Japan

In Japan, a naturally glowing, smooth complexion has been the longstanding foundation for beauty. The Japanese refer to nice skin as mochi-hada, or rice-cake skin, a reference to the ultra soft and plump Japanese desserts. The concept of softness in general is a reoccurring theme in Japanese skincare. The Japanese have a nourishing philosophy when it comes to skin, emphasising sun protection, thorough but gentle cleansing, and multiple hydrating and moisturising layers. The basic Japanese skincare routine boils down to removing makeup, cleansing, hydrating with a “lotion”, treating with a serum, and sealing everything in with a moisturiser, plus masking on the regular.