Your Guide To The J-Beauty Trend

May 21, 2019 Meenakshi Chauhan

If you are one of those who keeps a tab on the trending skincare routines and products you must have heard these two terms K-Beauty and J-beauty a number of times by now. Past few years have been all about the K or Korean beauty regimens. Starting from 2017 the Asians took over the skincare world with slimy wet sheet masks becoming the need of the hour. Honestly, even I love them!!

These Asian skincare trends are not going to disappear like most other trends, they are here to stay!! K-beauty with its Sheet masks, essences, serums, and the 10-step skin regime was the talk of the town and had its focus on exotic ingredients. But 2018 brought with a new counterpart the J-Beauty and it has been slowly making it’s way to the mainstream stores both online and offline.

While K-beauty is all about exotic ingredients, cute packaging, instagrammable images, and zillions of masks, the J-beauty has deeper roots into the tradition and heritage of Japanese skincare.

What Is J-Beauty?

The Japanese beauty philosophy is different from most other modern philosophies in the sense that it focuses on prevention before care. Sounds similar? Yes, this is the healthcare philosophy you must have heard tons of times “Prevention is better than cure.”

"The Japanese beauty philosophy is very close to healthcare philosophy. Western culture is more concerned about correcting damages after they have occurred, whereas Japanese beauty care is more about anticipation," Shiseido's brand manager, Miyabi Kumagai, told Glamour.

The modern skincare routines focus on correcting the skin damage that has already occurred but J-Beauty focuses on preventing any damage beforehand. J-Beauty focuses on minimalistic skin care routine. While K-Beauty has a complex 10-step procedure which might take you hours to complete, J-beauty keeps things short and sweet.

If you are one of those who does not have the time to spare hours on skincare or you like to stick to just a few basic essential skincare products, J-beauty could be your ideal match.

“There is a simplicity to Japanese rituals that is midway between European methods of skin and body care application and Korean, for example. The Japanese use fewer products in a more methodical manner, they use massage and technique to get the best out of their skincare routine." BeautyMart co-founder Millie Kendall told British Vogue.

J-Beauty requires fewer products used in a more methodical manner. Massage and technique also play a huge role in getting the best from the skincare regime.

Also Read: How To Take Care Of Your Skin Pre, During, and Post Workout

The J-Beauty Regime

Unlike Western skincare routine that focuses on spot-treatment like blemish treatments, Japanese beauty takes a more holistic approach. J-Beauty is more like your grandma’s remedies it is old but evergreen and 200% effective. It focuses on the overall look and feel of the complexion. There are no shortcuts to a beautiful skin and that’s what this beauty trend is all about.

If you are more of a K-Beauty pro, let me tell you that even though K-beauty is much more complex than J-beauty it has been inspired by the age-old Japanese skincare routine. So J-Beauty is not the new K-beauty, in fact, it is the other way round. The double-cleansing technique which is such a rage now has been deep-rooted in Japan’s skincare culture.

Japanese beauty favours lighter textures such as milk, gels, and emulsions, so as not to weigh down the skin after layering. They prefer more matte and soft skin.

A typical Japanese skincare routine involves:

STEP 1: DOUBLE CLEANSE

Double cleansing is a pretty big deal among Japanese women. You cleanse your face twice, using two different cleansers. The first one is typically an oil-based cleanser and as a fact oils play an important role in most Japanese skincare products. They function both as cleansers and moisturisers. This cleanser will remove all the makeup you have applied. The second one is always some sort of rinse-off cleanser, it is used to ensure that every last bit of dirt, excess oil, makeup, and impurities are removed from your skin.

STEP 2: MOISTURISE

When it comes to moisturiser, as I already mentioned J-beauty is all about using lightweight and non-greasy formula. Use water or gel-based moisturisers which can be easily absorbed by the skin and give continuous hydration and a healthy glow. Plus even if you layer this moisturise it won’t make your skin feel heavy. Preferably use a lotion formula and do not rub, just pat it into the skin. Try a formula which gets its hydrating properties from aloe, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, green tea, tea tree oil or water.

STEP 3: PROTECT

Both J-beauty and K-beauty take sun protection very seriously. However, Japan is more known for its advanced sunscreen formulations. Make sure that you wear sunscreen, with an SPF value of 15 or higher every single day if you do not normally stay out in the sun. However, if you spend more than a few minutes in the sun use SPF 30 or higher. To further minimise steps use a moisturiser with sunscreen.

Also Read: Top 20 Ways To Whiten Dark Underarms Naturally

Start Your Own J-Beauty Routine

These Japanese products are ideal to start your J-beauty routine:

1. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

This cleanser has a water soluble formula and works great on even water-proof makeup. It is also infused with vitamin and minerals which will make your skin fresh and hydrated. 92% of participants in a certain study agreed that the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil worked better than any leading cleanser at removing makeup. Apparently, one bottle is sold every 10 seconds worldwide. The great result come with great price, this product is pretty expensive but worth every penny.

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