What are the common misunderstandings about in-store testers and free samples?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Testers are a fixture of Japanese cosmetics counters, in department stores and drugstores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, etc.) alike. "Who knows who has used this tester — is it safe?" is a question asked abroad too. Since 2020, most companies have changed how they run their testers.
What to consider
| Type of tester | Risk | How to test |
|---|---|---|
| Lipstick (stick) | Traces of contact with mouths; bacteria | Ask staff to wipe the surface, then take some with a finger or cotton bud onto the back of your hand. Do not apply to your lips |
| Mascara, liquid liner | Shared brush | Only where disposable brushes or applicators are provided. Never directly on the eyes |
| Cream in a jar | Touched with fingers | Take it with a spatula (ask staff) |
| Powders | Relatively low | Disposable applicator, or the back of your hand |
| Lotion, pump bottles | Relatively low | Dispense onto the back of your hand |
| Free samples (sachets) | Low if unopened | Check any date on the label; once opened, use it up in one go |
- Cosmetics that stay stable for 3 years or more unopened are not required to carry an expiry date, so in practice you cannot tell when a tester was opened. The Japan Cosmetic Industry Association advises shops to replace and wipe testers regularly.
- Since 2020, many shops have stopped "touch-ups" (applying product directly to the customer's face) or made them appointment-only, and providing disposable tools has become standard.
- A "sample" is the same product as the one sold, but the labelling (ingredients, manufacturer) is sometimes abbreviated. If you cannot see the full ingredient list, check the full-size product on the shelf.
[Verify] Check the scope of the expiry-labelling requirement against Article 61 of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act (Japan's cosmetics and drugs law), and tester hygiene against the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association's in-store hygiene guide.
Misunderstanding 1｜A tester tells you whether a product suits your skin
The back of the hand and the face are different skin, and one trial tells you only colour and texture. Whether a product suits you takes several days to judge, so taking a sample home is the reliable way.
Misunderstanding 2｜A wiped lipstick is clean
Wiping removes the surface, but not bacteria that have got inside. Do not apply it directly to your lips.
Misunderstanding 3｜The age of a tester does not matter
A tester opened long ago may differ from the real product in scent, colour and texture. If it has separated, discoloured or changed smell, it tells you nothing useful.
Misunderstanding 4｜Samples keep for years
Sachet samples are thin and deteriorate easily in light and heat, so use within about a year, and in one go once opened. Discard any whose date you cannot tell.
Misunderstanding 5｜Having staff apply it to your face is the surest way
With touch-ups, hygiene of brushes and sponges varies from shop to shop. Choose a shop that takes appointments and uses disposable tools, or test on the back of your own hand — the safer option.
---
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Expiry labelling of cosmetics" [化粧品の使用期限の表示について] (Article 61, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iyakuhin/keshouhin/index.html
- Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, "Using cosmetics correctly: in-store testers" [化粧品の正しい使い方・店頭テスターについて]
https://www.jcia.org/user/public/
- National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, "Enquiries about skin disorders caused by cosmetics" [化粧品による皮膚障害に関する相談]
https://www.kokusen.go.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Cosmetics are not medicines and are not meant to diagnose, heal or prevent any condition. If your skin reacts, stop using the product and see a dermatologist.
Sources
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