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Japanese drugstore products

30 Best Things You Must Buy From Japan’s Drugstore

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Nasreen Nasir •  Jan 11, 2024

Japan is a drugstore heaven and for good reason too! And we dare say that one does not simply enter a Japanese drugstore and leave without anything because the variety is endless and we love how innovative the products are! Based on our team's various trips to Japan, here are some of the best things we think you can bring home!

Do note that the items in drug stores might change over different seasons!

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1. &honey Hair Products

You've seen this brand all over TikTok and it lives up to the hype! &honey has a variety of products that tackle all sorts of hair issues such as Melty. Bonus is how sweet their shampoos, treatments, and hair oil smells! It's hard to find this brand outside of Singapore at this price point and a lot of them that we found were double the price!! So definitely grab this while you're in Japan instead!

Price: ¥1200

2. fino

Another popular brand making its rounds on TikTok, fino is an affordable hair brand that has raving reviews surrounding their hair mask and their hair oil too! The mask leaves your hair feeling very silky smooth and makes it look stunning!

Price: from ¥700

3. Keana Rice Masks

Face masks are all the rave in a lot of parts of East Asia. Keana Rice Masks will help you hydrate your skin and impart nutrients found in rice into your skin too. It leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. There are other variations of the mask that tackles a variety of issues too! Grab some and have a spa day back at your accommodation or home!

Price: ¥1100

4. Lu Lu Lun Face Masks

If you’re a sheet mask addict, you wouldn’t believe what Japan has to offer! Facial masks have been a common routine for Japanese women and tourists have been picking it up too. Lucky for us, the drugstores in Japan have plenty of them!

Lu Lu Lun Face Masks

And it’s the perfect excuse to get one during your trip because you can pamper your skin in between your schedules. Consider getting yourself the popular Lu Lu Lun Mask - super refreshing and so scented that you’d want to buy packs of it!

Price: ¥400 per pack (inclusive of tax)

Pokemon Lu Lu Lun Face Masks

*Bonus: Pokémon fans can have fun with the themed face masks too!

Price: From ¥880 per packet

P.S. Not sure what to get from Japan's convenience stores instead? Here are 9 Japanese convenience store snacks you didn't know were Muslim-friendly!

5. DHC Natural Lip Balm

Arguably the best lip balm there is in Japan (even bagged an award for best-selling lip product in the country!), you should definitely have a go at DHC’s Medicated Lip Cream!

DHC Natural Lip Balm

Perfect during the summer and even winter when the weather can get dry, this lip cream is a lifesaver for many! With its aloe extract and vitamin E, DHC softens the lips and gives them a polished, neutral shine. Nothing is greater than having your lips constantly moisturised during your trip.

Price: ¥432 (inclusive of tax)

6. DHC Double Moisture Mask

Here's another product from DHC - its Double Moisture Mask. Using 100% natural cotton and natural ingredients, this mask is perfect for those of you with dry skin.

DHC Double Moisture Mask

Credit: Natti Beautyshop on Facebook

The Hyaluronic acid present in the mask will seep through your skin and help to maintain moisture on the skin. Definitely an ideal companion for those dry winter days where your face seems tighter than normal.

Price: From ¥500 (inclusive of tax)

7. Heating Pads

Travelling can be challenging, especially when you’re experiencing period pains or backaches ☹️ That’s when a heating pad comes in handy! Just simply stick it over the affected area and it’ll greatly reduce the pain and increase blood flow.

Heating Pads

While it’s mostly used for sore parts of the body, these heating pads are also used as hand warmers in winter. And the best part is that it’s pocket-sized so you can bring it around conveniently and use it. The heat holds up till 6 hours (per pad)!

Price: ¥516 for the pink pack (inclusive of tax), ¥1317 for green-orange pack (inclusive of tax)

P.S. Heading to Japan? Our 7D6N Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka itinerary is just what you need!

