Published on March 27, 2025
Sephora, Macy’s, Shiko Beauty
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Much like Korean grooming products, Japan’s self-care exports lead the charge in innovation, as well as affordability.
But Japan also does luxury at world-class levels, from hospitality to dining to beauty and grooming. Within grooming itself, that range covers skincare and fragrance to razors and hi-tech devices. Have a look at the best Japanese luxury grooming brands below, along with the best products from each label that I recommend you try.
Shiseido
Image Credit: Sephora
In Japan, most skincare roads run through Shiseido. While we all recognize Shiseido as a brand, it’s also the name of the parent company of numerous Japanese labels (and home to many international brands, too, like Dr. Dennis Gross, Drunk Elephant, NARS, Narciso Rodriguez, and Serge Lutens).
And much like Korea’s AmorePacfic parent company, Shiseido pumps the best ingredients into its eponymous label. Look no further than their Ultimune Power Infusing Serum, chock full of skin-firming peptides, plus antioxidant-rich extracts like reishi mushroom and heartleaf. It even boosts moisture retention with roselle extract—so basically, it does everything shy of a facelift. And I’d be remiss not to recommend Shiseido’s ubiquitous SPF50 stick, which goes on clear and is sweat- and water-resistant for 80 minutes (the perfect active-wear sunscreen).
Buy Now on Sephora (Serum): $110
Buy Now on Sephora (Sunscreen): $32
Feather
Image Credit: Fendrihan
Perhaps you never realized that razor- and blade-maker Feather was Japanese, which should come as no surprise since so many global shave brands source their steel from the country. Also, have you seen some of the artistry behind top-tier Feather razors, like this straight razor? (It’s literally called The Artist Club DX Straight Razor, too.) We’d all be so lucky to own the Feather safety razor as our go-to shaver, too…
Buy Now on Fendrihan (Straight Razor): $238
Buy Now on Fendrihan (Safety Razor): $185
Ya-Man
Image Credit: Ya-Man
Have you checked on Ya-Man recently? One day they’re rolling out a heated electric shaver, and the next is skin-lifting face wands, scalp-massaging blow dryers, and future-grade face masks. This is also one of my favorite stores to visit in Tokyo, if you find yourself walking through Ginza and feel like testing out a ton of hi-tech grooming toys.
Buy Now on Ya-Man (Blow Dryer): $299
Buy Now on Ya-Man (Photo Plus): $1,300
Amayori
Image Credit: Amayori
So, Amayori is part bathing and bodycare brand, part US-based retailer (which then sells some true top-tier, authentic Japanese bathing products). It’s the easiest way to turn your bathroom into a DIY luxury onsen, from the bath salts and body oils to the hinoki embellishments and Yukata robes.
Buy Now on Amayori (Bath Salts): $60
Buy Now on Amayori (Bath Tray): $140
SK-II
Image Credit: Sephora
As someone who receives and tests every product out there, I can tell you that my SK-II products are among the most coveted (by friends/houseguests, I mean). The brand’s assortment centers around Pitera, a yeast better known as galactomyces ferment filtrate. Pitera accelerates cellular turnover and is surely working, given its legion of global followers. I’m a sucker for this radiance-boosting serum both day and night, while the Advanced Cream is an overnight miracle worker on tired or dull skin.
Buy Now on Sephora (Serum): $205
Buy Now on Sephora (Cream): $255
Shu Uemura
Image Credit: Amazon
While Shu Uemura offers outstanding products for skin, I think of them first when it comes to Japanese hair care—particularly hair masks for all different types. Of particular appeal to men is this hair-thickening mask that harness Japanese rice water to firm and smooth strands, while punching up the shine levels, too.
Buy Now on Amazon: $70
Nemohamo
Image Credit: Shiko Beauty
I first discovered the super-sustainable and plant-powered Nemohamo through Japanese skincare retailer Shiko (a great resource with oft-accessible brands). And then on my recent trip to Japan, I saw Nemohamo at every luxury turn; I hope their omnipresence trickles west soon, too. I love love love their booster oil, but suggest pairing it with their ginseng lotion in this duo pack. (The latter is easy to refill, too!)
Buy Now on Shiko Beauty: $150
Shikohin
Image Credit: Shikohin
One of my favorite “new to me” brands of last year, I could quit my beloved product-testing job if it meant just using Shikohin daily. That would likely mean daily baths and massages, too: The assortment is mushroom-powered (with numerous botanical extracts, too), and they offer bath essentials, massage creams, facial serums and lotions, and more. My favorite is the oft-sold-out muscle-cooling CBD roller, but I’d be remiss not to recommend the cushioning 5-Mushroom Moisturizer to you, too.
Buy Now on Shikohin: $68
Dr. Medion
Image Credit: Shiko Beauty
Centered on “carboxytherapy,” Dr. Medion’s products harness CO2 to boost circulation in the skin and thus rejuvenate. Their products aren’t advised for super-sensitive skin, since baking soda is in the formula. But so are a bevy of powerful ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, collagen-boosting royal jelly, antioxidant-rich gromwell extract, and a supremely toning extract called coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed… say that five times fast, eh?
Buy Now on Shiko Beauty: $68
Issey Miyake
Image Credit: Macy’s
The late, great Issey Miyake built one of the world’s most beloved design and fragrance brands. For many labels, it would be hard to followup something like L’Eau d’Issey—both the men’s and women’s editions of the masterpiece. And yet each flanker of the classic is deserving of fanfare, like 2024’s L’eau d’Issey Pour Homme Solar Lavender. The final fragrance Miyake worked on (before his passing last year) is an instant favorite of mine, too: Le Sel d’Issey.
Buy Now on Macy’s (L’eau): $113
Buy Now on Macy’s (Le Sel): $130
Authors
Adam Hurly
Adam is a South Dakota native living in Lisbon (and previously San Francisco, New York, and Berlin). Adam writes about grooming and travel for numerous publications, and in 2024 launched Blue Print…
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