Glowy skin and healthy hair are in your future.
Japan has some of the oldest beauty traditions in the world, spanning more than 3,000 years. And while Japanese beauty is globally renowned for the rituals of the geisha, there has been comparatively little focus given to the daily practices of the modern Japanese woman. But through the globalization of the beauty market, Japanese beauty (or J-beauty, as its commonly known) is finally getting its moment in the beauty spotlight for its skin-care products that deliver undeniable results.
Many products have already gained cult status, like eyelash curlers from Shu Uemura and SK-IIs face masks. But the ingredients that have made Japanese beauty products global powerhouses are also gaining popularity among American beauty brands and wellness spaces, from tsubaki oil to shiso, and are quickly becoming the most sought-after new products on the market.
The Asia region has long been considered the center of beauty innovation, states SCAD associate chair of The Business of Beauty and Fragrance Meloney Moore. Beauty rituals in Asia have as many as 13 steps and they can change seasonally. The Asian consumer has a deep psychological relationship to beauty. Moore reminds us that Korean beauty was really the first to reach Western culture in a major way, via products like BB creams, fun, colorful packaging, and sheet masks.
But with Western consumers focusing more on ingredients over the last five or so years, beauty lovers are now researching the origin stories of their favorite products, as well as demanding transparency from their new ones. And few countries have as stellar a reputation and history of ingredient innovation than Japan. Japan is where most Asian people go for efficacious and transformative beauty products, Moore reveals. I believe J-beauty successfully signifies quality because its backed by a rich and meticulous culture, advanced formulation techniques, and powerful ingredients stories. This is very appealing to the younger generation.
J-beautys influence is real, and all manner of beauty brands cant help but be inspired, from buzzy newcomers to drugstore favorites. Here, six classic Japanese ingredients that have entered the beauty mainstream, what they can do for your hair and skin, and our go-to products.
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Known as komenuka, the outer layer of the rice grain is brimming with antioxidants like gamma oryzanol, which deeply penetrates the skin, inositol, several B-spectrum vitamins, vitamin E, ferulic, linoleic, and oleic acids, proanthocyanidinswhich support collagen and elastinsqualene, and nourishing proteins. Rice bran is used in many ways and carries multiple benefits for the body, hair, and skin, states skin therapist Samantha Mims. Its high content in antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, squalane, and rich fatty acids contribute to scalp stimulation. Its effects on the hair are related to stronger and healthier hair.
In skin care, rice bran has anti-aging properties that work to regenerate the skin by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and evening out the skins complexion. Mims recommends incorporating products with it into your fall and winter routines as it helps to efficiently hydrate skin. Its also non-comedogenic and can be used as a gentle makeup remover.
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When Canadian sustainable beauty brand Stevie Fox launched in March of this year, it decided to place rice bran center stage in its hero product, the glow-boosting Bondi Babe Oil. Rice-bran oil is a super sustainable oilperhaps the ultimate in sustainability, given its benefitsbeing upcycled from the waste product of the rice industry, so we were immediately drawn to it, founder Lisa Cherry tells Coveteur. We were also drawn to its skin powers as it does so much to achieve that glow from within so easily, quickly, and effectively. Stevie Fox harvests their rice bran domestically in Canada to help keep their carbon footprint low, given the physical distance at play in shipping the ingredient from Japan.
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$48
Natural skin-care brand Anokha incorporates rice bran into their cleansing oil because of its anti-inflammatory effects, how it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any residue, and the fact that its an ingredient gentle enough to be used on babies, according to founder Nina S. Naidu, MD, FACS. Japanese beauty is refined, elevated, and simpleall things that speak to Anokha, she states. While our first incarnation focused heavily on South Asian ingredients, I wanted to be more global in both our outlook and sourcing, and the Japanese aesthetic very naturally spoke to us when we rebranded in 2019.
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$68
The traditional Japanese approach to beauty is a holistic one, especially as it relates to ingredients, states Tatcha CMO Sarah Curtis Henry. It embodies the philosophy that whats good for the body is good for the skin. Tatcha uses rice bran in over a dozen of its products. This cream is one of its bestsellers worldwide, hydrating and plumping the skin and delivering a healthy glow.
