From as far back the 8th century, Japanese woman have used rice based powder cleansers to achieve the natural, beautiful clear skin that they known for around the world. The natural enzymes provided by the rice powder give the skin a boost of radiance, as it gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin, giving it a youthful glow. Today, ultra-fine rice bran powder remains the base ingredient for most Japanese powder cleansers, but many companies now add additional skin loving ingredients to the mix to give your skin maximum benefit.
Ready to give cleansing powder a try but not sure where to start?
Here is Tokyo Beauty Book’s guide to using a Japanese facial cleansing powder!
What are cleansing powders?
An ultra-fine powder cleanser that transforms with water, creating a milky or sometimes quite foamy, gentle facial cleanser.
Why use a cleansing powder?
They are great gentle cleansers and exfoliants, perfect for all skin types and perfect if your skin is sensitive and prone to Rosacea, as they are gentle and moisturising. Many of the formulas contain ultra-fine particles of minerals, enzymes and gentle exfoliating agents which make them the perfect alternative to harsh scrubs if your skin is prone to redness and sensitivity.
Japanese facial cleansing powders are also super convenient for travelling or in your gym kit, as they often come in single use pods or sachets. Simply throw a few in your cosmetic bag, and you don’t have to worry about messy leaks and spills.
How do you use a cleansing powder?
- Remove all traces of makeup. Cleansing powder should be used in the morning or as the second step of a double cleanse skincare routine (read more here about double cleansing) .
- Dampen face with warm water.
- Empty the sachet/ pot/ powder into the palm of your hand.
- Use your free hand to slowly drip water into the powder and mix together with your fingertips to create the consistency that you desire, depending on your skin type and the desired benefits. A thicker paste will be stronger and more exfoliating, and a more foamy paste will give a deeper cleanse and be more gentle on the skin. Sensitive skin types should test their skin tolerance gradually to avoid irritation.
- Gently place the foam/ paste all over the face and gently massage in a circular motion.
- Rinse the face clean with warm water.
- Pat dry with a clean towel and apply lotion/ cream etc.
3 Great Japanese Cleansing Powders
Suisai Beauty Clear Powder ¥1,000
(Read more about Suisai Beauty Clear Powder here)
Available to buy on Amazon
FANCL Facial Cleansing Powder II ¥1, 296 (50g)
Kose Hadakiwami Powder Wash ¥1,285 (32 sachets)
Where can you buy these products in Tokyo?
Suisai Beauty Clear Powder- Japanese drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi or Tomod’s, Ainz & Tulpe, Plaza, Don Quixote, Loft and Tokyo Hands.
FANCL- FANCL Store in Ginza, Takashimaya Shinjuku, Daimaru, Atre, Lumine and Tokyu Department store.
Hadakiwami- Japanese drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi or Tomod’s, Ainz & Tulpe, Plaza, Don Quixote, Loft and Tokyo Hands.
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