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  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More) 5

10 Best Tried and True Japanese Blotting Papers in 2022 (Muji, DHC, and More)

On days where your face feels oily, you start seeing a shine, and you run out of powder, you'll probably be reaching for oil blotting paper. These compact and portable pieces of paper are absorbent; they soak up excess oils and oftentimes, even leave your makeup unsmudged. Using them makes wiping off excess sebum a snap. With so many on the market, though, it can be hard to figure out what to get.

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: 


  1. How absorbent each sheet was
  2. 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.

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Japanese Blotting Paper

1

Yojiya

Japanese Oil Blotting Paper
Japanese Oil Blotting Paper

The Best All-Around Blotting Paper

2

Kamiya

Oil Blotting Paper Sumi
Oil Blotting Paper Sumi

Works Well in Absorbing Oil

3

Yoshitaka Kinpaku

Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin

Practical and Reliably Thick Paper

4

Kose Softymo

Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold
Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold

Stylish Packaging for Adults and Teens Alike

5

DHC

Oil Blotting Paper Large
Oil Blotting Paper Large

Biggest Sheets With Great Absorbency

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Guide
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Table of Contents

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How to Choose Japanese Blotting Paper

Here are two big things to look out for.
1

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

Normal to Combination Skin Should Use Washi-Type Paper
If you have normal or combination skin, Japanese washi-type, smaller-sized blotting paper is the better choice. Washi paper isn’t capable of absorbing a lot of oil at once, so it’s good for blotting specific spots like your T-zone. Since the sheets are small, they're also compact and easy to carry around, which is another plus point.

Film-Type Paper is Good for Oily Skin

Film-Type Paper is Good for Oily Skin
If your skin is on the oily side, we’d recommend film-type or larger-sized sheets. These sheets are made with polypropylene, a powerful absorbing ingredient, so they are capable of sucking up a ton of oil at once and eliminating worrisome shine. 

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!

2

Consider the Senses – and Not Just Yours

Consider the Senses – and Not Just Yours
Is the paper soft? Will it irritate your skin if you rub it too hard? Can you handle the scent? While it may be difficult to judge factors such as touch and scent before ordering something online, there are reviews for each product that can help you gauge whether a product is right for you.


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.

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Japanese Blotting Paper Ranking

Here are the best Japanese Blotting Paper, ranked according to 10 Best Japanese Blotting Papers (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity

Products

Image

Click to purchase

Key features

1

Yojiya

Japanese Oil Blotting Paper

Yojiya  Japanese Oil Blotting Paper 1

The Best All-Around Blotting Paper

2

Kamiya

Oil Blotting Paper Sumi

Kamiya  Oil Blotting Paper Sumi 1

Works Well in Absorbing Oil

3

Yoshitaka Kinpaku

Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin

Yoshitaka Kinpaku  Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin 1

Practical and Reliably Thick Paper

4

Kose Softymo

Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold

Kose Softymo  Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold 1

Stylish Packaging for Adults and Teens Alike

5

DHC

Oil Blotting Paper Large

DHC  Oil Blotting Paper Large 1

Biggest Sheets With Great Absorbency

6

Rosy Rosa

Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper

Rosy Rosa Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper 1

Felt Good to Use and Had Decent Absorbency

7

Muji

Oil Control Blotting Paper

Muji Oil Control Blotting Paper 1

Decent in Oil Blotting, Use, Quality, and Price

8

Yoshitaka Kinpaku

Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin3 pack

Yoshitaka Kinpaku  Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin 1

A Great Standard for Japanese Blotting Paper

9

Kanebo

Beauty Works Blotting Paper

Kanebo  Beauty Works Blotting Paper 1

Use This for Easy, Slight Touch Ups

10

Martinique

Oisesan Blotting Paper

Martinique  Oisesan Blotting Paper 1

Thin and Hard, but Great Absorbency

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Yojiya
Japanese Oil Blotting Paper

Japanese Oil Blotting Paper 1
Japanese Oil Blotting Paper 2
Reference price
$22.49
High
Reference price
$22.49
High

The Best All-Around Blotting Paper

Out of all the blotting papers we tested out, these are the ones that felt best to use and had the most absorbing powers. The Japanese washi paper is so delicate yet strong that other blotting papers just don’t stack up to it. One of our testers even claimed when they used the paper prior to applying makeup, the finish of their makeup ended up totally different in a good way.

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!
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No.2

Kamiya
Oil Blotting Paper Sumi

Oil Blotting Paper Sumi 1
Oil Blotting Paper Sumi 2
Reference price
$3.86
Mid
Reference price
$3.86
Mid

Works Well in Absorbing Oil

Besides its incredible absorption strength, the dark shade of Kamiya’s charcoal-colored blotting paper gave us the ability to see the oil removed from our pores. All it took was one sheet to do the job. We also found the size of both paper and package perfectly portable.

