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If you have skin that is prone to acne, it can be difficult to find skincare products that don’t cause further irritation or flare-ups. Luckily, there are plenty of specially formulated Japanese skincare products that you can buy online to help treat problem areas. Here are our recommendations for 15 of the best Japanese skincare products for acne-prone skin.
How we decided
Cleansing Oils For Acne-Prone Skin
1. Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant & Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil
Gently removes makeup, impurities, and pollutants in one step while brightening dull skin. Infused with antioxidant-rich Uji matcha extract, it protects against environmental stress and promotes a clear, radiant complexion. This eco-conscious cleansing oil is biodegradable, lash-extension safe, and comes in 100% recyclable PCR plastic, perfect for effortless, sustainable cleansing and naturally glowing skin.
Pros
- Effectively removes makeup and pollutants
- Brighten dull skin
- Eco-friendly formula
Cons
- Expensive compared to other cleansing oils
- Scent may be strong for sensitive users
2. FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil
Another great cleansing oil option for those with acne-prone skin is this Mild Cleansing Oil from FANCL. It is an effective option for not only removing makeup thoroughly but also because it is quite gentle on the skin. It will glide across your skin to remove all makeup without clogging your pores (a major cause of acne) or stripping your skin of its natural oils.
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Facial Cleansers for Acne Prone Skin
3. Shiseido Senka Medicated Perfect Whip Cleanser for Acne
Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip for Acne is a Japanese facial cleanser that forms a super-rich foam with fine bubbles to give you a perfect cleansing experience without drying out your skin.
This great value medicated foaming cleanser contains active ingredients that specialize in alleviating acne and preventing rough skin. The dense micro foam gently removes the dirt and dullness from your skin leading to a brighter skin tone and complexion.
Perfect Whip’s soft and fluffy foam formula is made from natural silk essence and two types of hyaluronic acids. In addition, the foam has a refreshing, herbal floral scent and lightweight texture, making it gentle on the skin and perfect for everyday use.
Pros
- Creates rich, dense foam that cleanses gently
- Contains acne-fighting, hydrating ingredients
- Silky texture with a pleasant herbal floral scent
Cons
- May not fully remove heavy makeup
- Can feel slightly tight on very dry skin
4. Ettusais Pore Care Wash
Ettusais Pore Care Wash helps to prevent acne by utilizing deep cleansing ingredients to remove unsaturated fatty acids and unnecessary sebum which causes enlarged pores and skin roughness.
This milky cleanser has a mild moisturizing effect and makes a gentle fluffy foam when lathered up that leaves skin feeling refreshed. Consumers love this product because it unclogs and cleanses pores without irritating skin, helping to improve your complexion with regular usage.
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5. Ishizawa Lab Acne Barrier Medicated Protect Face Wash
This facial cleanser by Ishizawa Lab is designed to remove dirt and bacteria that causes acne, whilst protecting the skin’s natural moisture. It is free from ingredients that can cause skin irritability such as coloring, perfume, alcohol, and is packed full of natural plant extracts and essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
Research suggests that tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can be helpful for treating mild to moderate acne breakouts. This medicated face wash also helps to reduce redness and inflammation and is hypoallergenic and allergy tested.
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6. Ishizawa Lab Keana Nadeshiko Baking Soda Scrub Face Wash
If you prefer more of a scrub than a foaming cleanser, then Ishizawa Lab Keana Nadeshiko Baking Soda Scrub Face Wash is formulated using baking soda to work deeply into pores and remove any impurities.
When the baking soda comes into contact with water it becomes a soft, mild scrub. It is gentle on the skin and easily removes dead skin cells, and cleanses clogged keratin and sebum without damaging skin.
