Niacinamide has long been a K-beauty staple, but this Anua formula takes it to the next level. Combining 10% niacinamide with tranexamic acid and arbutin, it’s designed to tackle everything from pigmentation to texture and enlarged pores. The result? Skin that looks smoother, brighter and more refined over time.

“I was initially sceptical about trying out this viral K-beauty serum, but it genuinely surprised me in the best way possible and quickly became my favourite niacinamide formula to date,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Contributor. “It’s helped fade my acne-related dark spots with ease and left my complexion noticeably more even.”

Best Emulsion: Shiseido D Program Moist Care Emulsion

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Shiseido D Program Moist Care Emulsion

Fast facts: Lightweight emulsion; gentle on all skin types; hydrating and plumping effect; recommended for makeup prep.

This skin-conditioning emulsion (from a classic J-beauty category typically applied after serums) is an on-set favourite for photo shoots. “Emulsion is an essential step in Japanese skin care,” says Ishida. “This one is gentle enough for sensitive skin and has a creamy texture that’s easily absorbed. With continued use, my skin becomes supple. I always carry it with me when I travel, and models visiting Japan will ask me, ‘What is this? Where is it from?’ as soon as they try it.”

To use your emulsion effectively, apply it after your toner and serum, but before your moisturiser. If you have oily skin, you can also use this in place of your moisturiser. The formula is infused with hydrating, brightening ingredients like vitamin E, tranexamic acid, and sodium hyaluronate. Yet just as Ishida says, it’s lightweight and ideal for makeup prep.

Best Moisturiser for Oily Skin: Tatcha The Water Cream

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Tatcha The Water Cream

Fast facts: Oil-free gel cream; recommended for oily and combination skin; refreshing feel; helps balance excess sebum without dryness.

Japan’s hot, humid summers have influenced J-beauty brands to formulate moisturisers that provide just enough hydration while remaining light and refreshing. This oil-free gel cream feels amazing during the warmer months, or year-round if your skin falls into the oily and combination categories. It’s formulated with antioxidant-rich and barrier-friendly plant extracts like Japanese wild rose, green tea, rice, and algae. I’ve used this formula for years and love how it feels like a splash of cooling water on application. It absorbs quickly and layers well under makeup, so I especially love it for my morning skin care routine. It also helps keep my T-zone from getting too greasy while still leaving my mid-face sufficiently hydrated.

Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin: Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream

Fast facts: Intensely hydrating moisturiser; on the richer side but still fast-absorbing; barrier-friendly; recommended for dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin.

If your skin is feeling dehydrated, this is one of the richest Japanese moisturisers I own. While it’s intensely hydrating, it still doesn’t feel overly heavy or greasy. A small scoop goes a long way in softening dry patches in a single application. It’s packed with hydrating, soothing, and barrier-supporting ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin, squalane, and allantoin.

“It’s ideal for those with stressed skin,” says Ishida. “I use it as the final step before bed for calm, healthy skin the next morning. It leaves my skin feeling soft without a greasy residue, so I also use it before applying base makeup.” Getz also says this is the ideal moisturiser “for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin” and loves how the ingredients help keep your skin barrier healthy. “It absorbs smoothly, replenishes moisture, and leaves my skin soft and supple,” she says.

Best Sunscreen: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Weightless Moisturiser Sunscreen

Fast facts: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen; lightweight and hydrating texture; no white cast; layers well under makeup.

The Bioré UV Aqua Rich range is Japan’s top seller for sunscreen. While the formula available stateside uses different FDA-approved filters, it’s still one of the best Glamour editors have tried. The fast-absorbing, spreadable formula is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and layers beautifully under makeup. It’s also noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) and oil-free, so all skin types can wear it. Broad-spectrum SPF 50 filters give you plenty of sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

“I’ve been using this J-beauty sunscreen for years and regularly run out of it (as you can see from my almost empty bottle in the video). The lightweight moisturiser with SPF 50 protection leaves a gorgeous glow and no white cast on my combination, oily skin. I like to use this particularly on my face, neck, and arms when I go running because it doesn’t feel heavy like other SPF body lotions,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.

Best Lip Balm: Canmake Mellow Dew Lip Mask

Fast facts: Treatment for dry lips; thick texture that melts on contact; easy-to-use applicator; helps lips look instantly smoother and softer; lasting moisture.