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.
No.3

Yoshitaka Kinpaku
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin

Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin 1
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin 2
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin 3
Reference price
$4.47
Mid
Reference price
$4.47
Mid

Practical and Reliably Thick Paper

Yoshitaka Kinpaku’s Blotting Paper for Professionals feels like just that – professional. The super-strength papers are thick yet soft, and just one sheet is enough to absorb that shiny layer of oil on your 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.
No.4

Kose Softymo
Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold

Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold 1
Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold 2
Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold 3
Reference price
$4.06
Mid
Reference price
$4.06
Mid

Stylish Packaging for Adults and Teens Alike

We had no complaints when it comes to how well these Lachesca blotting papers absorbed oil from our skin, and what really tickled our fancy is that we could see the results on the gold-colored paper. It’s also a pretty portable size, so you can take it with you on the go.

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.
No.5

DHC
Oil Blotting Paper Large

Oil Blotting Paper Large 1
Oil Blotting Paper Large 2
Oil Blotting Paper Large 3
Reference price
$7.37
Mid
Reference price
$7.37
Mid

Biggest Sheets With Great Absorbency

Okay, so this is a little too big to tuck discreetly into your handbag, but we think DHC’s large blotting paper would be a great addition to your countertop or office desk. Some may have a hard time figuring out how to use this large-sized paper effectively, but we were blown away by its ability to absorb oil.
No.6

Rosy Rosa
Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper

Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper 1
Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper 2
Mino 100% Washi and Natural Hemp Oil Blotting Paper 3
Reference price
$3.12
Low Mid
Reference price
$3.12
Low Mid

Felt Good to Use and Had Decent Absorbency

We’re not sure what to compare the feeling of this blotting paper to anything other than really soft tissues with lotion. It feels absolutely great on the skin with the perfect balance of soft and gentle. One of our staff even said it felt like the shape of the paper was forming to their skin.

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.
No.7

Muji
Oil Control Blotting Paper

Reference price
$1.42
Low

Decent in Oil Blotting, Use, Quality, and Price

Despite the low price, we were surprised at how effectively this blotting paper absorbed oil from our skin. It costs a bit more to buy it from a site other than Muji, but when you consider there are 100 sheets in a pack and that they’re made with delicate washi paper, we’re sure you wouldn’t mind shelling out a few extra dollars.

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.
No.8

Yoshitaka Kinpaku
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin3 pack

Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin 1
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin 2
Blotting Paper for Professionals for Normal to Oily Skin 3
Reference price
$19.86
High
Reference price
$19.86
High

A Great Standard for Japanese Blotting Paper

We can’t get enough of Yoshitaka Kinpaku products in our top 10 ranking and for good reason. The thin paper is quite soft and didn’t irritate our skin during our tests. With its high absorbency qualities and its simple packaging, we think this should be the standard for Japanese blotting paper. It would be a great addition to your desk at home or at work.
No.9

Kanebo
Beauty Works Blotting Paper

Beauty Works Blotting Paper 1
Beauty Works Blotting Paper 2
Beauty Works Blotting Paper 3
Reference price
$6.24
Mid
Reference price
$6.24
Mid

Use This for Easy, Slight Touch Ups

Rather than a blotting paper to use when your skin is super oily, we found it was better to use for speed-up cosmetic touch-ups. It removed just enough oil to make patting on some extra powder less of a mess. We also found them pretty absorbent and compact.

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.
No.10

Martinique
Oisesan Blotting Paper

Oisesan Blotting Paper 1
Oisesan Blotting Paper 2
Reference price
$3.85
Mid
Reference price
$3.85
Mid

Thin and Hard, but Great Absorbency

Oisesan’s oil blotting paper definitely has absorbing power. We were a bit worried about how stiff the paper felt when we first took out a sheet, but it didn’t irritate our skin in the end.

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

We put the 18 most popular blotting papers through two tests, each designed to gauge a different factor. We tested each product for the following:

1. How absorbent the paper was
2. How the whole product felt to use

Test ① Absorbency

Test ① Absorbency
The most important thing a blotting paper should do is absorb oil. We tested this by pouring horse oil–which is very similar to human-produced oil–onto a surface. Then, we pressed a sheet of blotting paper to the oiled spot using our pointer, middle, and ring finger. When we removed our fingers from the paper, we laid the paper out to see how much oil it had absorbed.

Ones Made for Oily Skin Were the Most Absorbent

Ones Made for Oily Skin Were the Most Absorbent
It’s probably not that surprising to know that the most absorbent blotting papers were ones made specifically for people with oily skin, specifically, ones with sebum absorption powder (silica) or using bamboo charcoal paste.

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

Test ② How It Felt to Use
We asked staff who do and don’t use blotting paper on a regular basis to test the selected products. They then scored each type of blotting paper on how it felt to the touch, its scent, its size, and its portability. 

Bigger Sheets are Harder 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

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.

Top 5 Japanese Blotting Paper

No. 1: Yojiya Japanese Oil Blotting Paper

No. 2: Kamiya Oil Blotting Paper Sumi

No. 3: Yoshitaka Kinpaku Blotting Paper for Professionals for Oily Skin

No. 4: Kose Softymo Lachesca Oil Blotting Paper Gold

No. 5: DHC Oil Blotting Paper Large

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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