away sebum that is actually needed to keep your skin moisturized, so you could be drying out your skin instead. Make sure to only take off as much as needed.
Looking for Other Products for Oily Skin?
Dealing with your oily skin on the face wash level can help eliminate the need for blotting paper altogether. We ranked and made buying guides of skincare products marketed for those with oily skin. Read about which one could be right for you!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
