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Linc Original Makers Face Wash

Start your summer routine with a cleanser that’s both lightweight yet effective. In Tokyo’s humid heat, sweat, oil and pollution can build up on the skin — especially after a full day out. If left unchecked, this buildup can clog pores and lead to breakouts. 

For cleansing in the summer, Linc Original Maker’s Face Wash is a reliable pick. With its creamy texture, it removes grime without leaving the skin feeling tight or over-cleansed. Rich in minerals, it helps maintain moisture, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. For a deeper clean, leave it on for a few minutes as a mask — the natural clay goes deeper into the skin and absorbs excess sebum, impurities and dead skin cells lodged in the pores. 

You can find this face wash at Linc Original Makers’ flagship store in Ikejiri, or in Tokyo department stores such as Isetan Shinjuku.

Image via Shinsaku Kato

Dr.Ci:Labo VC100 Essence Lotion EX

Dr.Ci:Labo’s VC100 Essence Lotion Pore Refining Toner stands out for its cutting-edge Japanese formula designed to refine pores, brighten dullness, and improve skin texture and firmness. It contains vitamin C, a popular ingredient used in skincare known for brightening the complexion, fading hyperpigmentation and protecting the skin from environmental stressors like UV exposure. VC100 Essence Lotion EX’s formula is powered by 100 trillion micro-particles of high-penetration vitamin C per application, and features Dr.Ci:Labo’s advanced formulation that penetrates the skin more efficiently than conventional vitamin C. 

Despite its serum-like potency, VC100 Essence Lotion offers a lightweight consistency slightly thicker than water. With a zesty citrus scent, it absorbs effortlessly into the skin without any sticky residue, leaving skin feeling smooth and soft. Other ingredients include hyaluronic acid, collagen and niacinamide, which help deliver refreshed, plump and glowing skin.

You can find VC100 Essence Lotion EX in drugstores. 

IHADA Prisk Read D Essence

Summer heat often brings with it inflamed, irritated skin. In humid cities like Tokyo, the combination of sweat and damp air can create the perfect storm for flare-ups — particularly for those prone to eczema, dermatitis, or clogged pores like whiteheads. That’s where IHADA’s Prisk Read D Essence steps in. Developed by Shiseido, this hypoallergenic, non-steroid formula is designed to calm inflammation caused by eczema, dermatitis and general skin irritation. Lightweight and easy to apply, this non-fragranced essence absorbs like a moisturizer, leaving no residue behind. It’s gentle enough for daily use, yet effective enough to make a noticeable difference when your skin’s feeling stressed. 

You can find IHADA Prisk Read D Essence in drugstores. 

Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream

Curél has earned its reputation as a go-to Japanese brand for sensitive skin, with fragrance-free formulas that gently support even the most reactive skin types. At the heart of Curél’s skincare is ceramide technology — lipids that make up 30 to 40 percent of the skin’s outermost layer and are essential for maintaining a strong, healthy skin barrier.

Though the name Intensive Moisture Facial Cream might evoke a thick winter moisturiser, this formula is refreshingly summer-friendly. Its lightweight texture glides on effortlessly, absorbs quickly, and leaves no sticky residue. Use it as the final step in your nighttime routine and wake up to skin that feels soft, hydrated, and balanced — never heavy or greasy. 

You can find Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream in drugstores. 

SUQQU Protecting Day Cream

No skincare routine is complete without SPF. Think of it as a long-term investment in your future — protecting against UV-induced damage like premature aging, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancer. 

More than just a sunscreen, SUQQU’s Protecting Day Cream acts as a skincare-infused primer that delivers both high UV protection along with a radiant finish. With a lightweight, moisturizing texture and a subtle rose scent, Protecting Day Cream feels more like a skincare cream than traditional sunblock. It creates a smooth, glowing canvas base for your makeup, and is hydrating enough to leave skin dewy, not sweaty. The formula blends three types of UV scattering agents to shield the skin from both UV rays and environmental stressors like pollen and fine dust. It’s also infused with seven types of plant-derived moisturizing ingredients that will leave your skin smooth, radiant and protected.

You can find SUQQU Protecting Day Cream in the beauty sections of most Tokyo department stores and at Haneda Airport terminals.

DECORTÉ Loose Setting Powder

While this final pick doesn’t technically fall under skincare, no summer routine feels complete without a reliable setting powder — because looking greasy by midday is never the goal. The real challenge lies in finding a powder that controls shine without clinging to dry patches or leaving a chalky cast. Decorté’s award-winning Loose Setting Powder keeps shine in check without over-drying. 

Despite being a powder, Decorté’s formula won’t sap moisture from the skin, thanks to a blend of botanical extracts like jasmine, lemon and damask rose, combined with hydrating ingredients such as olive-derived squalane. Paired with a paraben-free formula, the powder blends seamlessly into the skin, delivering a silky-smooth texture and a soft-focus matte finish lasting up to 12 hours. And for those wary of shimmer — don’t be. With nine shades offering varying degrees of matte and glow, there’s a finish to suit every skin tone, texture and preference.

You can find Decorté’s Loose Setting Powder in the beauty sections of most Tokyo department stores.

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Updated On July 23, 2025