Japanese skincare is having a moment in the UK, but there is one slightly annoying problem: finding the good stuff.
You can find Hada Labo, Kose, Biore, Senka and Melano CC on various marketplaces, but prices vary wildly and it’s not always obvious whether you’re buying the Japanese version of a product or an imported version intended for another market.
So, if you want the best of Japanese skincare, without having to fly all the way to Tokyo to do so… say hi to BuyMeJapan.
I’ve been looking into it, and here’s what you actually need to know.
What Is BuyMeJapan?
BuyMeJapan is an online retailer specialising in Japanese products, including skincare, haircare, makeup, snacks and household products.
For skincare, the selection is genuinely huge. At the time of writing, its UK site has more than 1,000 skincare products, including brands such as Hada Labo, Kose, Melano CC, Shiseido, Biore, DHC, Fancl and Curél.
The useful thing is that you’re shopping from a retailer specifically built around Japanese products rather than trying to find one particular Japanese serum buried among thousands of marketplace listings.
So, Is BuyMeJapan Legit?
Yes.
BuyMeJapan is an established Japanese-products retailer and its UK-facing site allows customers to shop in GBP.
It also ships Japanese products internationally, including to the UK. The company says most orders are shipped from Japan using Japan Post with tracking, with final delivery handled by the local postal service or another delivery partner once the parcel reaches the destination country.
That last point is worth remembering because this isn’t the same thing as ordering from a UK warehouse.
Why Would You Buy Japanese Skincare From BuyMeJapan?
The selection is the main reason
This is where BuyMeJapan makes the most sense.
There are hundreds of Japanese skincare products on the site, including brands that can be surprisingly difficult to find in the UK.
Want Japanese Melano CC? Hada Labo? Kose Softymo? Senka? Shiseido? Fancl?
They’re all there.
And because the site is focused specifically on Japanese products, you can actually browse by brand rather than spending half an hour trying to work out whether a random Amazon seller is legitimate.
You can find the Japanese versions of cult products
This is particularly useful with products such as Melano CC and Kose Softymo.
The Japanese beauty market has its own formulas and product variations, and the packaging can look completely different from versions sold internationally.
If you’re following a Japanese skincare routine, buying from a retailer specialising in Japanese products gives you a much clearer route to the products you’re actually looking for.
The prices can be surprisingly reasonable
Some products are very inexpensive.
For example, at the time of writing, Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil is around £7 on the UK version of the site, while Melano CC Vitamin C Essence is around £10.
Obviously, the final cost depends on delivery, so don’t compare the product price alone.
This is one of those websites where buying one £7 cleanser and paying international shipping probably doesn’t make much sense.
Putting together a larger order makes considerably more sense.
What About Shipping to the UK?
BuyMeJapan currently ships to the UK and offers the UK site in GBP.
Shipping costs depend on your order, so check the total at checkout before deciding whether you’ve found a bargain.
There is also free shipping advertised above certain order thresholds, although these thresholds can change, so I’d always check the current shipping page before placing an order.
The important thing is to think about the whole basket, not the price of one product.
If you’re buying several Japanese skincare staples, the maths can make much more sense.
Is BuyMeJapan Cheaper Than Amazon?
Sometimes.
And sometimes it absolutely isn’t.
Amazon can be cheaper when a particular Japanese product is already stocked in the UK and you’re buying during a promotion.
The advantage of BuyMeJapan isn’t necessarily that every single product is the cheapest possible option.
It’s that you’re getting access to a much wider selection of Japanese products from a retailer specialising in them.
For harder-to-find products, that’s a much bigger selling point.
What Can You Buy From BuyMeJapan?
The skincare selection is much bigger than just the usual Hada Labo and Biore recommendations.
Some of the brands available include:
- Hada Labo
- Kose
- Kose Softymo
- Melano CC
- Shiseido
- Senka
- Biore
- DHC
- Fancl
- Curél
- Anessa
- Skin Aqua
- Sana
- Canmake
- Orbis
- Minon
- Transino
The site currently lists more than 100 brands within its skincare section.
That’s where it becomes particularly useful if you’ve moved beyond the usual “Japanese skincare starter pack”.
My Favourite Things to Buy From BuyMeJapan
Melano CC Vitamin C Essence
One of the easiest Japanese vitamin C products to recommend.
It’s inexpensive, compact and particularly useful if you’re interested in pigmentation and dullness.
BuyMeJapan currently stocks the original Melano CC Vitamin C Essence as well as stronger Melano CC formulas.
Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
This is one of the products I’d genuinely consider ordering from Japan rather than hunting around for it.
It’s inexpensive, the bottle is large and it makes removing sunscreen and makeup considerably less annoying.
BuyMeJapan currently lists the 230ml and 240ml versions.
Hada Labo
Hada Labo is one of the Japanese skincare brands that is worth buying directly if you’re building a proper J-beauty routine.
The range is much bigger than the famous Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. There are cleansers, lotions, serums and creams covering everything from basic hydration to anti-ageing.
When Would I Not Use BuyMeJapan?
If you only want one product and you can easily get it from a UK retailer, I’d compare the total price first.
Amazon UK, Stylevana, YesStyle and other retailers may work out cheaper once delivery is included.
I’d also check delivery times if you need something urgently. You’re ordering Japanese products from a specialist international retailer, so this isn’t necessarily going to be as quick as Prime.
So, Is BuyMeJapan Worth It?
For UK shoppers who are interested in Japanese skincare, I think the answer comes down to what you’re buying.
If you’re after one bottle of cleanser tomorrow morning, probably not.
If you’re looking for several Japanese products, particularly brands or formulas that are difficult to find in the UK, BuyMeJapan becomes much more interesting.
The biggest advantage is the selection. You’re not just buying whatever Japanese skincare happens to have made its way onto the UK market. You can actually browse Japanese brands properly.
And if you’re already a J-beauty obsessive, that’s quite difficult to resist.
Seoul To Skin readers can also use code SEOULTOSKIN for 10% off selected purchases.
Always check the current shipping costs, delivery options and discount terms at checkout, as these can change.