Washing your face at the beginning and end of the day is an essential step in a healthy skincare routine. However, one of the worst things you can do to your skin is to apply excessive amounts of friction, which means you shouldn't vigorously rub your face with your hands, and instead, ideally have a dense layer of foam sandwiched between your face and your hands. Unfortunately, lathering your face wash with your hands can be time-consuming and requires technique to get a good lather, and most of the time, the bubbles just don't last very long.
Foaming nets are ingenious products that allow you to create a voluminous, dense lather in no time. Additionally, you can use less product than you would if you were to lather your face wash with your hands, allowing you to enjoy your favorite products for longer. Today, many companies and brands, such as Marna, KOKUBO, Fancl, and Bulk Homme, to name a few, have released foaming nets in all shapes and sizes, making it difficult to know which one to choose.
To determine which foaming nets are the best, we gathered the 21 best-selling products from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and @Cosme SHOPPING, and tested them all.
We then ranked the 10 best Japanese foaming nets based on our test results, and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese foaming nets available online in 2022.
Quick List - Top Japanese Foaming Nets
Marna
Uniquely Shaped Net With Superb Foam Volume and Density and Storage Hook
Aoi Funayama is a beauty expert. After managing a beauty salon specializing in facial treatments, she now promotes beauty-related information and tips on Japanese TV, magazines, online platforms, and talk shows. She's also an advisor to cosmetics brands.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Foaming nets, sometimes called face wash nets, were first invented in Japan in 1999 by KOKUBO after one of the company's staff complained about how she couldn't get a decent lather out of her face wash using her hands.
Using a foaming net is the quickest and surest way to create a dense and fluffy foam with your face wash or soap for easier and more convenient cleansing.
Japanese foaming nets also help stretch the life of your cleansing products since they produce more voluminous foam with less product. Foaming nets create a rich foam by incorporating air into the cleanser, making micro-bubbles that can gently cleanse your skin and remove impurities and dirt from the skin's surface, which in turn helps reduce friction.
When lathering by hand, it can be difficult to balance the ratio of water to cleanser, making it challenging to create a thick, meringue-like foam. However, you can circumvent this difficulty by using a foaming net.
Washing with a good quality foam reduces friction on the skin, preventing the skin from drying out and reducing the risk of blemishes caused by friction.
Here are four major points to look out for when choosing the right foaming net for your particular needs.
You might think of a bag-shaped net when you envision a foaming net. But in fact, a few types are available, including ball-shaped nets. Each has different characteristics, so choose the one that best fits your preferences.
The bag type is the most common type of foaming net. It's used by massaging the face wash into the net with both hands. It produces foam quickly and easily, making it ideal for first-time users.
In our foam volume tests, products with multiple layers of netting or small sponges inside tended to produce a denser foam. These bag-type nets with additional layers or sponges cost a little more than simpler ones, but we recommend them for those who value foam density.
Like the bag type, ball-type foaming nets produce foam by massaging in the cleanser. What makes these great is that they can be used with one hand, which is useful for hectic mornings when you're in a rush or when bathing with children.
However, through our testing, we found that compared to bag types, it was more challenging to squeeze the foam out of the ball-type net. Therefore, it may take some time to get used to these types. The smaller the ball type, the smaller the amount of foam that can be squeezed out, so it's better to initially choose one that's slightly on the larger side.
Ball-types, unlike bag-types, don't have a ribbon so storage can be a concern. In that case, you can store the foaming net inside a laundry net to let it dry.
The larger the size of the net, the more foam tends to be produced. Therefore, if you want to use a net to create a lot of foam to lather, we recommend choosing a net as large as possible. Of course, make sure it still feels comfortable in your hand.
The more foam your net can help you make, the more you can get away with using less product each time and save you money in the long run.
If the net is too small, it can be difficult to rub it effectively, so make sure to find a size that matches the size of your hand.
The mesh size of nets vary from fine to coarse. In general, the finer the mesh, the finer and denser the texture of the foam. However, some products have a double-layer structure with a coarse outer mesh and a fine mesh material within to produce an extra fine lather, so be sure to keep an eye out for your foaming net's structure.
Through our testing, we also found that the size of the mesh affects how it feels when rubbed against the skin. The finer the mesh, the gentler the net is against the skin, while the coarser the mesh, the rougher it tends to be against the skin.
Of the many materials available, organza has a very fine mesh, so it can be used to create finely textured foam.
If the face-washing net is difficult to use or requires effort for storage, it may cause stress. Make sure to check the ease of use of your product.