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Known as Camellia Japonica, this winter-blooming flower is essential to Japanese beauty. Its seed breaks down into lightweight yet deeply moisturizing oil when cold-pressed. Geishas would use the oil to remove their elaborate makeup and restore their skin.
Though called Japanese camellia, the flower also grows in mainland China, southern Korea, and Taiwan, as well as in southern Japan. It is also the state flower of Alabama in the United States, truly speaking to its global influence. Tsubaki is a testament to how nature continues to sprout even when man-made borders change.
Tsubaki is a great oil rich in fatty [acids] as well as vitamins A, D, Egreat for hydration and overall repair, says Dr. Sheila Farhang, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics. I think this oil is particularly great for nail cuticles as well as hair. Its antifungal properties can also be used to prevent dandruff, though I always recommend seeing a dermatologist for scalp symptoms.
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A longtime fan of Japanese beauty and fashion (which is documented on both her Instagram feed and TV show), its no surprise that Kim Kardashian would rely on this ancient Japanese ingredient for one of her latest body products. Lightweight and meant for extended wear, the tsubaki oil in the powder complements the hyaluronic acid and strawberry-seed oil for ample hydration and a skin-perfecting finish.
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$110
MUTHA founder Hope Smith discovered a slew of Japanese ingredients on a trip she took to Japan, and the rest was history. Tsubaki oil is a rare ingredient found in skin care because it is very expensive, but its such a skin superfood that we felt it was necessary to add into our oil, she explains. Though Smiths personal discovery of tsubaki oil was in Japan, MUTHA harvests it primarily from Jeju Island in South Korea. The Jeju Island is such a pure place with fresh air, fertile soil, and pure water that creates the cleanest environment for ingredients, she affirms. The soil is rich in iron oxide and organic matters, and the volcanic island itself functions as a natural filter. For such reasons, Jeju was the best place from which to gain good ingredients.
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$40
Hair-care brand Crown Affair harvests its tsubaki oil from Japan, where CEO Dianna Cohen fell in love with the country and its beauty ethos after her own trip there. Tsubaki has been used there for centuries because of its ability to retain moisture and penetrate the deepest layer of both the skin and hair, she explains. Its filled with proteins and oleic acids, which keep the hair healthy and strong, and its remarkable for restoring moisture while still being weightless, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve for both The Oil and The Renewal Mask.
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This citrus fruit is cultivated and harvested in Japan but grows in the wild in central China and Tibet, as well. Brimming with vitamin C, it helps to thoroughly cleanse your skin and flush your body from the inside out, while its bright and crisp fragrance helps to invigorate and refresh. It is customary to add yuzu to your bath in Japan on the winter solstice to soak away impurities and calm you for the season ahead.
Mims explains that yuzu oil is great as an antioxidant serum for brightening hyperpigmentation and combating dryness. In addition, for the body, it supports respiratory health and can alleviate stress and anxiety. All the reasons why it is widely used in aromatherapy.
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Globally renowned Japanese-founded skin-care brand Bior just launched an entire line of products fortified with yuzu lemon to brighten and balance the skin, including this cleanser. The term brightening is coming under fire as having potential links to a racist approach to skin care, as many wonder if deeper and richer skin can actually be brightened and whether that is both the right word and goal. But the product does create a smooth, healthy foundation for the rest of your routine.
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$46
This daily hydrating, oil-based serum was created using the ancient method of sun infusion, which releases the yuzu peels nutrients over a period of four to six months. Also infused with 24-karat gold, myrrh, and frankincense essential oils, the serum helps to improve your skins elasticity and boost collagen production.
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$20
Taking the bath experience to a whole new level, this body-wash-infused buffer uses yuzu extract to help cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin. Its aromatherapeutic scent includes notes of cinnamon, tobacco flower, and musk.
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A botanical native to East Asia, rosa rubiginosa, aka Japanese wild rose, has been cultivated throughout the centuries for its medicinal benefits. It has been traditionally used in Eastern medicine to treat wounds in poultice form, as well as in tea made from its dried petals to detoxify, relieve headaches, and improve circulation.
After the Japanese wild rose flowers bloom, the flowers produce rose hips, which are a natural source of essential fatty acids, rich in flavonoids, tannins, and vitamins A, C, and E.
