It’s no secret Japanese drugstores are a magical wonderland, brimming with every kind of beauty product imaginable. In Tokyo, major drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi are almost as ubiquitous as vending machines. There are mascaras and cleansers and face creams and face masks and beauty products that you didn’t even know existed. It’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll walk out with something.

Japanese drugstores can also be sheer sensory overload and for the uninitiated, an overwhelming place to navigate, especially when you’re trying to decipher labels on beauty products. That’s where this cheat sheet of essential drugstore buys comes in handy. If a trip to Tokyo or another Japanese city is on the horizon, these are the skincare products that you should add to your cart.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++

This sunscreen’s dreamy essence-like texture makes daily SPF application a pleasurable experience—words seldom associated with sunscreens. Few drugstore sunscreens in North America compare although Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost comes pretty close. The water-based sunscreen—which contains moisture-rich capsules filled with hyaluronic acid and royal jelly—applies evenly, doesn’t pill and even doubles as a primer (Bon Appetit’s Andy Baraghani is also a fan!).

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

The gentle, water-based exfoliant first launched in 2013 and has been flying off shelves ever since. The main draw isn’t just its exfoliating prowess, it’s also what happens when you apply it. As you massage it in, it starts to forms tiny balls on the surface of your skin. There’s been much debate about whether that’s dead skin and you’re seeing the exfoliating action in real time or polymers. While cosmetic chemists have pointed out that the product doesn’t actually have any exfoliating ingredients (it’s infused with plant extracts like aloe vera, rosemary and ginko), fans are adamant about its skin-smoothing and brightening abilities.

Senka Perfect Whip Cleanser

With its instantly recognizable powdery blue tube, Perfect Whip has been a bestseller in Japan for quite some time. True to its name, the foam cleanser works up into a rich and creamy lather, and a little goes a long way. It’s packed with amino acids and an extract from silkworms known for its moisturizing effect.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

Dewy skin chasers: meet Hada Labo. The Japanese skincare brand is all about hyaluronic acid with three types of skin-plumping, moisture-boosting HA. Its most popular product is this lotion under the OG moisturizing line (there’s also a brightening and an anti-aging line). While it’s called a lotion, the texture is more similar to a toner, helping prep the skin for your other products.

LuLuLun Cleansing Balm

This solid cleansing balm comes from the same Japanese skincare brand that creates those face masks in cute pastel-coloured packaging (which make great souvenirs, FYI). Rich in peptides and botanical extracts, the balm transforms from a balm to an oil and even tackles waterproof makeup. The cleanser also took the number one spot in the ‘Best Cleansing Category’ of the 2019 Cosme Best Cosmetics Awards.

Kao Megurism Steam Warm Eye Mask

These steam eye masks are what your in-the-know friends will recommend. They’re cooler than your average mask because they instantly heat up when you remove them from the package (think spa on the go). They’re perfect for keeping in your carry-on so you can wear them on your long flight back home. You can buy an unscented version or go the scented route with lavender, chamomile, rose or yuzu.