The 13 Best Japanese Foundations For A Flawless And Natural Look

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the differences between Japanese and Western foundations and recommend some of our favorite products that you can try!

Japanese foundations can come in a variety of forms, from liquids, to creams, and powders, and tend to prioritize a lightweight and natural finish. It’s also important to mention that Japanese foundations tend to have a more limited range of shades compared to Western foundations, as historically they have typically focused more on lighter skin tones. 

One aspect that sets Japanese foundation apart from its Western counterparts is an emphasis on including powerful sun protection within their formulas. This reflects a cultural importance of protecting the skin from sun damage.

Read on to discover some of our favorite Japanese foundations, from specialist products designed for oily skin to foundation that you can leave on at night whilst you sleep! 

Best Foundation For Concealing Blemishes

Shiseido Spots Cover Foundation Base Color 20g

This foundation by Shiseido provides high coverage and is designed to cover flaws not easily concealed by normal makeup such as blemishes, scars, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. 

The Shiseido Spots Cover Foundation is available in a variety of different shades including color correction choices, which can be used to conceal any redness. One of the advantages of this cream-type foundation is that a little product goes a long way, making it last longer so you don’t need to repurchase so often.

Our customers have rated this foundation as a 5-star product thanks to its great coverage, easy application, and long-lasting effect.

Best Foundation With Built-In Sun Protection

Shiseido Anessa All-in-One Beauty Pact UV Powder Foundation SPF50+ PA+++ 10g

This Japanese UV powder foundation by Shiseido Anessa is a great time-saving makeup product performing three functions in one product including powerful sunscreen, (SPF50+/PA+++), makeup base, and foundation.

It features Shiseido’s unique Aqua Booster Beauty Technology which sees the product’s UV protection become stronger when exposed to sebum and sweat. As a result, the protective effect lasts longer and maintains its best condition. It can also withstand up to 80 minutes of submersion in water.

Additionally, this powder foundation contains a special coating that gives your skin a clear and glossy appearance and has a hydrating effect thanks to its special blend of beauty essences.

Best Finishing Powder Foundation

Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder Foundation SPF26 PA++ 

The Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder Foundation combines the smoothness of silk and the softness of a marshmallow to create a foundation which is kind to the skin and can be easily removed with regular facial wash.

This product is available in three different shades and is designed to be used as a finishing powder applied on top of a liquid or cream foundation. This powder also contains UV protection of UV Protection: SPF26/PA++, and refills are available to purchase here.

Best Lightweight Liquid Foundation

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation Liquid Foundation 30ml SPF25 PA++

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation is a popular Japanese liquid-type foundation which makes your bare skin appear brighter without applying heavy makeup.

The foundation’s ultralight texture enables smooth application and conceals color unevenness and pores. The foundation contains a unique material that allows for better application, is long-lasting, and repels water.

This product also contains French sea salt water and natural ingredients such as Jojoba seed oil which prevent your skin from dryness and UV damage. It is free from fragrance, and colorants, and is available in six different shades.

Best Moisturizing Liquid Foundation

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation 20g

Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation gives your complexion a clearer and smoother appearance whilst hydrating your skin at the same time. Its formula is rich in beauty essences of which around 80% are skin hydration agents.

This foundation features a light, creamy texture that spreads smoothly, covers pores, and removes redness immediately. It’s available in ten different shades, from pink ocher to cover dullness to beige for reducing redness.

Like other Koh Gen Do products, this foundation also contains an original material that enables better makeup application, long-lasting effects, and resistance to water and sebum.

Best Primer Foundation

Sofina Primavista Long Lasting Makeup Primer SPF20 25ml

This lightweight foundation and primer is designed for long-lasting wear, and a comfortable, natural feel and look. Featuring UV protection of SPF20 PA++, it withstands sweating, even in hot and humid conditions, to stop makeup from smudging or rubbing off. 

It has a non-sticky feel and is enriched with moisturizing essences such as hyaluronic acid and chamomile. This product is designed to last all day without deterioration, providing a clean finish that hides signs of fatigue well into the evening.

Best Foundation For Color Correction

Shiseido Spots Cover Foundation Control Correction 18g

This cream-type foundation has been designed to address color correction concerns, effectively concealing any redness to even out skin tone and provide a flawless complexion.