8. SENKA’s Perfect Whip Face Wash

For when you don’t have a cleanser during your trip, Perfect Whip is THE answer for you. Famous for its mochi-mochi foam, this cleanser works like a cushion and gently cleanses your skin while still retaining its moisture. And while the product is available in Singapore and KL, it's still cheaper to buy it in Japan!

SENKA’s Perfect Whip Face Wash

What better time to try this out than in summer and winter? You only need a little squeeze for plenty of lather! Plus, it’s the best bang for your buck so you can buy lots of them if you’d like. ?

Price: ¥348 per bottle (inclusive of tax)

9. Mushiyoke (Mosquito Repellent)

If you’re from Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia, we all have at least two things in common - hot weather and rainy season! With the latter comes the most notorious season ever - mosquito season! So it’s definitely best to bring home some repellents and if you think the ones in Japan are normal, think again.

Mushiyoke (Mosquito Repellent)

You can find mushiyoke (mosquito repellent) pretty much in every form - like the wristband! A pretty useful thing to have with you especially when you’re travelling around a lot. The rubbery wristband supposedly helps keep the mosquitoes at bay for it contains essential oils as the active ingredients so you can be assured that it’ll smell pleasant!

Price: From ¥600 per pack (for wristband)

a) Mushiyoke Patch

Or you can opt for the mushiyoke patch! A little different than the wristband, the second mushiyoke you can find is in the form of small patches. Most of the packages are often tied to famous cartoons - like Winnie the Pooh or Hello Kitty!

Mushiyoke Patch

Where do you stick them? Simple, just put it anywhere on clothes, hats, strollers or bags. Imagine walking around the humid weather stress-free, and like the wristband, the patches also contain essential oils (which is good for you!)

Price: From ¥298 per packet

b) Mushiyoke Hanging Repellent

Last but not least, we have the hanging insect repellents! Works best in a room or any big space, this mushiyoke comes with a mesh/netting inside so you’ll want to be careful as it contains substances like pyrethroid.

Mushiyoke Hanging Repellent

This type of repellent is designated solely for outdoor.

Price: From ¥699

P.S. Heading to Kyoto? Don't miss out on these12 amazing Muslim-friendly eateries!

10. Pelican Hinoki Deitansaki Soap

Did you know that Binchotan, or activated charcoal is really good for your skin? And Pelican Hinoki Deitansaki is one of the bestsellers of charcoal-based soap. It's said that charcoal has been used by Japanese women since the Edo period as it's able to draw out toxins and impurities.

Pelican Hinoki Deitansaki Soap

Credit: Beauty Magic by AYA on Facebook

This is definitely the beauty product to get if you need to detoxify your dry skin or alleviate acne or redness. Besides charcoal, this soap also has the wonderful hinoki (cypress pine) scent which has calming effects. Another ingredient is bentonite clay, which helps smoothen and brighten your skin.

Price: From ¥700

11. Ashirira Foot Relax Patches

Ate too much greasy food lately? You’ll need these! This is THE remedy to reduce toxins in the body. The pads contain natural ingredients that stimulate acupuncture points on the body. Sounds pretty cool? And it really does the job!

Ashirira Foot Relax Patches

Many Japanese people swear by this remedy and foreigners are slowly trying it out too, so we thought, why not? All you need to do is apply the foot patch on the bottom of your feet before sleeping and take it off the next morning!

Price: ¥1922 per pack (inclusive of tax)

#HHWT Tip: If the patches change colours (from white to brown/black), don’t panic! Those are the toxins that have been extracted so if anything, you should feel relieved! ?

12. Cooling Ice Eye Mask

Yet another smart Japanese invention! When we saw this in the store, we were absolutely thrilled. You can now treat your puffy eyes to a cool bath. It’s easy to feel tired these days, that’s why this eye mask helps!

Cooling Ice Eye Mask

It’s said to relieve headaches, sinus pressure, and puffy eyes. Place it in the fridge for an hour before use and just relax and unwind for up to 10 minutes.

Price: From ¥400 per pack

Cooling Ice Eye Mask

*Bonus: There’s also a Steam Eye Mask that you can try too! Instead of having a cooling effect, this eye mask is produced from the comfortable heat of 40℃ that moistens and soothes tired eyes. Good for winter, if you ask us.

