9 Best Japanese Moisturizers for Deep, Lasting Hydration

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to moisturizer shopping, whether you’re looking for a rich night cream for baby-soft skin in the morning or a lightweight hydrating gel that melts into your skin without any stickiness. While many people look to Korea for face cream inspiration, the best Japanese moisturizers are also worth your attention. They’re known for being efficient and, in many cases, surprisingly affordable.

Esthetician Kyoko Getz says J beauty begins with respecting the skin’s natural rhythm. “It’s not about forcing quick results or covering up imperfections, it’s about protecting and nourishing the skin so that it looks its healthiest over time.” Specifically, moisturizer is designed to help skin naturally retain moisture, rather than sealing it under a heavy layer. “That’s why Japanese moisturizers tend to be lightweight, liquid, and absorbent, designed to disappear into the skin but stay on for a long time.”

Below, with guidance from Getz and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lauren Moy, we’ve broken down nine of the best Japanese moisturizers currently available in the United States, including key ingredients, ideal skin types, and personal considerations to help you choose.

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Best overall performance: Curel Japanese Skin Care Intensive Facial Moisturizer

• Why we love it: For quick hydration, this moisturizer is specially formulated for dry, sensitive skin and is a best-seller in Japan. The secret, according to Dr. Moy, is its ceramide-rich ingredients, which help restore the skin’s moisture barrier. “It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly,” she adds. For best results, the brand recommends using it with a serum primer as a simple two-step method, although it layers well with any serum you like.
• Editor experience: “The thing that stands out to me about the Curel Moisturizer is its lightweight texture, which is a big plus for sensitive skin, not to mention the fact that it’s fragrance-free. When I need a little extra hydration, I like to pair it with the brand’s other moisturizing products, like the Deep Moisturizing Mist, which I love so much, and the Hydrating Face Cream. Everything builds up easily and doesn’t pill.” —Iman Balagam, Writer
• Main ingredients: Ceramide
• most suitable: Dry, sensitive skin
• size: 1.4 oz.

Best for dry skin: Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Cream

• Why we love it: Decorté’s Repair Cream helps replenish moisture without leaving any greasiness. Getz explains, “At the heart of the formula are nighttime multi-layered bioliposomes, which are microscopic, layered carriers that help deliver repairing nutrients deep and slowly, so your skin wakes up looking plumper, smoother, and more radiant without irritation.” The formula also contains familiar botanicals like licorice leaf, mushroom extract, and grape extract for antioxidant support, while hyaluronic acid-rich molecules and birch water help boost hydration.
• Editor experience: “When it’s cold outside, I tend to reach for a more moisturizing moisturizer because my skin can use an extra boost during this time. While Decorté doesn’t cure my seasonal depression, I do notice that my skin is brighter and plumper in the morning after slathering it on at night. My only caveat is that it does come with a higher price tag compared to some other J-beauty products with similarly complex formulas.” —Iman Balagam, Writer
• Main ingredients: Licorice leaves, mushroom extract, grape extract, birch water
• most suitable: All skin types
• size: 1.7 oz.

Best for oily skin: Tatcha Hydrating Milk Moisturizing Cream

• Why we love it: If you’re familiar with the world of Tatcha moisturizers, you probably know the brand’s most popular Dewy Skin Cream. This lighter milk moisturizer expands the lineup for those who prefer lighter flavors. “This moisturizer contains Japanese purple rice, known for its antioxidant properties, and zinc hyaluronate, which hydrates,” explains Dr. Moy, adding that the lightweight formula absorbs quickly and can be easily layered over your makeup base.
• Editor experience: “The thing about moisturizer jars is that I always use my fingers, no matter how many spatulas a brand contains, even though I know that’s a bit of a bacteria feast. Thankfully, this Tatcha moisturizer skips the jar entirely instead of a pump, which makes it perfect for daily use and even better for travel (there’s a smaller travel size available). It’s not heavy at all, so if you’re looking for a richer night cream, I’d pick one of these up, but for anyone in the market for a lightweight daily moisturizer, this is an excellent option.” Iman Balagam, Writer
• Main ingredients: Zinc hyaluronate, prebiotic green tea extract, Japanese purple rice
• most suitable: Normal, oily, combination skin
• size: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz

