In the U.S., we are rushing through life on auto-pilot, and this applies to our skincare as well. The Japanese do live a more slow-paced life, (almost nothing opens before 10:00 a.m. in Japan), but as humans we are all burdened by the same things. So what’s the difference? Why do Japanese women seem like their skin is frozen in time, stopped at “youthful” or “mochi mochi” the term used to describe skin that is soft, bouncy, hydrated and supple.

When you think of skincare routines, you think of exactly that. Something you do, every day, for a reason. Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize. Repeat. Now, take a moment to read the next line.

Cleanse, soften, strengthen, treat, moisturize, and protect.

How did that make you feel? Did you feel a difference in between the two lines? Because I did, and so will your skin when you shift your thinking from the former to the latter.

Here is the difference. I will tell you right now.

The difference is the intention. The understanding and acceptance that skincare is a ritual and sacred time for self. Now that you understand the why, let’s get into the ritual. I would also like you to use the word ritual instead of routine, because routine implies something common and usual, important but not sacred. The word ritual is commanding, your ears understand that this word means something important is connected to the task. Choosing to use the word ritual is an affirmation to yourself that this is a time that demands respect. You deserve a moment in the day fully dedicated to you and we will use this word so you understand how important self-care is.

This is when we cleanse makeup and impurities from surface of skin. Double cleansing is the preferred method. Start with an oil cleanser or balm to remove makeup and then a foamy cleanser to remove any leftover impurities.

This step is not traditional in U.S. beauty practices. Softening the skin is what we think of as toner. Lotions and emulsions are used here to soften through hydration, and to prepare the skin for strengthening and treatments to come. This “softening” concept is a staple and unique aspect of Japanese beauty that is often overlooked in other beauty regimens.

The strengthen step is another unique aspect of J-beauty. This is done after softening with a toner, but before treatments for specific skin concerns like anti-aging. This step focuses on strengthening the with the use of products that boost the skin barrier as a whole. An essence is usually popular for this step since it has a high concentration of ingredients, but not as high as a serum.

Treatments address specific concerns with serums and ampoules. Serums contain high concentration of ingredients, and ampoules contain the highest concentrations. This step cares for concerns like melasma, fine lines and anti-aging. Many J-beauty products infuse natural diet-to-skin ingredients like green tea, seaweed, camellia oil and rice germ for a holistic approach to supercharging the skin.

Once your skin is hydrated and boosted, it’s time to lock in the goodness with moisturizer. Surprisingly, moisturizers are not a solid category in Japan the way they are in the U.S., where a moisturizer = cream of some kind. In Japan, the moisturizers are usually gel textures or “all-in-one” creams that aim to combine the benefits of the above steps into one product. These products are popular with people who want a more streamlined skincare routine.

The last step in a J-beauty routine is to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with sunscreen, and there is no one else who does it better than Japan. They have glowy and matte sunscreens, misting and powder sunscreens. Have you ever heard of a sunscreen milk? They have an entire rating system for their sunscreens, the more ++, the stronger and longer the sunscreen works. There is no sticky feeling and my favorite sunscreen texture is literally “watery gel” like, you’ve *never* heard of that in America.

This six-step routine challenges you to think about the intention and care that goes into your face. I think it’s a nice way to understand that the skincare ritual is more than slapping on face products or sunscreen, it’s a way to connect with yourself on a daily basis. A ritual to remind you how sacred and special you are.