The word “lotion” does not tell you whether an APOSTY product is skincare or a medicine. APOSTY Cream is an acne medicine; APOSTY Lotion is a skin disinfectant medicine; APOSTY Mild Lotion is a quasi-drug skincare product. Similar branding does not make them substitutes or a routine you need to buy together.
Hi, I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born pharmacist licensed in Japan and working in a Japanese drugstore. When comparing these packages, I start with the exact Japanese product name and its approved purpose. Here’s more about me.
Checked October 15, 2026 against Zeria’s current product information and linked Japanese leaflets. This guide covers the two medicines in detail and explains the skincare classification only; it is not a comparison of every APOSTY skincare formula.
A quick way to identify the three products
| Exact product | Japanese classification | Main distinction |
|---|---|---|
| アポスティークリーム / APOSTY Cream | 第2類医薬品, Class 2 OTC medicine | Treatment of acne and pimples on affected spots |
| アポスティーローション / APOSTY Lotion | 第3類医薬品, Class 3 OTC medicine | Disinfection of wounds and specified infected skin surfaces |
| アポスティーマイルドローション / APOSTY Mild Lotion | 医薬部外品, quasi-drug | Skincare, including prevention of acne and chapping |
Class 2 versus Class 3 is a regulatory category, not a ranking of which is stronger for your acne. The full word “Mild” matters: the regular Lotion is not simply the same moisturizer in a different bottle.
APOSTY Cream: apply to the acne spots
The cream is labeled for acne and pimples. Its three active ingredients, per 100 g, are ibuprofen piconol 3.0 g, isopropyl methylphenol 0.1 g and tocopherol acetate (vitamin E acetate) 0.5 g. Ibuprofen piconol is the topical ingredient named on this tube; do not confuse it with an oral ibuprofen painkiller.
After cleansing with soap or a suitable cleanser, apply an appropriate amount to affected spots several times a day. The leaflet specifically says to use it only where there is acne, not over a wide surrounding area. This is not an all-over preventive moisturizer.
Keep it out of the eyes and use externally only. If it enters an eye, rinse promptly with water or lukewarm water; seek an eye doctor’s advice if symptoms are severe. Children need adult supervision. The leaflet does not give a numerical minimum age, which should not be read as a recommendation to treat an unexplained infant rash yourself.
Ask before using the cream if:
- You are receiving medical treatment or have a history of medicine allergy.
- The affected area is extensive.
- There is severe weeping or erosion, a deep wound or a serious burn.
Stop and consult if rash, redness, itching, stinging, swelling or uncomfortable dryness develops. If there is no improvement after five to six days, stop and ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered seller. That is a review point, not a promise that acne will disappear within six days.
APOSTY Lotion: check the wound-disinfection purpose
This is a Class 3 medicine, with a different formula and purpose from the acne cream. Its listed indications cover scratches, disinfection of wound surfaces and infected skin surfaces such as impetigo or boils, cuts, abrasions, puncture wounds and shoe-rub injuries.
| Active ingredient | Amount per 100 mL |
|---|---|
| Benzethonium chloride | 0.01 g |
| Dipotassium glycyrrhizate | 0.12 g |
| Allantoin | 0.12 g |
| Tocopherol acetate | 0.1 g |
Apply an appropriate amount to the affected area several times daily. It is for external use only. Avoid the eyes, rinse promptly if exposure occurs, and obtain eye care for severe symptoms. Supervise children.
Consult before use if you are receiving medical treatment, have a medicine-allergy history, have an extensive affected area, or have a deep wound or serious burn. Stop and seek advice for rash, redness or itching. If it has not helped after five to six days, stop and consult.
A listed disinfection indication is not a reason to manage a spreading skin infection at home. Worsening redness, swelling or pain, pus, fever or feeling unwell warrants prompt assessment. Uncontrolled bleeding, a very deep wound or an embedded object needs urgent care. Small cuts also need basic care: clean with water and protect with an appropriate dressing. A bottle of disinfectant does not replace those steps or medical treatment when required.
Where does Mild Lotion fit?
APOSTY Mild Lotion is a quasi-drug skincare lotion. Its listed purposes include keeping skin clean and moisturized, managing rough skin, and preventing acne and chapping. Prevention and skincare claims do not make it equivalent to the cream’s treatment indication or the regular Lotion’s wound-disinfection indication.
This guide does not give a complete Mild Lotion formula or recommend it for ingredient-sensitive readers: the official brand and manufacturer pages currently show different full ingredient lists. Check the actual package with a pharmacist if you need to avoid a particular ingredient. The name and quasi-drug classification are consistent across those sources.
There is no need to assume that buying all three will improve results. If you already use prescription acne treatment or several active skincare products, ask a pharmacist or dermatologist to check the combination rather than adding another product automatically.
Sensitive skin, pregnancy and storage
Both medicine formulas list ethanol among their additives. Fragrance-free, colorant-free or weakly acidic descriptions do not guarantee that a product will not irritate your skin. Check the complete package ingredient list if you have an allergy or a known ingredient sensitivity.
The two medicine leaflets do not list a separate pregnancy or breastfeeding restriction. If pregnant, possibly pregnant or breastfeeding, ask about your individual situation and other products before starting; absence of a warning is not blanket safety clearance.
Keep the medicines tightly closed, in their original containers, away from sunlight and children, and do not use them after expiry. Store the cream in a cool, dry place; keep the Lotion upright in a cool place. Take the package or leaflet with you if you need advice.
When acne needs more than another tube
Seek medical advice for deep painful lumps, widespread acne, scarring, symptoms that are not improving, or acne that is affecting your wellbeing. Avoid squeezing spots or scrubbing the skin; gentle cleansing is a better starting point. The purpose of choosing the right product is to avoid treating the wrong problem, not to delay care for persistent acne.
