Pair Acne Cream W: Japan's Don Quijote Acne Cream Series Guide (2026)

Pair Acne Cream W by Lion is a Japanese acne cream that travelers often look for at Don Quijote or drugstores in Japan. Here it is, organized based on official 2026 information.

This guide walks through Pair Acne Cream W's ingredients, how to use it, and the cautions, plus the related Pair series products worth checking at the same time, explained from a traveler's point of view.

What Is Pair Acne Cream W? Japan’s Acne Cream

Pair Acne Cream W is a topical acne treatment in the Pair series from Lion, the Japanese maker also known in Korea for the Kyusoku Jikan brand. Lion is a household goods and healthcare company with a history of more than 130 years, dating back to 1891, and Pair Acne Cream W is a Class 2 OTC drug sold at pharmacies and drugstores in Japan.

Among Korean travelers it is known as "Japanese acne cream," "Don Quijote acne cream," or "Pair Acne Cream." Its official efficacy is for pimples and acne, and it is a cream-type topical medicine you apply to the spot where acne has already formed.

Pair Acne Cream W: Price, Ingredients & How to Use

Pair Acne Cream W is a cream-type topical medicine you apply to the spot where acne has formed. It is a white cream, but it turns clear as you spread it on the skin.

✅ Basic information

※ Based on prices confirmed in 2026; may vary by store and seller.

✅ Active ingredients

Pair Acne Cream W has two main active ingredients.

• ① Ibuprofen piconol 30mg/g (3.0%): an ingredient that calms inflammation
• ② Isopropylmethylphenol 3.0mg/g (0.3%): an ingredient that disinfects the bacteria that can make symptoms worse

Pair Acne Cream W is a topical medicine you apply locally to the area with acne. It is not a cream to spread widely over the whole face, but a product to use only on the spot where a pimple or acne has formed.

✅ Order of use

• Wash your skin clean with a face wash
• Apply Pair Acne Cream W to the area with acne
• Once the applied area has dried, moisturize with toner or lotion

According to the official guidance, when using it together with toner or lotion, first wash your face, apply Pair Acne Cream W to the affected area, and once that area has dried, move on to the moisturizing step.

📌 Points to note

Since this is a topical medicine, you should use it only on the area with acne and avoid applying it to the wider surrounding area. Also be careful not to get it in your eyes.

Pair Series: 3-Product Comparison

According to the official Pair website, there are three main products. You may see them together at Don Quijote or Japanese drugstores while traveling, so it helps to know which is which.

1. Pair Acne Creamy Foam

Pair Acne Creamy Foam is a cleanser classified as a quasi-drug. It is a low-irritation medicated cleanser you can use when washing your face, with disinfecting and anti-inflammatory ingredients to prevent acne.

※ Based on prices confirmed in 2026; may vary by store and seller.

2. Pair Acne Cream W

This is the Japanese acne cream, with official efficacy for pimples and acne.

3. Pair Kampo Extract Tablets

Pair Kampo Extract Tablets are an oral medicine classified as a Class 2 OTC drug.

Don Quijote & Drugstore Buying Tips

Pair Acne Cream W and Pair Kampo Extract Tablets are Class 2 OTC drugs sold at pharmacies and drugstores in Japan. When looking for them at Don Quijote, it is better to check the medicine and pharmacy corner first rather than the cosmetics shelves.

Pair Acne Creamy Foam is a quasi-drug cleanser, so depending on the store it may be displayed in the cleanser and skincare corner rather than the medicine corner.

✅ Tax-free tip

Japanese medicines and quasi-drugs also qualify for tax exemption when you spend ¥5,000 or more (before tax) on the same day at the same store. However, the tax-free conditions and whether coupons apply can vary by store, so before paying, check your passport, coupons, and tax-free eligibility together.

✅ Using drugstore coupons

When buying medicines and quasi-drugs at Don Quijote or Japanese drugstores, it is good to check both tax exemption and coupons. Some coupons do not apply to medicines or exclude certain items, so it is safest to check with a staff member before paying.

👉 Don Quijote Discount Coupon

👉 Matsumoto Kiyoshi Discount Coupon

👉 Welcia Discount Coupon

👉 Sugi Pharmacy Discount Coupon

👉 Sundrug Discount Coupon

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I use Pair Acne Cream W with makeup on?

It is a white cream, but the type that turns clear as you spread it on the skin. Also, apply it to the affected area after washing your face, and once the applied area has dried, moisturize with toner or lotion.

Q2. Can I use it on back or chest acne?

You can use it on back and chest acne too. Just use it only on the area with acne, and do not use it over the wider surrounding area.

Q3. Can children use it?

Children can use it too, but a guardian should check the area of use and the amount used.

Q4. Does it contain steroids?

Pair Acne Cream W does not use any steroid. That said, if you feel irritation or anything unusual while using it, stop using it and check with a professional.

Q5. Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The official FAQ says you can use it, but pregnancy and breastfeeding are times when your constitution is unstable, so it recommends consulting your doctor before use.

If you are looking for a Japanese acne cream at Don Quijote or a drugstore while traveling in Japan, take a look at Lion's Pair Acne Cream W. Since it is a Class 2 OTC drug, check the official efficacy, how to use it, and the cautions first, and before paying, also check the tax-free conditions and whether drugstore coupons apply.

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