Rozy asks…I read this on the web and some people here buy Japanese cosmetics off the interwebs because they say Japanese people have better technology at their disposal. Is it true Japanese cosmetics are of higher quality than North American ones?
Mid Brain responds:
There’s an interesting discussion thread in our Forum in response to Rozy’s question. Here are a few highlights:
- Right Brain pointed out that such blanket generalizations are rarely true: it’s more likely that in some casesJapanese products are superior while in other cases Western products are.
- Alchemist chimed in by noting that Japanese cosmetic companies do a really good job on packaging. Bebelyn agreed and said it makes the products feel “custom made.”
- Mendes did an interesting analysis of beauty company R&D of top companies based on an analysis of papers in PubMed. I’m not sure how valid this is, but it’s a very interesting approach. Looking at patents might also add to this view.
- Mendes also points out that western cleansers tend to be “boring” mixtures of SLS/SLES and Betaine (true!) while Japanese products use more exotic surfactants (amino acid based, for example.)
- This led to an exchange on the merits of waterproof sunscreens.
Check out this link to the Forum to read the entire discussion.
Image credit: http://www.elfwood.com/art/
What do YOU think? Are Japanese cosmetics (in general) superior to Western products? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been using Japanese cosmetics for a while now, what I like about it is that one can have access to innovative technology at a very low price. In the west there are inexpensive cosmetics that are not bad at all, but in japan even the cheapest ones are mostly great quality. So being on a tight budget it’s cheaper for me to buy cosmetics from Japan than here in Europe.
Another thing I really appreciate it’s the textures, most eastern products have a much better texture than what is sold here (unless you pay the price for high end brands). The best example is sunscreen, no western sunscreen can compete with Japanese ones texture wise.
After years of experimenting with western cosmetics my skin has never been better than now that I use mostly Japanese ones, I almost don’t have acne anymore and I know Japanese sunscreen and double cleansing played a big part on that.
If japanese products are better -or any asian product- I really dont know cause I cant find their ingredients lists (if you know where I can find it please let me know). I dont buy a product if I dont know its ingredients no matter the promises or how good it looks.
@ AleV
These Brazilian bloggers almost always have the ingredients lists on their reviews:
http://easttowestskincare.com/
http://vanitypills.net/
http://saladamedica.wordpress.com/
Thanks a lot Ana! Ill check them right now.
Hi everyone. I’ve a question about natural skin care products. Don’t know if this is the right place to ask it, but here it is.
Did you heard about a natural skin care brand named Be&Be (Be Beauty & Be Healthy)?
I’ve seen an advert with a promotional gift pack (page http://goo.gl/VCQui, and would like your opinion about their products.
Is there someone who has tried them? What do you think?
I feel like some of the Japanese products are really amazing even in lower priced range and great variety of beauty products to choose from. Cute packaging is another key factor to capture girls hearts!! However, as for high end beauty products, I would still choose from the western brands!!
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