Discovering Beautiens — by Yakult
Yakult, my favorite fermented probiotic drink, was consumed from a glass bottle before it was placed in plastic containers in 1968. These glass bottles were hand washed before being used again. The women who washed these bottles daily noticed their hands became softer and smoother despite washing with soap for hours. Research commenced and Yakult’s cosmetics line, Beautiens, was born.
Beautiens focuses on initiatives that disseminate the value of their proprietary moisturizing agent S.E. or Shirota Essence, named after Yakult founder Minoru Shirota. By exploring the potential uses of probiotics, Yakult has developed quite a number of original moisturizing ingredients derived from lactic acid bacteria. These ingredients are incorporated into Yakult’s high-quality cosmetics, providing products that can help to protect the beauty of skin. There are no live bacteria in their cosmetics though, just ingredients derived from them.
It is said that Yakult produces cosmetics because, “It follows inner and outer beauty philosophy.” I was able to experience these cosmetics at the Yakult Shonan Cosmetics Plant in Kanagawa, south of Tokyo, dedicated to producing liquid cosmetics. They manufacture their products under strict hygiene control and always make sure the production line is functioning perfectly. The machines are disassembled daily after production and are cleaned and sterilized for two hours. From production to shipment, the cosmetics go through over 150 inspections.
I only recently discovered Yakult Beautiens on a recent trip to Japan. They have four cosmetic lines… and contrary to what people may perceive, these cosmetics are quite pricey! The entry level is Lactdew, a skincare line that uses lactic acid to improve skin texture. This line’s popular products include oil-based cleansers, cleansing foam, and face milk. Revecy is their most popular line and has cleansers and moisturizers in three types — oil, cream, or milk! Revecy White has the same benefits as Revecy, but has the brightening function. Slightly pricier than Revecy, this line includes medicated moisturizing foam, a clay pack, and a daytime emulsion with SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
Parabio is their most premium line since it integrates anti-aging into the formula. This includes the Parabio AC (Aging Care) Cream Rhino, a moisturizing cream that boosts the skin’s natural hydration properties, prevents blemishes, reduces signs of skin aging, and promotes firmness. The amazing Parabio AC Cleansing cream-type cleanser melts into the skin, dissolves makeup, and removes impurities.
Each of us had our skin’s moisture level checked by a moisture level meter indicator. Any score below 46 is dry. Anything over 55 means skin is sufficiently moisturized. I was pleased that mine was 63. Another bonus at the plant was being able to try Brilliant (The Cream), Yakult Beautiens’ most expensive product. This 50-gram bottle combines all of the company’s cosmetic technologies and highest-end ingredients and costs 110,000 yen, roughly P43,000.
In this factory, the soap used everywhere is Yakult’s PoshMama line. I really loved this affordable line that I got several hand cream lotion and hand gel lotion to give to some of my close friends. I even bought Yakult toothpaste, which I have yet to try!
So how do you get your hands on these Yakult Beautiens products? Japan has over 32,000 Yakult Ladies roaming around and you can stop one of them and buy from them in case they have any stock with them. If not, they can direct you to a Yakult Sales Center and these locations can be found on Google (just type “Yakult sales center Tokyo”). Have it bought for you if you know of someone going to Japan; Filipinos love going to Japan often and you’re bound to have a friend who will be there soon. These are the only options we have now until Yakult decides to bring their amazing cosmetic line to the Philippines. I bought some of these at the plant so my mother has her stock already.
I am begging Yakult Japan to bring this to the Philippines soon! Their cosmetics have quite a following outside Japan and would certainly do well in our country!
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