Emulsion Skincare

The J-Beauty Difference

American skincare routines are often focused on fixing or hiding imperfections. J-Beauty, on the other hand, is about prevention, maintenance, and embracing one’s natural beauty—all of which can be achieved with proper hydration and careful layers of moisture that build on one another, resulting in smooth, plump “mochi skin”.

When you cleanse your face with water, it can actually dry out your skin, due to a phenomenon known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Shortly after putting water on your skin, it will begin to evaporate, taking your natural moisture along with it. This is where emulsions come into the picture.

What is an Emulsion?

To keep levels of TEWL in check, you should use an emulsion to moisturize immediately after cleansing. Since many Americans may not be familiar with the term “Emulsion”, it can be tempting to skip this vital step in the J-Beauty routine. While you may think to reach for a toner after cleansing your skin, we recommend using a Japanese emulsion instead to nourish, soften, and enhance the health of the bare skin by restoring the optimal hydration balance.  It's important to also understand the differences between emulsions and other skincare products.

When you add a light emulsion to your skincare routine, you’ll be prepping your skin to absorb more of the active ingredients in the final products of your regimen. You can think of applying emulsion as you might think about applying products to a dry or wet sponge. A dry sponge won’t easily absorb serums or moisturizers placed on it - a damp sponge will absorb ingredients much more efficiently. Just a small amount of emulsion will rehydrate your skin after cleansing, allowing it to soak up all the benefits of serums and heavier creams.

What is the difference between an emulsion and lotion?

One of the secrets of J-Beauty is moisturizing by layers, slowly building from more watery products to those that are thicker in consistency.

Emulsions are used to rehydrate the face as a second step after cleansing, and are typically water-based and milky in appearance and texture. As a powerful tool for rehydration, you will only need one or two drops of emulsion to cover your entire face. By incorporating a Japanese emulsion into your skincare routine, you will give your skin a luxurious, moisturizing lift that allows your other skincare products to maximize their full potential. Finish your skincare routine by using a serum, followed by a heavier cream to lock in moisture for radiant, healthy skin.

Are emulsions better for oily or dry skin?

Different emulsions are tailored to all sorts of specific skin types or concerns, and are essential tools to achieve balance for both oily and dry skin. If you have questions about achieving the perfect moisture balance for your skin type, head over to take our skin quiz and receive a personalized skincare regime tailored to your individual needs.