This scrub’s amino acid-based ingredients effectively remove excessive dirt from pores leave skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
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Lotions For Acne Prone Skin
7. Dr.Ci:Labo VC100 Essence Lotion Pore Refining Toner 150ml
Targets pores, dullness, and dryness for smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin. Its lightweight, serum-like texture absorbs quickly without stickiness, leaving skin refreshed and hydrated. Infused with vitamin C and orange essential oil, it brightens and revitalizes your complexion.
Free from alcohol, parabens, and mineral oil, this Japanese toner delivers effective, gentle care for daily use.
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8. Ishizawa Lab Acne Barrier Medicated Protect Lotion
This lotion has been designed to help combat adult acne which can be a sensitive and complex issue to solve. When skin suffers from a lack of moisture, keratin blocks the pores, making it easier for acne bacteria to grow. This lotion prevents adult acne and dryness whiles suppressing excess sebum. It replenishes moisture to soften dead skin cells and prevent pore clogging and inflammation, maintains skin balance, and leaves skin feeling smooth and resistant to acne.
Ishizawa Lab Acne Barrier Medicated Protect Lotion has a pleasant herbal scent and is formulated with 14 kinds of herbs and plants including tea tree oil, chamomile, sage, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
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Face Masks for Acne Prone Skin
9. Kracie Hadabisei Moisturising Facial Mask Acne Care
This high-quality facial sheet mask can be left on skin up to 15 minutes and has been formulated to combat acne by including ingredients such as Vitamin C derivant, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, and green tea extract.
Green tea extract contains antioxidants that can help to improve the lesions, redness, and irritated skin that acne causes. Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is an ingredient derived from licorice root that contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to sooth and treat acne flare ups.
The mask is made from natural cotton and comes in a larger than average size so that it easily covers the entire face including your chin.
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10. Lululun Acne Care Face Mask For Radiant And Clear Skin 4 Sheets
Nourishes and refines acne-prone skin with natural extracts like mulberry bark, rose fruit, peony, and kiwi. The ultra-soft, natural sheet material adheres comfortably to delicate skin, minimizing irritation while boosting hydration and clarity. Each mask delivers a soothing, radiant finish, perfect for maintaining smooth, clear skin. It's also ideal for daily or weekly pampering.
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Treatments and Serums for Acne and Pores
11. Kobayashi Atnon Acne Treatment Gel
This treatment gel has a smooth and moist texture that quickly penetrates the skin. It treats acne by suppressing the production of melanin and can be applied after washing your face. This Japanese remedy for acne is also effective for reddish skin, heat rash, chilblain, and chapped skin.
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12. Rohto Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence
Rohto Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence is a Japanese serum ideal for individuals with problem skin because it helps to reduce redness and irritation whilst killing the bacteria that causes the formation of acne. Ingredients include vitamin C and vitamin E as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients to prevent and treat blemishes and acne.
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13. Kao Bioré Charcoal Nose Strips Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
These deep cleansing pore strips effectively remove impurities, blackheads, and any other dirt from pores. They are made with bamboo charcoal extract, which is a sebum-absorbing ingredient, and contain menthol to cool down and refresh the skin.
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14. Elizabeth Poretol Super Clear Gel
Elizabeth Poretol Super Clear Gel is a hot cleansing gel that cleanses and loosens nose blackheads. It works by warming the skin with bamboo charcoal and then loosening the pores with yogurt extract. Next, it removes any dirt with 3 kinds of sebum absorption components, and finally tightens the pores with Hamamelis extract.
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Sun Care Products for Acne Prone Skin
15. Curel UV Protection Essence Ceramide Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin 50
If you’re looking for a sun care product that won’t irritate your skin, try Kao Curel UV Protection Essence. This sunscreen has a light texture that is so gentle it can even be used on babies. It is allergy and sensitive skin tested and is free from irritants such as fragrance, coloring, and alcohol.
It has a protection factor of SPF30 PA++ and contains plant derived ingredients like eucalyptus and thujopsis extract – which are absorbed into the stratum corneum to replenish ceramide and strengthen skin against external irritations.
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