Japanese wild rose has been one of my favorite ingredients to date, as it is known for its natural antiseptic qualities along with its hydrating and soothing components, states Mims. It seems to be ideal for sensitive and maturing skin. Its also good for immunity health as another excellent source of vitamin C. When used in hair products, it strengthens and promotes healthy, moisturized hair.
$56
Sitting atop the lists of anyone who loves clean beauty, this hydrating cream blush delivers a gorgeous pop of color through rosa rubiginosa, along with castor seed oil, beeswax, and Gardenia Florida fruit extract. It comes in almost a dozen colors for the perfect flush for every skin tone.
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$132
The OG of clean beauty brands, Tata Harpers lightweight face oil serves up radiance and combats aging after just one use. Its multi-purpose and truly gives you the most bang for your buck, as it can be used nightly for a deeply moisturizing treatment and on your cuticles for softer nail beds and hands.
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$60
One of the hallmarks of todays clean beauty products is making sure theyre multi-purpose, which helps consumers do more with less and helps reduce time spent on their routines. This cult-favorite balm can be used as a cleanser, makeup remover, highlighter, or a face mask. It also comes with an organic muslin cloth for gentle exfoliation.
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A sacred tree in Japanese culture, hinoki is used to construct many Shinto shrines and temples in Japan. Its wood is not only antimicrobial, but its oil is an eco-conscious form of insect repellent. The powerful scent is commonly used in aromatherapy to promote a sense of relaxation. But we must note that hinoki is on the edge of becoming an endangered species, so its imperative that a brand discloses whether the oil or the wood itself is sustainably distilled, whether in their products or if theyre using it as a construction material at a spa.
Dr. Farhang sees hinoki used mainly in fragrance forms in cosmetics, soap, and toothpaste due to its olfactory benefits such as reducing anxiety and calming down the central nervous system. But of it and other essential oils, she warns, They are notorious for causing allergic contact dermatitis in people that are sensitive to them, so I would spot-treat an area before using products with these oils in them. She continues, If there is no sensitivity, a lot of these oils are antioxidant, hydrating, and antibacterial. As plant-based goes more mainstream, we will be seeing more of these ingredients.
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Sensing a pattern with Kim Kardashian and traditional Japanese beauty ingredients? The mogul features creamy hinoki wood in this fall-perfect scents dry-down because you can still spritz on fragrance even if youre spending most of your time at home.
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$27
Drawing inspiration from the Buddhist temples of Mount Koya, this scented shower gel instantly transports you to the forest full of Hinoki trees if you close your eyes and breathe in. Its phthalate-free, paraben-free, planted-based formula also features toning rosemary leaf, hydrating sesame oil, and antioxidant-rich sunflower oil for a transformative shower experience.
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$50
We all know about Marie Kondos joy-sparking cleaning rituals, but the Japanese KonMari Method founder also likes to purify her home and unwind at the end of the day by diffusing essential oils. To invite relaxation, you can use this oil in a diffuser to calm and soothe.
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Translating to English as young cloth, wakame is a sea vegetable full of broad-spectrum minerals and vitamins. It aids the nervous system, boosts hair and skin health, and helps digestion. It is also known for detoxing the body of impurities and harmful chemicals due to its high quantity of alginic acid. Wakame is obtained from a [type of] seaweed, which is a great antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, states Dr. Farhang. It is specifically known for its high B-vitamin group such as vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide.
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Thirty-six botanical and green biotechnological actives are used to create this intense treatment mask. Wakame helps it protect the skin from free radicals and pollution while seaweed, algae, and plankton deeply hydrate and restore the skin.
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$115 $92
If youre looking for smooth, firm skin, look no further than this serum. It can be used morning and evening after cleansing for a rejuvenated complexion, as well as after microdermabrasion, a chemical peel, or an exfoliation treatment to help smooth the skin and alleviate hyperpigmentation.
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$69
The added stress of the pandemic is definitely showing up on our skin, which is more inflamed than normal. This cream helps rescue and heal your skin by calming inflammation, hydrating, and reducing redness.
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See the article here:
The Most Beneficial Japanese Beauty Ingredients for Your Skin and Hair - Coveteur
Recommendation and review posted by G. Smith
