Have you ever noticed how flawless a Japanese woman’s skin appears? Incorporate the secrets of Japanese skin care into your product line with these ingredients – and explore those you have not heard of yet – when talking with your suppliers.
The essential Japanese cosmetic ingredients
Before we take a look at some of the newer and exotic Japanese cosmetic ingredient launches, lets take a look at the ingredients most commonly used and promoted in Japanese skincare ranges.
If you want to incorporate Japanese skincare know-how into your cosmetic formulas, you’ll need at least a few of these in various products so your consumers are confident in your product range and Japanese cosmetic ingredient knowledge.
- Camellia (Tsubaki) oil – rich in antioxidants and omega-9 fatty acids, it has a beautifully light, non-greasy skin feel making it perfect in all types of emulsions, serums and even cleansing oils.
- Green tea extract – long heralded for its antioxidant properties, green tea extract is an essential ingredient in any Japanese inspired skincare range, and suits all water-based products.
- Hinoki oil – used mainly for its refreshing scent, it also has anti-inflammatory benefits. It can be added to enhance the aroma of most types of cosmetic formulas.
- Rice bran oil – naturally rich in squalene, this light-skin feel oil is a mainstay in a variety of skincare formulas for its reparative benefits to the skin.
- Wakame kelp extract – another antioxidant rich ingredient, it is also incredibly hydrating; the extract is ideal to use in all water based leave on skincare products for an extra burst of long-last moisture.
- Yuzu seed – both the oil form and extract form are highly regarded for their antioxidant, skin renewal and even whitening benefits. Because it can be obtained in both water based extract and oil forms, it can be added to just about any type of cosmetic formula.
And while they don’t originate from Japan, you’ll find hyaluronic acid and collagen in most cosmetic formulas for their supportive, hydrating and suppleness boosting benefits.
Read how to choose the best hyaluronic acid for your cosmetic formulas in this blog; and all about protein, peptides and collagen in cosmetic formulas with this video.
Some exciting Japanese cosmetic ingredients you may not have heard of…
One of the great things about Japanese skincare formulations is they are not afraid to harness the benefits of more traditional ingredients whilst combining them with newer research and technologies.
Below are some fantastic Japanese inspired ingredients your cosmetic formulas may benefit from.
- Cherry blossom (Sakura) extract – as beautiful and delicate as the flower, that’s exactly what the extract can do for the skin; it’s heralded for its soothing and moisturising properties. Being water based it is ideal in a variety of serum and emulsion based skincare.
- Hydrolyzed egg shell membrane – a water soluble cosmetic ingredient with evidence that it promotes type III collagen to restore suppleness to the skin; it is ideal in anti-ageing serums and emulsions.
- Placental protein – placental protein is a highly purified animal derived cosmetic active that is rich in biomimetic amino acids to whiten the skin and support skin renewal. It is also reputed to be soothing and hydrating.
- Pueraria lobata extract – available from a few different suppliers with obviously different extraction techniques, this plant extract is reputed to have whitening and skin firming benefits ideal for serum and emulsion based products.
- Rosa rugosa stem cells – advanced stem cell biotechnology harnessing the key benefits of the Japanese wildrose. These stem cells are reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits for anti-pollution and skin rejuvenation. It can also brighten and whiten the skin whilst restoring hydration.
If you are new to using traditional extracts in skincare formulas, read this blog for essential tips on how to choose and use herbal extracts in cosmetic formulas.
Japanese skincare goes beyond the cosmetic ingredients
Feeling inspired by these Japanese ingredients? Well, great Japanese skincare formulas go beyond just the ingredients they use, it is also the product form and range that is important.
- Cleansing oils are commonly used as a gentle make-up remover, followed by a crème or extremely low foaming cleanser. Watch how to make cleansing oils and balms in this video, and oil-to-milk cleansers in this video.
- Crème-gels are the favoured form of moisturiser, compared to the heavier creams used in the West. Japanese skincare goals are all about non-greasy hydration whilst delivering key actives, so you’ll find their skincare exceptionally light with a long-lasting moisturising skin feel. Learn the key ingredients, and how to formulate crème-gels with this video.
- Serums and eye creams are common add ons – Japanese skincare regimes often use a multi-product, layered approach similar to K-beauty. Find out how to formulate non-greasy face serums in this video.
- Encapsulates and eye-catching product forms are also favoured, especially in serum and highly active skincare. Get innovative cosmetic formula inspiration from these videos: butter-in-gel formula; how to make your own encapsulates and how to make natural encapsulates.
And remember the key Japanese cosmetic formulation concept of working in harmony with the skin to soothe and hydrate for a wholistic approach to your Japanese inspired range.
Make sure you investigate these actives, and the functional ingredients used to create Japanese inspired product forms, with your supplier. These materials not only make great product stories but also provide fantastic results for women in all parts of the world.
Happy formulating!
Want to find out more about Japanese ingredients? 2023 is Japan Country Focus at in-cosmetics Korea! Find out more and register to visit the show in Seoul on 12 – 14 July 2023.
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