10 Best Tried and True Japanese Face Creams in 2023 (Beauty Expert-Reviewed)

Coming in an adorable jar, Im's Rice Force Deep Series Deep Moisture Cream earned a perfect score in both its moisturizing ability and ingredients.

In our moisturization test, our testers saw an increase in moisture of a whopping 92.5% on average. Its highlight ingredient, Rice Power No.11 extract also helps the skin improve its ability to retain moisture. Additionally, it features other ingredients that assist in boosting your skin look and feel healthy.

This face cream has a light and fluffy, whipped cream-like texture. Its lack of any noticeable scent, as well as the fact that it doesn't leave an unpleasant stickiness, earned it high marks. This is a great face cream that can help deeply nourish dry skin.

As the name implies, Kanebo's Cream in Day is a face cream for daytime use. Featuring UV absorbers, it has a rating of SPF20/PA+++, and can also be used as a makeup base.

Formulated for deep moisturization, our testers saw on average a moisture retention of 96.1% after four hours after application in our moisturization test, proving that it can prevent the skin from drying out over long periods of time.

While this face cream was sticky for a while after applying, when it eventually settles in, it makes the skin feel moist and soft. Its soft and smooth texture helps it spread easily, and the supplied spoon-like spatula, which makes it easy to scoop out the appropriate amount, earned this face cream high scores.

This face cream is best for adding shine and moisture for those who are concerned about their skin drying out during the day.

Kao's Curél Cream contains allantoin, a gentle, moisturizing pseudo-ceramide that provides moisture without irritating the skin, making it a gentle face cream for sensitive skin. In our moisturization test, our testers saw an increase in average moisture of about 87%, helping their skin feel moderately hydrated.

This face cream is gently absorbed by the skin, thanks to its light and fresh texture. It doesn't leave a strong sticky residue, nor is it scented, making it versatile enough to be used by most. One drawback we did find, however, is that if you tilt the container, a large amount of the cream sticks to the bottom of the lid, so handle the jar with care.

The Moist Aging Care Cream from Whomee, a brand produced by popular Japanese hair and makeup artist Shinobu Igari, is a face cream that is formulated to address concerns regarding aging skin.

Our testers saw an average increase in moisture in the skin by 86.7%, proving its high moisturizing capabilities. Not only is it highly moisturizing, though, but it's also formulated with tons of ingredients that are suited for aging care as well as ingredients that help maintain healthy skin.

Our testers felt that their skin felt softer once the easily spreadable cream settled. While the compact size of the jar and its easily opened lid earned it a fairly high score in the feel test, our testers were divided regarding its stickiness and scent, so it might be a good idea to try a sample first, if possible.

Sato The Cream is an anti-aging face cream that helps with skin elasticity.

This face cream had one of the best results in the moisturization test, increasing average moisture amongst our testers by 95.7% thanks to ingredients like ectoin, ceramides, polyquaternium, and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate.

However, it's worth mentioning that this face cream has a high number of extracts, so those with delicate skin may want to take caution.

While its smooth texture and ease of application really shone through, it left a distinct greasiness that some may find off-putting. It also has a refreshing, orange-like scent, but it was also on the stronger side.

Orbis's U-Dot Moisture is a versatile face cream that can help add elasticity and brighten the skin.

Boasting top-class moisturizing capabilities, our testers saw a remarkable increase in average moisture in their skin of 93.4%. This cream notably features tranexamic acid, which prevents blemishes and freckles, and overall is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin.

The cream has a rich texture that adheres well and protects the skin from drying out. It also is unscented, adding to its versatility. The lid is easy to open and close, thanks to its unique droplet-like shape. However, it was on the stickier side, so it may not be the best choice for those who don't like sticky creams.

Shiro's Konbu Facial Cream uses Gagome kelp from Hokkaido and boasts incredible moisturizing capabilities.

Our testers found that upon using the cream, their skin felt moist and soft. In the moisturization test, they saw an average increase in moisture of 94.4%. However, since the only notable ingredient in this cream is Gagome kelp extract, it lost some points in the ingredients test.

As for the feel of the cream, the kelp wasn't very popular with our testers. Some testers were reluctant to apply something that smells strongly of seaweed on their faces, and the slimy texture didn't help, either. While the cream didn't drip, it was also slightly difficult to get out. However, the cream wasn't sticky, and it may be best for those who want a cream that settles well.

Kanebo's Fresh Day Cream is formulated to protect the skin from dryness-related damage during the day.

Having plenty of Phytosteryl Macadamiate, which helps retain moisture and soften the skin, this face cream earned high marks on the ingredients test, but it failed to earn a perfect score due to its high amount of UV absorbers, making it less gentle than other face creams. 

Still, with an average increase in moisture of roughly 57.2%, it performed reasonably in the moisturization test, helping prepare the skin to allow makeup to go on smoother.

The soft cream is absorbed quickly by the skin and its fresh floral scent and the fact that it doesn't leave a greasy feeling makes it perfect for the morning.

LuLuLun's Precious Cream contains a high amount of squalane, an oily ingredient that has excellent moisturizing abilities. 

After four hours post-application, our testers saw an increase of 71.2% moisture, helping hydrate the skin well. However, based on the ingredients label, it doesn’t seem to have a high amount of pseudo-ceramides.

Once making contact with the skin, the rich cream instantly changes to a light and non-sticky texture, adding a reasonable amount of moisture to the skin without feeling heavy. However, our testers were not impressed by the fact that you have to prepare a spatula yourself, and that the scent was too artificial.

Shiseido's Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream is characterized by its silky-smooth texture.

With an average increase in moisture of 90.8% in our moisturization test, this face cream's moisturizing capabilities really stood out. Its abundance of ingredients suited for anti-aging care, as well as its ingredients that help protect the skin, earned it high marks, but it's also formulated with caffeine to promote absorption, which may cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.

Still, formulated for a smooth texture, this skin spreads and settles in like no other face cream. Plus, the size and shape of the easy-to-hold container also add to its usability. If you don't mind its rosy scent, this cream will care for your skin with elegance.