The ribbon or ring attached to foaming nets aren't just helpful during lathering but are also helpful for storage as they act as storage hooks. Many products come with ribbons and rings but do make sure that they fit the size of your fingers and feel comfortable when handling them.
Also, if you're concerned about hygiene, choosing a product with antibacterial properties is a good idea. Note that some materials may deteriorate quicker than others because of the daily friction. Polyethylene has excellent durability, so if you're concerned about longevity, we recommend products made with this material.
After use, it is best hygienically-speaking, to hang it to dry in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
I recommend replacing your foaming net every three months, as they're prone to bacteria growth.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marna Bubble Factory Foaming Net | ![]() | Uniquely Shaped Net With Superb Foam Volume and Density and Storage Hook | |
2 | Bulk Homme The Bubble Net Frothing Net | ![]() | Four-Layered Large Foaming Net With High Foam Volume | |
3 | Fancl Dense Foaming Net | ![]() | Double-Layered Net With Great Foam Density and Storage Ring | |
4 | Haba Style Perfect Foaming Net II | ![]() | Soft and Fine Foaming Net With Sponge for Gentle Scrubbing | |
5 | NAPO Mimura Foaming Balloon Net | ![]() | Polyethylene Foaming Net With Soft Netting for Whipped Cream-Like Foam | |
6 | KOKUBO Whip Foam Net | ![]() | Foam Net That Makes Dense Foam but Has Stiffer Net Material | |
7 | ETVOS Facial Cleansing Net | ![]() | Cleansing Net That Produces Thick Foam But at Low Volume | |
8 | Mediplus Foaming Net | ![]() | Bag Shaped Net That Produces Dense Foam but Is a Bit Inconvenient to Use | |
9 | Skin Baby The Bubble Net | ![]() | Four-layer Foam Net That Makes Dense But Low Volume Foam | |
10 | Chantilly Rosa Rosa Foaming Net 2P | ![]() | Compact Travel Sized Net That Makes Dense but Low Volume Foam |
Marna's Bubble Factory Foaming Net is a soft net with a four-layer structure and sized perfectly to make squeezing out bubbles easy. It also has a hook for storage, which is unusual as face nets often have rings or ribbons instead of hooks.
It performed excellently in both our volume and density tests, with 6.55 grams of foam produced. and securely holding a 10-yen coin up in place for 36 seconds.
The somewhat unique shape of the net with a closed hem makes it easy to squeeze the foam out. The hook may be slightly more difficult to use when making foam than rings or ribbons, but considering the ease of storage, we say that the advantages are greater. We recommend this facial cleansing net to those who value good quality and quantity of lathering foam but also ease of storage.
Bulk Homme's THE BUBBLE NET is a foaming net is a larger net with a vertical length of 10 inches. The net also has four layers in order to incorporate air better and produce foam more efficiently. In the foam density test, a 10 yen coin was kept in place for a substantial eight seconds.
In the foam volume test, possibly due to its multi-layer structure, this product created the second highest foam volume among other nets tested at 6.88 grams. This product's main selling point is its large size. We thought it may be cumbersome to handle, but that wasn't the case at all. It's easy to use for both men and women and is perfect for sharing with partners and family members.
FANCL's Dense Foaming Net has a double-layered net that efficiently incorporates air and water to make a great lathered foam. The back of the net also features a measuring table that shows the proper amount of Fancl's Face Cleansing Powder you should use per application.
In the foam volume test, 3.68 grams of foam was produced, which is a decent amount. In our foam density test, it held a 10 yen coin for 26 seconds, an excellent result that makes it one of the top-rated products in terms of density. We recommend this product to those who value foam density and want to wash their face with a thick and creamy foam.
The moderate size makes it easy for anyone to use. The string attached to the product is for hanging it up and can be a bit difficult to put your fingers through when lathering, but it's great for storage.
Haba Style's Perfect Foaming Net II is made with several layers of soft, fine netting with a sponge inside. When tested, the amount of foam created was 3.24 grams, which is a decent amount of foam. Due to the sponge inside of the net, the foam was dense enough to hold a 10-yen coin for 31 seconds, for which it received a perfect score for density.
This product feels great when rubbed against your face, due to the soft and gentle netting. The length of the net, from the ring to the hem, fits comfortably in the hand, which was another added bonus of this product.
NAPO's MIMURA Foaming Balloon Net is a four-layer foaming net made of soft polyethylene. The most notable thing about this product is that it produces thick and dense foam. In our test, it kept a 10 yen coin up for 99 seconds, earning it a perfect score for foam density. Although the volume of foam produced wasn't very large, it created a dense and soft foam that resembled whipped cream.
