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Go to any beauty blog or website, and it will always have articles on proper skincare steps (here’s one of mine). So, by now you already know that a very basic daily skincare routine should include removing your makeup, washing your face, toning, and moisturizing. At the very least.

But, what do you use to apply these skincare products on your face? Do you even clean the makeup brushes that touch your skin daily (assuming you use makeup brushes and not your fingers)? Remember that beauty hygiene is just as important as knowing the right skincare steps—just imagine the damage it would do to your skin if you use dirty makeup brushes. And I don’t know about you, but cotton balls just don’t work for me when applying toner; I have to use cotton pads.

For some time now, I’ve been turning to Nippon Esthetic Solutions for my beauty hygiene essentials. They started in 2006 as a beauty solutions provider to Manila’s top cosmetic and personal care brands, with a full line of makeup and beauty tools, inspired by Japanese simplicity and precise and flawless makeup application. I love using their disposable sponges that come in various sizes for applying foundation. Besides the quality of their products, I really like their pricing—it’s more affordable than those of a lot of our favorite beauty brands.

As for skincare, these two Nippon products have earned a permanent spot on my boudoir:

Nippon Facial Patting Cotton (P100), which comes in a box of 100 premium 60x70mm cotton pads, is perfect for applying skincare—in my case, toner, and sometimes, eye makeup remover. I can’t get enough of these! I like that they’re in a carton that’s easy to close so I can stack them with my other beauty boxes. The cotton itself is soft yet durable, not flimsy, and absorbs my toner properly, so I don’t have the liquid streaking or dripping on my face and making it overly wet. It’s a good size, so just one pad is enough for use all over my face and even neck.

Here’s a Facial Patting Cotton soaked in toner.

But generally, I use the Nippon Makeup Remover Lotion (P300 for 300ml) for removing makeup. It’s a slightly cooling lotion that gently yet effectively erases traces of makeup, even the most stubborn eyeliner and mascara, without stinging my eyes or my sensitive skin, or leaving a layer of grease. You may use this with the Nippon Facial Patting Cotton to wipe off makeup and oil, or, in my case, I just use my bare hands (after thoroughly washing them, okay?).

Using my fingers, I apply three pumps on my face (sometimes more when my eye makeup is extra hard to remove), then gently massage the product in circular motions all over, especially around the delicate eye area. Then I rinse it off, easily I must add, with water before applying my facial foam. My face is squeaky clean yet still soft and not dry after each wash, and I can confidently apply my night skincare products without worrying about residue.

The Makeup Remover Lotion also comes in a 60ml travel-sized bottle (P100) that easily fits in my travel kit. It’s the perfect refill bottle when we’re off to the beach, mountain climbing, or camping (or fine, in my case, glamping).

You can get both the Face Patting Cotton and Makeup Remover Lotion in a starter kit called Nippon Skincare Duo (retails at P400, with free travel-sized makeup remover).

I still like to dry my face using a thick, fluffy towel, but you might also want to try the Nippon Facial Cotton Cloth (P50 per pack of 10). Much like a dry mini towel, this hygienic disposable cloth is best used to pat skin dry after cleansing. It’s made of cotton that does not break easily or leave fibers on skin. Personally, I use this to clean my makeup brushes. Makeup artists actually use this to wipe brushes clean after spraying with Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner.

As for me, I got the idea from brush cleaner cloth samples using exactly the same material, soaked in cleansing fluid. So what I do is soak a sheet in gentle liquid makeup remover (not the lotion), then carefully use one square (there are four sections per sheet, based on how it’s folded) for each brush. It’s what I usually do when I’m too lazy to actually wash my brushes. This may not be the best practice, but I sure conserve water and it does the job well and fast.

You can purchase Nippon beauty hygiene essentials online on nipponesthetic.com. Nippon Esthetic Solutions also distributes Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner and Bohktoh Lashes, which became mainstream when Toni Gonzaga used them on her wedding day.

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