Glossary
A glossary of Japanese cosmetics terms for non-Japanese speakers
A reference glossary of the Japanese cosmetics vocabulary — from category names to claim terms — that overseas buyers encounter on Japanese packaging.
Japanese cosmetics packaging uses a compact set of recurring terms. Once you know them, most Japanese skincare and makeup packs become quickly readable even without full Japanese fluency. This glossary collects the most frequent terms, grouped by usage — category names, claim terms, packaging language, and skin-type designations.
Category names — skincare
The core skincare vocabulary on Japanese packaging:
- 化粧水 (keshōsui) — toner or lotion; the water-based hydration step
- 乳液 (nyūeki) — emulsion; light moisturizer, thinner than cream
- 美容液 (biyōeki) — essence or serum; concentrated treatment
- クリーム (kurīmu) — cream; the sealing moisturizer
- ジェル (jeru) — gel; often a lightweight hybrid
- オールインワン (ōru-in-wan) — all-in-one product combining multiple steps
- 導入液 (dōnyū-eki) — booster or pre-essence, used before toner
- パック / マスク (pakku / masuku) — mask; sheet masks, wash-off, sleep masks
- 日焼け止め (hi-yake dome) — sunscreen
- クレンジング (kurenjingu) — makeup remover (oil, balm, milk, gel)
- 洗顔 (senkan) — face wash
Category names — makeup
Common Japanese makeup terms:
- 下地 (shitaji) — primer / base; applied before foundation
- ファンデーション (fandēshon) — foundation
- クッション (kusshon) — cushion foundation
- BB / CC クリーム — BB / CC cream
- コンシーラー (konshīrā) — concealer
- フェイスパウダー (feisu paudā) — face powder / setting powder
- チーク (chīku) — blush
- アイシャドウ (ai-shadō) — eyeshadow
- アイライナー (ai-rainā) — eyeliner
- マスカラ (masukara) — mascara
- 口紅 / リップ (kuchibeni / rippu) — lipstick / lip product
- リップグロス (rippu-gurosu) — lip gloss
Claim terms you will see on packs
These are the most common marketing and claim terms on Japanese cosmetics packaging:
- 薬用 (yakuyō) — medicated; indicates the product is a quasi-drug
- 美白 (bihaku) — whitening / brightening; typically a quasi-drug claim
- シワ改善 (shiwa kaizen) — wrinkle improvement; a quasi-drug claim
- ハリ (hari) — firmness
- ツヤ (tsuya) — glow / luminosity
- うるおい (uruoi) — moisture / hydration
- 毛穴 (keana) — pores
- 角質 (kakushitsu) — dead skin cells / stratum corneum
- 低刺激 (tei-shigeki) — low-irritation / gentle
- 無香料 (mu-kōryō) — fragrance-free
- 無着色 (mu-chakushoku) — colorant-free
- アルコールフリー (arukōru furī) — alcohol-free
- ノンコメドジェニック (non komedojenikku) — non-comedogenic
Skin-type designations
Japanese packs often call out the target skin type directly:
- 乾燥肌 (kansō-hada) — dry skin
- 脂性肌 (shishō-hada) — oily skin
- 混合肌 (konkō-hada) — combination skin
- 敏感肌 (binkan-hada) — sensitive skin
- ゆらぎ肌 (yuragi-hada) — "unstable" skin; a uniquely Japanese concept covering skin that fluctuates with season, stress, or hormonal cycles
- 年齢肌 (nenrei-hada) — mature / aging skin
- ニキビ肌 (nikibi-hada) — acne-prone skin
Packaging and format language
Terms you will see on the secondary panel or in marketing:
- 詰め替え (tsumekae) — refill; often cheaper than the initial bottle
- 本体 (hontai) — main body / initial purchase with its container
- 限定 (gentei) — limited edition
- 新発売 (shin-hatsubai) — new launch
- 数量限定 (sūryō-gentei) — limited quantity
- エコパック (eko pakku) — eco refill pack
- トラベルサイズ (toraberu saizu) — travel size
- 無香料・微香料 (mu-kōryō / bi-kōryō) — fragrance-free / lightly-scented
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