My Favorite Beauty Finds from Japan

I came back from Japan with a suitcase full of skincare and haircare—and a renewed obsession with J and K beauty. There's something about the formulations, the textures, the quiet innovation. I’ll be honest: this haul was wildly successful. I’ve been testing everything, and while I genuinely love each of these products, one in particular has taken the top spot…

1. La Sana Seaweed Hair Essence

This. Is. It. My number one.
This leave-in treatment makes my hair feel soft like butter. I apply it on damp hair before styling, and the transformation is real—softer, shinier, and smoother with zero residue or weight.

The formula is built around a blend of nourishing oils and botanical extracts. Laminaria ochroleuca (seaweed) extract is the star—rich in minerals and antioxidants that help hydrate and protect. It’s paired with olive fruit oil, rice germ oil, and squalane to smooth the hair cuticle and lock in moisture. Royal jelly adds a touch of protein and shine, while tocopherol (vitamin E) and .gamma. docosapentaenoic lactone provide antioxidant support and softness.

The silky base of cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone gives it that weightless glide while protecting against heat and frizz. It’s the kind of product that doesn’t just coat your hair—it treats it. A total J-beauty gem.

2. Kose Tigeraid Cica Mask

I’ve already sung the praises of cica (Centella asiatica) in my latest post, and this sheet mask takes all the soothing benefits of cica and wraps them into one juicy, calming treatment. I reach for it when my skin feels congested, inflamed, or just generally out of balance.

At the heart of the formula is madecassoside, a powerful active derived from cica that helps calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier. It’s joined by niacinamide for brightening, panthenol for hydration and repair, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable vitamin C derivative that offers antioxidant protection without the sting. The mask also features prickly pear extract, wormwood leaf extract, and dogwood extract—all soothing botanicals that help dial down inflammation.

Add in glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, and inositol for a hydrating, plumping boost, and you’ve got a multi-tasking treatment that leaves skin calm, dewy, and refreshed. Perfect for post-travel, post-breakout, or post-too-much-life.

3. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream Mist

At first, I was worried this would be too rich—like spraying moisturizer on my face—but my skin has completely embraced it. I use it after a gentle toner, and it melts in, prepping my skin beautifully for the rest of my routine.

It’s built around 10,000 PPM ceramides and a Triple Lipid Complex of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol—mimicking the skin’s natural barrier to lock in hydration and strengthen over time. Glycerin and butylene glycol offer a hit of humectant moisture, while caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone help soften and smooth. There’s also tocopherol (vitamin E) for antioxidant protection, plus barrier-loving ingredients like behenic acid and hydroxypropyl bislauramide MEA to support skin integrity.

The fine mist makes it feel light, but the ingredients pack a punch. Hydrating, fortifying, and surprisingly breathable—this one’s a keeper.

4. BOH Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream

This one’s still in the early testing phase, but so far, I’m intrigued. It feels luxe and cushiony, and the formula is stacked with smart, skin-supporting ingredients. At the heart of it is Lactobacillus ferment lysate, part of the brand’s signature Probioderm complex, which works to help balance the skin’s microbiome and boost resilience.

It also includes fructooligosaccharides, inulin, and fructan—all prebiotics that help nourish beneficial bacteria on the skin. A blend of multi-weight peptides—like acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, and many more—target firmness, elasticity, and fine lines. There’s also beta-glucan, panthenol, and shea butter to hydrate and calm, plus adenosine for a gentle firming effect over time.

The formula feels sophisticated and barrier-friendly, with enough actives to make it feel like it’s doing something—without being overly aggressive. I’ll need more time to see what long-term results look like, but early impressions are promising.

5. Lululun Cleansing Toning Balm

My Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm will always be a holy grail—but I’m forever searching for great alternatives at a better price point. The e.l.f. Melting Makeup Cleansing Balm is one I love, and the Lululun Balm is another solid addition to that short list.

It’s packed with ingredients that go beyond basic cleansing. Rice nuka oil (aka rice bran oil) dissolves makeup while delivering antioxidant-rich nourishment. A trio of ceramides (NP, NG, and AP) supports the skin barrier, keeping your skin balanced post-cleanse. Panthenol and ectoin calm and hydrate, while Lactobacillus fermentation helps with gentle skin renewal and microbiome balance. There’s even guaiazulene, a soothing blue chamomile derivative known for calming redness and irritation, plus a hint of kaolin clay to lightly detox without drying.

The texture melts beautifully into the skin, rinses clean, and leaves your face feeling soft, not stripped. A true win for the double cleanse lovers.

6. Rejuran Dual Effect Ampoule

This is the product I’m most excited about. I’ve been curious about c-PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) for a while, and this ampoule delivers. c-PDRN is derived from salmon DNA and is believed to support skin regeneration, barrier repair, and collagen production.

This formula also contains a cocktail of peptides, adenosine, and hyaluronic acid, plus antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients that work to smooth, plump, and rejuvenate over time. The dual-chamber design keeps the actives fresh and potent until you mix them. I’ve just started using it, but I have high hopes—and I’ll definitely be reporting back.