The Tamesis
Every time I open Instagram, someone I know is in Japan; every time, I have to stop myself from swiping up to ask them to bring me back a bottle or two of Japanese sunscreen. I quickly remembered that as Japanese beauty becomes more and more accessible in the United States, you no longer need to book a flight to Tokyo to get the good stuff.
Understanding Japan’s sunscreen culture can make it easy to understand why these SPFs are so great. In Japan, sun protection is considered a daily ritual. It’s not uncommon for people to use wide-brimmed hats, gloves or even parasols to protect themselves from UV rays. That said, brands have created dozens of options that make sunscreen something anyone will want to put on, often with an optimized sensory experience than Western-formulated sunscreens.
FashionFavorite Japanese sunscreen
Since Japan is hot and humid most of the year, these formulas are often very lightweight and blend seamlessly into the skin without leaving the sticky or chalky feel that traditional SPFs can leave behind. Similar to Korean sunscreens, many also contain skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. “These additives enhance sun protection, contribute to overall skin health, provide moisture and fight signs of aging,” says Superegg founder and practicing esthetician Erica Choi.
Japan also has strict sunscreen regulations to ensure high standards and quality of safety and effectiveness. “Many brands in Japan use advanced UV filters and innovative technologies to make sunscreen hypoallergenic and multifunctional, meaning it can nourish your skin, hydrate, protect your skin from pollution, and even act like a primer,” explains licensed esthetician Kyoko Getz. Next up, our favorite Japanese sunscreens available in the US that are lightweight, hydrating, and easy to add to any routine.
