5 Best Japanese Whitening Supplements

What Are Japanese Whitening Pills? A Quick Overview of How to Choose and Review New Products!

Table of Contents

• How to Choose Japanese Whitening Pills?
• Common Ingredients and Effects of Japanese Whitening Pills
• 5 Best Japanese Whitening Supplements [Medical Grade]
• Topical Whitening Essences and Face Masks

How to Choose Japanese Whitening Pills?

What Are the Effects of Whitening Pills? Do You Need Them?

1. Improving Uneven Skin Tone: Japanese whitening pills typically contain antioxidants and whitening ingredients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Tranexamic Acid, etc., which can reduce melanin production and effectively improve uneven skin tone, making your skin more even and radiant.

2. Reducing Spot Formation: UV rays are the main cause of skin spots. The active ingredients in whitening pills can neutralize free radicals, reducing the damage caused by UV rays to the skin, thus effectively preventing the formation of spots.
   These are the primary functions of whitening pills. Of course, the ingredients in whitening pills can also improve skin texture and dullness. However, the effects of whitening pills vary from person to person, so it's best to consult a doctor or professional beautician before deciding to use them. Combine with daily sun protection, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep to achieve the desired whitening effect.

Choosing Effective Ingredients Based on Needs

There are many whitening ingredients with different corresponding needs. For example, if you want to fade existing spots, it is recommended to use Tranexamic Acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can block the melanin pathway, making it particularly suitable for fading existing spots. For whitening and anti-aging needs, antioxidant Vitamin C is recommended. To improve uneven or dull skin tone, it is recommended to combine with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) for mild exfoliation, promoting skin metabolism and making the skin brighter. Choosing the right ingredient for your skin needs will be more effective.

Pay Attention to the Content of Active Ingredients

After choosing the right ingredient, also look at the content. The main ingredients are usually listed at the top of the ingredient list; the further forward they are, the higher the content. Major brands usually provide the content of the main ingredients.

Medical Grade or Health Supplement Grade

1. Medical-grade Whitening Pills
   These are drugs recognized by the Japanese government for their whitening effects, helpful in improving and preventing spots. Suitable for those who want to achieve whitening and spot-fading effects with targeted treatments.
2. Health Supplement Grade Whitening Pills
   These work by supplementing specific nutrients such as Vitamin C. Suitable for those who want to improve skin texture by achieving balanced nutrition.
   Japanese medicines will indicate "Class ○ Medicines" on the packaging. Others labeled "Functional Food," "Nutritional Function Food," or "Functional Food" belong to health supplements. Some health supplements may have no label, meaning they have not been certified by the government and cannot claim effects.

※For details on Japanese medical classification see here
※For details on Japanese health food classification see here

Common Ingredients and Effects of Japanese Whitening Pills

Japanese Ingredient Name	Chinese Ingredient Name	Main Effects
トラネキサム酸	Tranexamic Acid	Inhibits melanin production, improves pigmentation. Anti-inflammatory, repairs skin barrier. Common in Japanese medical spot treatments.
ビタミンC 誘導体	Vitamin C Derivative	Antioxidant, inhibits melanin production, improves pigmentation.
L-システイン	L-Cysteine	Inhibits melanin production, improves pigmentation. Antioxidant, promotes skin metabolism and repair.
グルタチオン	Glutathione	One of the antioxidants in the body, inhibits melanin and has whitening effects.
洋甘菊ET	Chamomile Extract	Anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, antioxidant, moisturizing, brightens skin tone. Common in sensitive skin care whitening ingredients.
アルブチン	Arbutin	Inhibits tyrosinase, reducing melanin production. Antioxidant, moisturizing, brightens skin tone.
ナイアシンアミド	Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)	Inhibits melanin transfer to epidermal cells, reducing spots and uneven skin tone. Enhances skin barrier function, controls oil, reduces pores, promotes collagen synthesis in the skin.
パントテン酸カルシウム	Calcium Pantothenate	Helps energy metabolism, hormone synthesis, promotes skin health and wound healing, reduces fatigue. Considered an auxiliary ingredient from a whitening perspective.
ピリドキシン塩酸塩（ビタミンB6）	Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)	Helps metabolism, maintains health of skin and mucous membranes. Considered an auxiliary ingredient from a whitening perspective.
リボフラビンリン酸（ビタミンB2）	Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)	Maintains health of skin and mucous membranes. Considered an auxiliary ingredient from a whitening perspective.
コハク酸d-α-トコフェロール（天然型ビタミンE）	Succinic Acid d-α-Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E)	Promotes blood circulation, enhances metabolism. Considered an auxiliary ingredient from a whitening perspective.
ニコチン酸アミド	Niacinamide	Maintains health of skin and mucous membranes. Considered an auxiliary ingredient from a whitening perspective.