Price: ¥1058 per pack (inclusive of tax)

13. Bioré Sunscreen

You really can’t go wrong with a classic like this go-to, lightweight sunscreen that is suitable for face and body. When you’re in Japan during the summer, you can find it almost anywhere!

Bioré Sunscreen

This ultra-protective product is non-greasy and has water-like texture so for anyone who has oily skin, THIS is your holy grail! With moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid and citrus essence, you can be assured that your skin will feel hydrated throughout the day.

Price: From ¥528 per bottle

P.S. Feeling hungry while in Tokyo? Make sure you fill up withthese authentic Japanese restaurants!

14. Salonpass

You may have Salonpas in your hometown but wait till you hear this - did you know that there are variations of this famous patch? ? Yes, we all can agree that the green Salonpas is pretty common but there’s actually tons of different colours in Japan and each represents a different function.

Salonpas

Blue is the type that stretches (which is very convenient!), while pink is skin-friendly for those who have sensitive skin and orange works the same as pink but has an extra warming effect, so choose your fighter!

Price: From ¥478 per pack

15. Kao’s Curel Moisturiser

Have you ever had to deal with dry, flaky skin? Anyone who has sensitive skin knows that it’s hard to find the perfect moisturiser. We feel the same! But with Kao’s Curel, you won’t be disappointed especially when you’re out during summer or winter.

Kao’s Curel Moisturiser

This product contains ceramide which is the key ingredient that keeps your skin moist and healthy. While the price may be a bit expensive, we think it’s definitely worth a purchase!

Price: From ¥880 per bottle

16. Febreze Fabric Freshener

How many of us struggle with keeping our clothes smelling nice? We know that feeling, especially when you’ve been keeping your clothes in an enclosed space or the ventilation at an eatery is not the best so you end up smelling of food!

Febreze Fabric Freshener

These fabric fresheners are what you need! With these in hand, you don’t need to rush to the laundry. Just spray it on any fabric and you’ll have scented clothes in no time.

Price: From ¥398 per bottle

17. Rohto Lycée Eyedrops

The ultimate solution to dry or sore eyes when using contacts! This eye drop is wonderfully formulated using delicate ingredients that keep your eyes refreshed and rehydrated. Plus, it's much cheaper in Japan!

Rohto Lycée Eyedrops

It also improves the discomfort when you put on your contact lenses. Just apply 2-3 drops in each eye and you’ll feel the cooling effect right away!

Price: From ¥300 per pack

18. Softymo Nose Clean Pack

One of the most famous products in Japan, this nose clean pack has been known to work like magic! With just a small charcoal strip, you'd only have to put it on your nose for 15 minutes and it'll do the job of removing impurities, blackheads and whiteheads from your nose pores, leaving them soft and smooth.

Softymo Nose Clean Pack

Credit: Munchalee Songkram on Facebook

The best part about this is that it's value for money and easy to use, plus you can easily find it at many drugstores too.

Price: From around ¥500

19. Armpit Sweat Pads

We’re saving the best for last! Everyone sweats, and it gets pretty bad during the summer so you resort to deodorant but that doesn’t really give you all-day protection ☹️ There’s another solution though - armpit pads!

Armpit Sweat Pads

Price: From ¥475 per pack

After a long day, your sweat gives that stain on your shirt and you wouldn’t like that. Here’s where the armpit pads come into play. Extremely lightweight and have a strong absorption layer, these pads can give you an assurance that no more embarrassing underarm wetness to be seen! So, you can now safely say goodbye to smelly odour.

20. Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder

Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder

Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder, is a popular skincare product in Japan, this powder cleanser foams up upon contact with water and deeply cleanses the skin! The little capsules contains amino-acid cleansing ingredients and enzymes to remove pore-clogging impurities and dead skin cells for a smooth and soft complexion. Not to mention, the mini sizes are perfect for travelling and overnight trips for a hassle free skincare routine! Price: From ¥1643

21. Pore Cleaning Brush

Pore Cleaning Brush

Do you struggle with enlarged pores? If you live in a tropical climate, the heat might stress your skin quite a bit. That's why you should invest in a pore cleaning brush that can help remove impurities on your face. Japan's drugstores sell different versions of these brushes that are perfect to add to your evening routine.

