I get 3 sessions (spaced about a month apart) of IPL treatment roughly every 3-5 years to give my skin the freshest possible slate. Since I had a few post-pimple dark marks that I wanted to obliterate, I went in for my 1st session at the end of January.
While I had no downtime save for some minor redness, my primary objectives after IPL (or any sort of chemical peels) would always be protect, moisturise, and soothe! These were all the skincare products that I’ve been using post-treatment. No experimenting, no exfoliating, and no potent serums — just a very pared-down routine using tested products that focus on the 3 essentials.
AM 🌞
Cow Brand Mutenka Moisturising Facial Foam
MUJI Light Toning Water High Moisture
Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturiser
ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk
ANESSA Perfect BB Base Beauty Booster
PM 🌛
Cow Brand Mutenka Moisturising Facial Foam
MUJI Light Toning Water High Moisture
Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturiser
Sidmool Dr. Troub Skin Returning Zinc Cream (on areas with redness)
Hi there — I know you’ve answered a lot of questions about why Japanese sunscreens can’t be used for a long day outside unless they’re specifically formulated for that, so I apologize if my question duplicates anything. With American sunscreens, you can use them all day as long as you keep reapplying them every two hours. Is this not the case with everyday Japanese sunscreen? I.e., if I’m outside for a while and keep reapplying it diligently, is it still not okay? Is it that Japanese sunscreens don’t necessarily work for two hours of sun exposure, like American sunscreens guarantee? Thanks so much – I’d really appreciate your answer!
It is recommended to reapply at least every 2 hours with American sunscreens since the UV filters will degrade, be absorbed, or simply fall off. It doesn’t guarantee that your skin will be protected for 2 hours of sun exposure at all — that’s the maximum amount of time. You can reapply every 2 hours the entire afternoon like clockwork but still end up with a sunburn and/or (worsened) hyperpigmentation. The sunscreen can be broken down a lot sooner.
I always strongly recommend people to follow the manufacturer’s advice. If you’re going to be doing outdoor activities, it’s best to use a sunscreen that is actually formulated for such purpose. Using a Japanese sunscreen formulated for everyday wear (ie. incidental sun exposure only) for a day outside in the sun is just a terrible idea. Sort of like using a Western day cream with SPF as your sole UV protection for a day at the amusement park in the summer. You, at best, go through the small amount of product even faster by having to constantly reapply, and at worst, get sunburn and/or hyperpigmentation.
Hi, I love your blog!!! please tell me which store is the best place to get most of the Japanese beauty especially skin care brands such as the ones you review: hada labo, exilir, transino, melano cc, senka, one by kose, aqua label, etc. Which store has most of these brands and more? Also, which place is best to order these brands online in japan for local delivery in Nagoya. thank you!!!!
There’re hundreds of brands in this site so it depends on the brand in question. The ones you just mentioned can be found it large drugstores and supermarkets, but do note that merchandise and price greatly vary depending on each location even for chains! If you’re paying retail price (or close to it) for any of them in Japan, you’re paying way too much since they’re always on discount at one retailer or another.
I personally order from Amazon Japan the most (especially for mainstream brands) because I have Prime Now. Delivery is the same day.
Thank you so much for your response, is there any particular supermarket or drugstores you recommend to go to for mainstream brands?
And also, which brands do you recommend highly for skin care?
I prefer shopping for drugstore mainstream brands online than in stores. I do like Matsukiyo (use their app to download coupons!) at Shinjuku 3 chome. Ainz & Tulpe in Harajuku and Sundrug in Ikebukuro as well. OS Drug in Ueno is usually the cheapest among Tokyo drugstores, but the store is cramped.