Note: This post is a re-publishing of my original article featured in the Philippine Star newspaper's April 20, 2016 issue in the Fashion & Beauty section. For an online archive of all my articles, please click here.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living in Japan for the past year, it’s that skincare is serious business. That’s not surprising considering that stepping into almost any regular drugstore in Tokyo means you’re faced with hundreds of options for practically every skin woe you may have. It can be a tad overwhelming, to say the least. To your average Japanese woman, it’s not just about having good skin. No, it’s about skin that’s smooth, supple, and virtually free of imperfections such as large, visible pores and dry patches. Skin shouldn’t only be “good” — it should be exquisite.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living in Japan for the past year, it’s that skincare is serious business. That’s not surprising considering that stepping into almost any regular drugstore in Tokyo means you’re faced with hundreds of options for practically every skin woe you may have. It can be a tad overwhelming, to say the least. To your average Japanese woman, it’s not just about having good skin. No, it’s about skin that’s smooth, supple, and virtually free of imperfections such as large, visible pores and dry patches. Skin shouldn’t only be “good” — it should be exquisite.
Kanebo, a pioneering force that’s been in the beauty sphere for more than a hundred years, knows exactly what exquisite skin is all about. With more than a few globally recognized brands under its belt that includes Kate, Freshel, and Lunasol, Kanebo is more than well versed in knowing what women both need and want when it comes to their skin. A multitude of Kanebo products, both of the skincare and cosmetic variety, have been rightfully coveted over the years, but one product in particular ended up making quite the impression and has been a staple in many women’s skincare regimens for the past decade.
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| Kanebo's Impress Lotion II (image credit) |
Part of Kanebo’s luxe skincare line, Impress Lotion, which comes in two variants, has been favored to the point that hoarding it is common among longtime customers. I know the term “lotion” has garnered more than a few confused looks from some of you, so allow me to explain. In the realm of Japanese skincare, face lotions are what’s more commonly referred to as toners or softeners. They’re meant to hydrate and prep the face, by means of softening it, for the rest of your morning or nightly skincare regimen. That’s what Impress’ most coveted lotion is all about, thanks to its ability to soften and provide essential moisture to the skin. The result is skin that Kanebo likes to describe as “resilient and succulent.”