Price: From ¥609

22. Olive Oil Soap

Olive Oil Soap

Credit: Beauty MAGIC by Aya on Facebook

Did you know that olive oil is good for your skin? When visiting Japan, you must get a few bars of these olive oil soaps! ? It helps to gently clean even the most sensitive skin including skin abrasions, rashes and even sunburns. Not to mention, olive oil soap is known to provide relief to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Price: From ¥203

23. Face Masks

Face Masks

If you're one of those who are still conscious about using a mask, you can find a variety of masks in Japan's drugstores! From coloured masks to plain white masks, you can definitely find one that suits your style.

Price: ¥438 - ¥1,738

Disney Face Masks

Credit: Amazon

BONUS: For Dinsey fans, you’ll be glad to know that you can find Disney-themed face masks in Japan! The best part is that there’s one for adults and kids, so you can have matching face masks together.

Price: ¥1,100

24. Biore Guard Hand Sanitizer Spray

Biore Guard Hand Sanitizer Spray

If you're looking for a spray hand sanitizer, you can find Biore Guard Hand Sanitizer Spray in drugstores in Japan! Unlike most sanitizers, this spray hand sanitizer dries quickly and is non-sticky. It's also in a convenient spray bottle which you can bring around. Additionally, it can help you reach between your fingers and under your fingernails!

25. Kracie Sumikko Gurashi Naive Foaming Hand Wash

Kracie Sumikko Gurashi Naive Foaming Hand Wash

Another item to look out for is this Kracie Sumikko Gurashi Naive Foaming Hand Wash! Made by Kracie, a beloved Japanese personal care brand, this hand wash is gentle on the skin and perfect to remove dirt between your fingertips and fingers. After using it, your hands will smell peachy due to the natural peach scent it uses!

Price: ¥548 for bottle, ¥328 for refillable packet

26. Kirei Kirei Automatic Dispenser Hand Soap

Kirei Kirei Automatic Dispenser Hand Soap

Up your bathroom game with Kirei Kirei Automatic Dispenser Hand Soap! This automatic hand soap dispenser will make your life so much easier, plus, there's even a refillable Kirei Kirei soap packet inside the box so you can test it out.

Price: ¥2,178

27. Kirei Kirei Disinfecting Wet Tissues

Kirei Kirei Disinfecting Wet Tissues

For those who like to keep an extra packet of wet tissues, look out for this Kirei Kirei Wet Tissue in Japan's drugstore! Not only does it clean your hands but it also helps to sanitise them at the same time.

28. Nurse Angie Thermometer

Nurse Angie Thermometer

For those with a baby at home, you'll need one of these! Nurse Angie Thermometer is the perfect tool to check your child's temperature without making contact. This thermometer is also suitable for use to check the cooking temperature and room temperature!

29. Richell Straw Mug

Richell Straw Mug

For mums searching for gifts for their little ones, this Richell Straw Mug could be your answer! This training straw mug is perfect for your little ones that are still learning how to drink on their own. The cutest thing is that the mug has a Miffy Rabbit design!

30. Banila Co. Clean it Zero

If you're looking for a smooth,easy to remove cleansing balm, then Clean it Zero is for you! Despite the product being from South Korea, you can find them selling for as low as ¥1600 compared to $22 online (when buying in Singapore!). The lightweight formula leaves your face feeling clean but not stripping! Definitely a must-buy for all skincare lovers. The pretty packaging is a plus too!

Price: ¥1600

Outside the Japanese drugstore

While we can’t guarantee that you’ll find these items when you’re there, we definitely think they're definitely worth hunting for. Plus, you can’t leave Japan without visiting its drug stores around so use this opportunity to go out and find these items! Like we did!