This foundation is available in two shades – mild white for small areas of redness for a brighter complexion, and beige-like yellow for more prominent redness and skin discoloration that requires more coverage.

Best Powder Foundation

Cefine Silk Wet Powder Foundation Case and Refill

Cefine Silk Wet Powder is a Japanese powder foundation made from silk and packed with beautifying ingredients to promote a soft and smooth finish. It contains particles which blend naturally into the skin, providing effective coverage of blemishes including pores, acne scars, and dark circles.

This foundation has a non-creasing and long-lasting formula and is available in eight different shades to match a variety of skin tones.

Best Premium Foundation

Suqqu The Cream Foundation 30g

Suqqu's luxurious cream foundation stands apart from other foundations, featuring 13 botanical ingredients sourced from Japan. The selection of handpicked ingredients contains skin-enhancing properties, so it functions as a skincare product in addition to makeup. It also comes in a range of twelve different shades – more extensive than many other Japanese foundations.

Ingredients include Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, and Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, in addition to rejuvenating ingredients such as Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, and Citrus Junos Peel Extract, designed to promote skin vitality and radiance.

Best Foundation For Oily Skin

Ettusais Face Edition Skin Base Foundation For Oily Skin SPF35 PA++ 30ml

Ettusais Face Edition Skin Base Foundation is a lightweight and breathable makeup base designed for oily skin that prevents sebum build up without clogging pores. The formula creates a thin, non-invasive layer that effortlessly blends into the skin, leaving it smooth and breathable. 

This foundation provides a matte coverage with natural look, and provides a long-lasting effect, in addition to powerful sun protection of SPF35 PA++. It also helps to minimize the appearance of pores and is packed with moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, chamomile extract, and rosemary extract, keeping your complexion hydrated all day long.

Best Foundation That Doesn’t Need Washing Off

Club Suppin Powder Makeup Foundation White Floral Bouquet 26g

Club Suppin Powder Foundation is a unique makeup foundation because you can wear it while you’re sleeping! The light powder foundation helps to protect your skin from impurities in the air such as dust or cigarette smoke. This product is perfect for those days when you want to give your skin a break from heavy cosmetic products for a more natural look.

In addition to its lightweight coverage, this powder foundation contains hyaluronic acid, collagen, and algae extract with an aroma of "white floral bouquet". Also comes in a "pastel rose" aroma.

Best Water-Based Foundation

Cefine Silky Skin Care Liquid Water Based Foundation 30g

Cefine Silky Skin Care Liquid Foundation is a lightweight water-based foundation enriched with silk to cover pores and dullness with just one coat for a long-lasting natural glow. Available in four different shades, this foundation is designed to blend effortlessly into skin and is removed easily without leaving any residue behind in pores.

This foundation contains a combination of moisturizing beauty essences such as jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and argan oil to hydrate skin. 

Best Foundation and Concealer In One

Naturactor Coverface Full Coverage Cream Foundation 20g

This foundation is available in five different shades and is resistant to sweat and water to prevent makeup deterioration and provide excellent coverage.

The Coverface foundation spreads like a cream and covers the entire face easily while naturally hiding spots, freckles, and pores. Since it is a paste-like foundation with high coverage, it can also be used as a concealer.

Foundation Accessories

Shiseido Foundation Brush 131

The Shiseido Foundation Brush combines Shiseido's innovative technology with traditional Japanese brush-making techniques to create the perfect foundation finish. This brush can be used on different kinds of foundation including liquids, creams, and powders.

Use this brush for a uniform application and impeccable finish. It is ideal for contouring and highlighting too. The brush has a short handle for precise control during application and its compact size is perfect for travel. 

&be Black Face Sponge for Makeup

The &be Black Face Sponge is a cone-shaped makeup sponge designed for precise and flawless makeup application whether you use a powder or liquid foundation. 

The cone-shaped design ensures a smooth finish on the skin, for easy blurring of boundaries and application of makeup on trickier areas like around the nose and eyes. The sponge’s soft texture makes for a comfortable experience and its unique shape allows for a secure grip for ease of use.

You can find our full range of Japanese foundations here. 

Read this article on the best Japanese makeup brands and their top-rated products to learn more about Japanese cosmetics.