It was also easy to use, and the closed hem allowed us to squeeze out the foam quickly. The soft material of the netting is pleasant to the touch, and lathering the foam went smoothly, especially with its compact size.
KOKUBO Whip Foam Net is said to quickly and finely lather soap or facial cleansing foam with a comfortable polyethylene net. The top of the net folds back into a loop, squeezing out foam quickly.
In our volume test, the foam produced was a decent 3.55 grams, and in our density test, it kept a 10 yen coin up for 61 seconds. As the product name suggests, it produces dense foam that looks like whipped cream.
However, the net's fabric is stiff and can be a bit abrasive when lathering foam by hand, so if you're looking for soft netting, we recommend you look elsewhere. In terms of size, it's medium-sized, making it easy to use. If you want to wash your face with thick and dense foam, we recommend this product.
ETOVOS's foaming net is made of two layers of meshing with a large external mesh and fine internal organdie which gives it its soft texture. It is characterized by its compact size and smooth feel on the skin.
In our foam density test, a 10 yen coin was held in place for an incredible 125 seconds, demonstrating its outstanding ability at producing thick foam. However, the volume of foam produced was small. This is perfect for those who want to wash their face with a creamy and dense foam.
The soft, smooth texture of the net causes minimal friction when lathering, and doesn't irritate hands. It's a little on the small side, but once you get used to it, you'll have no problem using it.
Mediplus' Foaming Net is a double-layered, bag-shaped facial cleansing net made of polyethylene material. In our foam volume test, this net produced 4.58 grams of foam, for which it received a high score. In the foam density test, it produced foam that was dense enough to hold a 10 yen coin for eight seconds, which was average.
In our ease of use tests, testers reported that the soft feel of the product on the skin was favorable. It's recommended for those who want soft netting that's comfortable to wash with. The size is moderate and allows for efficient lathering. However, one regrettable point was that the ribbon sometimes sticks to the net when wet, making it challenging to pass your fingers through it.
Skinbaby's foaming net is a four-layer, bag-shaped net made of fine-grained polyethylene material. In our foam volume test, the amount of foam created was only 2.46 grams, which lowered the overall rating. On the other hand, in our foam density test, the foam produced by it kept a 10 yen coin up for 46 seconds, earning a high rating. This product produces thick mochi-like foam to wash your face with.
This product is easy and comfortable to use. Plus, despite the small size of the ring, this product is easy to store.
Chantilly's Rosy Rosa Foaming Net 2P is a product that comes in a package of two seven-inch nets. In our foam volume test, only 2.66 grams of foam was produced, which was below average. The small size of the net likely affected the amount of foam made. However, the density of the foam was satisfactory, as it kept a 10 yen coin up for 31 seconds.
Although the volume of foam was disappointing, the density of the foam made was rated highly. In terms of ease of use, the ribbon attached to the ring is relatively short, making maneuvering it while lathering a bit difficult. Its compact size means that it is great for travel purposes, though!
We gathered the 21 best-selling Japanese foaming nets from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and @Cosme SHOPPING, and tested them all.
We tested each product for the following:
First, we tested each product for how much foam they produced.
To do this, we selected one type of face wash and dispensed exactly two grams. We then wet the foaming net and lathered it for 30 seconds. After that, we weighed the total volume of foam produced.
Next, we tested the foam density produced by each foaming net.
After lathering the foam, we measured and placed a set amount of the foam on a plate. Then, we put a 10 yen coin (roughly the weight of a nickel) on top of the foam to measure how many seconds it could hold the coin.
Finally, we tested how easy the foaming nets were to use based on the following points.
What we tested the products for:
First, soak your net with water, then take a pinch of face wash and rub it into the net with both hands to produce foam.
The trick to lathering foam is to incorporate air into the face wash product and water mixture by rubbing the surfaces of the net against each other.
Once a foam lather is created, gently and carefully wash your face.
Steps:
Use the midsection of your ring, middle, and index fingers for the forehead, chin, and cheeks, and the midsection of your ring finger for the bridge of the nose to the nose.
For the furrows of the nose that are prone to blackheads, gently wash by rolling the foam in 10 small circles.
Use lukewarm water, since it relaxes and opens up the pores better than cold water.
Now that you've purchased your perfect foaming net, you'll need an equally perfect face wash to use with it. Luckily, we have plenty of suggestions.
Translation: Kazuma Fujiwara, Mai T.
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No. 1: Marna|Bubble Factory Foaming Net
No. 2: Bulk Homme|The Bubble Net Frothing Net
No. 3: Fancl|Dense Foaming Net
No. 4: Haba Style|Perfect Foaming Net II
No. 5: NAPO|Mimura Foaming Balloon Net
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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