Brand Battle

Japanese cosmetic brands are very diverse. Hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of brands offer care for any budget and any “wants.” With all this, one can be sure that the approach to quality is the same for all – the highest! However, the compositions and, accordingly, the effects are different. Therefore, when I sometimes hear women say, “Shiseido?… oh no, it didn’t suit my skin at all,” I always remain puzzled… what exactly from “Shiseido”????? After all, this manufacturer offers more than 20 brands!!! And, for example, a very simple product from the mass-market line is hardly comparable to the innovative ones from the premium segment, even though both packages will bear the same “Shiseido”…

Let’s try to figure out who is who in the Japanese cosmetics market with the help of charts (see below). The main giants – Japanese manufacturing brands: Shiseido, KAO, and KOSE. I call them the “Three Whales.” Each of them has dozens of brands (both basic care and decorative cosmetics lines) in segments from mass-market to luxury.

The charts display the most well-known brands of manufacturers, and of course, there are many more.

In addition to these globally recognized manufacturers, there are other Japanese brands that are quite worthy of our attention (those that I and my acquaintances have tried and were satisfied with):

• Pharmaceutical Corporations

For example: Rohto – produces my favorite Obagi product line (mid-price segment). Also the budget-friendly HadaLabo. Both of these names are already well known in Russia. They also produce Acnes – care for problem skin (I really love their spot treatment cream for acne).

SebaMed – yes, yes, this brand also belongs to a Japanese corporation, although it was originally German. “SebaMed” produces lines for the care of children’s and adult problem and sensitive skin. I can’t say anything about their products, as I have never used them myself, unfortunately. I need to try. I have only seen boxes with this name on the shelves of children’s stores in Vladivostok (Bubble-Gum, Happy Childhood). If anyone has tried, please share your impressions.

OBAGI – http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=obagi

HADA LABO – http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=hada-labo

ACNES – http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=acnes

Kobayashi

In addition to a large number of dietary supplements and various food additives, they also produce basic cosmetics.

• “Veterans” of Exclusive Japanese Luxury

Such Japanese manufacturing brands are sold only in their own salons or mono boutiques, for example:

Menard

Today, this manufacturing brand offers not only basic and decorative cosmetics but also body and hair care, basic cosmetics for men, perfumes, cosmetic accessories, dietary supplements, and teas. Recently, they have also started offering underwear and clothing. Menard also has a completely “magical” hotel-sanatorium Aoyama Resort with onsens and a spa, located in a beautiful place.

The care presented on AZIMKA: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=menard

Shu Uemura

The very Shu Uemura, who first introduced us to cleansing oil in the Asian market. They produce both decorative cosmetics and basic care.

Exclusive Japanese luxury, which has appeared relatively recently but has already won the hearts of many:

Three

Founded in 2009 – very popular among Japanese women. They produce organic skincare for men and women for the face, body, and hair. And of course, there are decorative lines as well.

RMK

Famous for its decorative cosmetics, but also produces basic skincare.

• Former Network Companies

Manufacturers Fancl, DHC, with wide ranges of dietary supplements, basic skincare, and decorative cosmetics;

Brand Fancl – http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=fancl

• Professional Care

Available only in Japanese beauty salons or on manufacturers’ websites, for example:

Direia  

Anti-aging care line, innovative technologies using human stem cells.

To learn more and purchase Direia products, you can do so here: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=direia

Ampleur

Mid-price segment, they produce two lines of facial care: whitening Ampleur Luxury White and anti-aging Ampleur Luxury De-Age.

The active ingredients in Ampleur Luxury White are a derivative form of hydroquinone (arbutin) and vitamin C. The care aims to suppress the production of melanin pigment and lighten the overall skin tone.

Ampleur Luxury De-Age – helps slow down the aging process. It helps restore skin elasticity and a clear V-shaped contour of the face. Supports and strengthens the muscle framework. The products contain lifting components: EGF (epidermal growth factors), plant stem cells, peptide complex, DMAE.

Ampleur also produces hair care. The range of Ampleur presented in our shop: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?s=ampleur&post_type=product&filter_brand=ampleur

Wove Style

The care fights pigmentation and all the “delights” of problem skin. The care contains a derivative of hydroquinone (arbutin), retinol, and vitamin C. Wove Style products help eliminate acne and, importantly, their consequences, lighten pigmentation spots, and even out the overall skin tone.

You can purchase the Wove Style care line here: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=wove-style

AXZIA N2 Axel

A line of professional care based on the latest component NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) — belongs to the B3 vitamin group, is an innovation in the field of medicine and cosmetology.

More details here: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=n2axel

Koh To Ka

A fairly budget-friendly line of professional anti-aging care. The cosmetic products are aimed at facial skin care against the effect of glycation*. Glycation or sugarization is the interaction of sugars with proteins, a process that leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products.

I recommend it for those with dry and very dry skin.

For Koh To Ka care, go here: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?s=koh+to+ka&post_type=product&filter_brand=koh-to-ka

La Sincere

Another interesting brand. The manufacturer offers several lines for home and professional care. Each of them is aimed at solving specific facial skin problems: enlarged pores, age-related changes, dryness, lack of nutrition, pigmentation, and couperose.

I love their serum-concentrates, they are convenient to mix for specific skin problems. And I always have their ceramide lip balm in my cosmetic bag. I like how it quickly helps deal with dryness and chapped lips.

The entire range of La Sincia is here: http://azimka.shop/catalog/?filter_brand=la-sincia

• numerous OEM manufacturers that sell not finished cosmetics, but technologies or formulas, and anyone can buy them, package them, give their brand, and sell them wherever they want.

It is clear that this is far from an exhaustive list of Japanese care; if you have experience using anything, please share your impressions?