November 16, 2020
What is the Definition of Beautiful Skin in Japan
Facelabo Co., Ltd., the contracted manufacturer of skin care products, makes J-Beauty its keyword and communicates the things that Japanese people see as most important in skin care.
What is “J-Beauty”?
What is the Definition of Beautiful Skin in Japan?
In Japan, there are numerous words which can describe beautiful skin: Moisturised, Glowing, Smoothness and many more. For example, “kime” and “Tsuya” are the typical words to define flawless skin. Originally “kime” means the groove condition (sulcus cutis and crista cutis) on the surface of the skin, it indicates the smooth texture as well. “Kime” expresses healthy skin without roughness, spots, opened pores and dryness. “Tsuya” means “glow skin”. Both of these words have been used among Japanese people as the keywords of J-Beauty since the Edo-period (18th century).
In order to produce “kime” and “Tsuya” skin, the most important factor is hydration. So we have been obsessed with providing moisture to our skin for centuries. “Mizu-mizu-shii” is also one of the essential words which describe an extremely hydrated skin condition.
Moisture is the First Priority in J-Beauty
“Mizu” means water. For skin, it means moisture. The most essential and indispensable Japanese skincare item is “Face Lotion” as a toner with a moisturiser function. We apply it by using our palms after cleansing, rather than wiping with cotton. 90% of Japanese women use it as daily care.*1 It exists only for moisturising skin. Formulation consists of many hydrating ingredients such as Glycerin or Hyaluronic acid in water. Its appearance is generally transparent and texture is similar to water.
The habit of skincare using Face Lotion seems to have been spread among people in the Edo-period. Initially, it was oil which had primer function for long-lasting makeup, however it changed to a watery lotion because people in Japan preferred light and mat texture due to the humid environment. Such a widespread preference continues even now, and has created lots of skincare products which have a water-based formula. Currently this traditional item is getting attention among Western beauty industries changing its position to”Essence Toner” or “Serum Toner” as a symbol of J-Beauty.
“Water” Culture Brings Double Cleansing Rituals
As mentioned above, Water is the most important keyword in the Japanese skincare culture. Geographically there are rich water resources obtained by rivers, oceans and forests. Additionally there are volcanic resources, and these have brought us our bath culture like “Onsen”. Since most Japanese people take a long bath time every day, skincare rituals are a part of that time. We all remove makeup, cleanse and refresh our skin during bath time through the use of “rinse-off” products. This is the “Double-cleanse routine”, oriented from J-Beauty.
*1 POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture / Nov. 2017
Facelabo Co., Ltd.
President
Kenta Asahina
How many years have you been researching and manufacturing cosmetics?
Our factory was completed in 2002, so it's 18 years by now.What’s the most important thing when creating products?
Our job is to manifest products from the ideas sketched out by our customers, who are a brand holders of cosmetics and health food brands, so the most important thing is to understand and embody what the customer is thinking.What is the common thread that has run through Facelabo since the beginning?
"Integration of Spirit and Technique" is the philosophy of all our Group companies, It means, we use our skills to embody what’s in people’s heart, then create our value.As you create a product, what expression or voice do you imagine for the customers who use it?
We imagine our customers saying, delightedly, "That was great, I'll use it again", and that's what we aspire to as we create things. We are happy if our customers feel more affluent because they use the cosmetics and health foods we make.What is Facelabo’s greatest strength?
We can develop and manufacture both cosmetics and health foods. We aspire to be a company that can offer health and beauty that come from within the body and from outside it.We will publicize Japanese beauty around the world, including America, the Middle East, and Asia. We make everyone in the world beautiful and healthy. We respond to the customer’s needs with our technology and heart. We are determined to show the world, little by little, the nature of Japanese beauty.