best gel: Sekkisei herbal gel

• Why we love it: If you prefer a gel texture, this multi-tasking formula can be used day and night, perfect for streamlining your daily routine. Dr. Moy explains that the ingredient list is made up of traditional Japanese herbal ingredients, including fermented coix seed extract, angelica extract and aromatic extract, as well as mugwort, which has anti-inflammatory properties. “This multi-purpose gel provides hydration while also brightening the skin and improving its overall texture. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used as a moisturizer, mask or primer,” she adds.
• Editor experience: “I personally love gel moisturizers because they suit my skin well, are a great makeup base, absorb quickly, and don’t feel heavy. At night, I slather it on and use it as a sleep mask, so I wake up looking refreshed and refreshed, despite evidence that suggests otherwise.” —Iman Balagam, Writer
• Main ingredients: Coix seed extract, Angelica sinensis extract, Wolfsbane extract, Mugwort extract
• most suitable: All skin types
• size: 2.8 oz.

Best for oily skin: Hada Labo Tokyo Plumping Gel Cream

• Why we love it: “This lightweight gel-cream embodies many of the qualities I look for in a Japanese moisturizer,” says Getz. She explains that it’s gentle, fragrance-free, and formulated with the brand’s proprietary trio of hyaluronic acid, collagen, arginine, and ceramides, all of which help nourish the skin’s structure and barrier without damaging it. “This is perfect for sensitive, reactive and oily skin. It’s also the perfect layering moisturizer!” she adds. And for under $25, you can easily deposit it into your family’s Amazon account without attracting attention.
• Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramide, collagen
• most suitable: Sensitive, oily skin
• size: 1.76 oz.

Best for mature skin: Shiseido Essence Energy Moisturizing Cream

• Why we love it: Hydrating for up to 24 hours, this moisturizer leaves skin with a healthy glow and a distinct J-beauty feel. Dr. Moy explains that this lightweight formula contains ginseng root extract and two types of hyaluronic acid. However, she did note that “it has a stronger scent,” which may be a deterrent for those who prefer a fragrance-free formula. The cream is also great for mature skin; according to the brand, it takes four weeks of consistent use to see pores and fine lines visibly reduced.
• Editor experience: “This is definitely a sleep product that takes a few weeks to really see results, but once you do, you’ll be glad you keep using it. I like to use this moisturizer morning and night, often paired with a little gua sha to incorporate the ritual feel that J-beauty is known for. It easily fits in with the rest of my routine and feels hydrating enough that I don’t need to layer a thicker lip balm on top.” Iman Balagam, Writer
• Main ingredients: Ginseng root extract, hyaluronic acid
• most suitable: All skin types
• size: 1.7 oz.

Best Peptide Cream: Albion Infinesse Derma Impact Cream

• Why we love it: “If you have dry skin, this cream is a great option for you,” praises Getz. It’s primarily composed of peptides, which she explains are designed to support the skin’s own structure and elasticity over time due to their anti-aging properties. “The texture is rich but intentional. It blends into the skin without feeling heavy or sealing,” she says, adding that the cream feels especially good at night, when the skin is in repair mode and communicates best. “The results aren’t an instant lift, but a gradual feeling of strength—skin will feel firmer, calmer, and quietly elastic over time.”
• Main ingredients: OSK9 peptide, acetyl tetrapeptide-2
• most suitable: Dry, mature skin
• size: 1.06 oz.

Best for enlarged pores: Shinbi Japanese skin care moisturizing cream

• Why we love it: Shinbi is touted by Getz as the “quintessential” (non-derogatory) Japanese moisturizer and is a favorite among Japanese beauty brands. It contains rice fermentation and sake extract, which she explains are rooted in centuries of Japanese beauty wisdom. “They nourish, brighten and subtly refine texture, supporting skin rather than weighing it down.” While many moisturizers focus solely on hydration, this formula also contains enzymes that gently exfoliate, so with consistent use, you’ll notice brighter, more even-toned skin over time.
• Main ingredients: Rice fermented water, sake extract, hyaluronic acid
• most suitable: All skin types
• size: 2 oz.

Best Heavy Cream: DHC night moisturizer

• Why we love it: although Technically Dr Moi describes it as “a rich and very hydrating cream suitable for mature or dry skin and safe for all skin types”. As the name suggests, it’s designed for nighttime use and contains ingredients like olive oil, squalane, and rice bran oil to help lock in moisture. Dr. Moy points out that while thick creams are often associated with breakouts, this formula actually helps acne sufferers eliminate breakouts, so it’s safe to use.
• Main ingredients: Olive oil, squalene, vitamin E
• most suitable: Dry, mature skin
• size: 1.5 oz