Pair Acne Cream W: Japan's Don Quijote Acne Cream Series Guide (2026)
Tokyo Mate
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
| Product name | Pair Acne Cream W |
| Classification | Class 2 OTC drug / topical medicine |
| Size | 14g, 24g |
| Price | ¥1,078 (14g) / ¥1,518 (24g) (tax included) |
| Efficacy | Pimples, acne |
| How to use | Apply an appropriate amount to the affected area several times a day, after washing your face |
| Where sold | Pharmacies, drugstores, and online stores in Japan |
※ 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.
| Product | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pair Acne Creamy Foam | Face-wash care (quasi-drug) | Medicated cleansing to prevent acne |
| Pair Acne Cream W | Topical medicine (Class 2 OTC drug) | Treating pimples and acne |
| Pair Kampo Extract Tablets | Oral medicine (Class 2 OTC drug) | Taken internally |
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.
| Product name | Pair Acne Creamy Foam |
| Classification | Quasi-drug / medicated cleanser |
| Size | 80g |
| Price | ¥1,199 (tax included) |
| Active ingredients | Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, isopropylmethylphenol |
| How to use | Take an appropriate amount into your hand, work it into a lather with water or lukewarm water, and wash gently |
※ 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.
| Product name | Pair Acne Cream W |
| Classification | Class 2 OTC drug / topical medicine |
| Size | 14g, 24g |
| Price | ¥1,078 (14g) / ¥1,518 (24g) (tax included) |
| Active ingredients | Ibuprofen piconol 30mg/g (3.0%), isopropylmethylphenol 3.0mg/g (0.3%) |
| How to use | Apply an appropriate amount to the affected area several times a day, after washing your face |

3. Pair Kampo Extract Tablets
Pair Kampo Extract Tablets are an oral medicine classified as a Class 2 OTC drug.
| Product name | Pair Kampo Extract Tablets |
| Classification | Class 2 OTC drug / oral medicine |
| Size | 112 tablets (14 days) / 240 tablets (30 days) |
| How to use | 4 tablets per dose, twice a day |
| For | Adults 15 and over (not for under 15; best avoided if pregnant or possibly pregnant, and consult a doctor before taking) |

📌 Notice: Pair Acne Clean Lotion production ended
Pair Acne Clean Lotion ended production as of January 2026. It is now sold only as leftover stock at some stores.

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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