In addition to whitening pills, the above ingredients are also commonly used in medicinal whitening skincare products. The only difference is that the effects of topical products are more inclined towards maintenance and prevention of melanin deposition.

5 Best Japanese Whitening Supplements

• Features: A certified non-prescription drug effective for melasma. Improvements seen after continuous use for 8 weeks.
• Medical Classification: Class 1 Medicine
• Efficacy: Contains Tranexamic Acid, effective in improving dark spots (limited to melasma).
• Main Ingredients and Content per 4 Tablets:
  • Tranexamic Acid 750g
  • L-Cysteine 240g
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 300g
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 6g
  • Calcium Pantothenate 24g
  • Niacinamide 40g
• Official Price: 240 tablets / 7,260 JPY
• DOKODEMO Special Price: 240 tablets / 6,600 JPY Limited Sale!

• Features: The highest Vitamin C content of 2000mg in the series, L-Cysteine to alleviate pigmentation, also contains nutrients E, B2, B6, B3, and Calcium Pantothenate for skin health.
• Medical Classification: Class 3 Medicine
• Efficacy: Relieves the following symptoms: dark spots, freckles, pigmentation due to sunburn and dermatitis.
  Vitamin C supplementation for: physical fatigue, pregnancy and lactation periods, post-illness weakness, and elderly.
• Suitable Age: 7 years and older
• Main Ingredients and Content per 6 Tablets (Adult Daily Dose):
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 2000mg
  • L-Cysteine 240mg
  • Succinic Acid d-α-Tocopheryl (Natural Vitamin E) 50mg
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 6mg
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 12mg
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 60mg
  • Calcium Pantothenate 24mg
• Official Price: 180 tablets / 7,260 JPY
• DOKODEMO Special Price: 180 tablets / 3,200 JPY

• Features: Vitamin C as the main agent, L-Cysteine to alleviate pigmentation, also contains Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B6, and Biotin to support normal skin metabolism. The tablets are coated to be tasteless and odorless, with a small diameter of 9.2mm for easy ingestion.
• Medical Classification: Class 3 Medicine
• Efficacy: Relieves the following symptoms: dark spots, freckles, pigmentation due to sunburn and dermatitis.
  Vitamin C supplementation for: physical fatigue, pregnancy and lactation periods, post-illness weakness, and elderly.
• Suitable Age: 7 years and older
• Main Ingredients and Content per 6 Tablets (Adult Daily Dose):
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 1200mg
  • L-Cysteine 240mg
  • Calcium Pantothenate 24mg
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 12mg
  • Biotin (Vitamin H) 500μg
• Official Price: 180 tablets / 4,730 JPY
• DOKODEMO Special Price: 180 tablets / 2,500 JPY

• Features: The new generation of Hythiol Whitening Tablets! The highest content of L-Cysteine and Vitamin B6 in the series.
• Medical Classification: Class 3 Medicine
• Efficacy: pigmentation caused by dark spots, freckles, sun exposure, and others; general fatigue, hangovers, acne, eczema, hives, dermatitis, allergies.
• Suitable Age: 7 years and older
• Main Ingredients and Content per 4 Tablets (Adult Daily Dose):
  • L-Cysteine 240mg
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 500mg
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 50mg
• Official Price: No reference price
• DOKODEMO Special Price: 120 tablets / 3,780 JPY

• Features: Chocola BB is designed as a nutritional supplement whitening tablet targeting spots.
• Medical Classification: Class 3 Medicine
• Efficacy: Relieves the following symptoms: dark spots, freckles, pigmentation due to sunburn and dermatitis.
  Vitamin C supplementation for: physical fatigue, pregnancy and lactation periods, post-illness weakness, and elderly.
• Suitable Age: 7 years and older
• Main Ingredients and Content per 6 Tablets (Adult Daily Dose):
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 600mg
  • L-Cysteine 240mg
  • Riboflavin Phosphate Sodium (Vitamin B2 Phosphate) 15mg
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 20mg
  • Niacinamide 25mg
  • Succinic Acid d-α-Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E) 100mg
• Official Price: 120 tablets / 3,278 JPY
• DOKODEMO Special Price: 120 tablets / 2,576 JPY

Notes

※The product information and prices listed in the article may change. Please refer to the manufacturer's official website for the latest information.
※DOKODEMO special prices are limited-time sale prices. Actual prices and stock status may vary; please check the website at the time of purchase.
※The dosage may vary based on age. Be sure to follow the instructions and precautions on the packaging when using.