Japaralia August Vol. 23

English translation by Perplexity beolow

No. 23: 100% Non-Toxic Skin Care That Really Works

I’ve shared my views on this before, but sometimes people use or consume things that aren’t actually good for the human body. People do this for different reasons—sometimes to enjoy life, or sometimes to fight spots or cancer, and so on. In recent years, holistic options like natural and organic products have been getting more attention. But even if something is good for the body, it may not always yield good results depending on your skin’s condition. But what if there was a highly effective, simple skincare product that uses nothing harmful at all?

The skincare brand I’m introducing today, Epicutis, was co-founded by Dr. Stock, who spent twelve years studying and developing it using natural ingredients like plants. The formula was developed by Masanori Tamura, a graduate of Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, who formulated Hada Labo at Rohto Pharmaceutical in Japan. Tamura, who is known as “the magician of hyaluronic acid,” created Epicutis, an American skincare brand with a Japanese-formulated base.

Putting aside my own background as a Japanese person, I’ve studied and tried many types of skincare. Of all of them, two really impressed me: collagen skincare & supplements (which I’ve been carrying since last year), and Epicutis. First, I always check the efficacy, ingredients, their absorption rate, and safety through data, and then I try the products myself. Epicutis impressed me both on paper (“Wow!”) and in actual use (“Wow!” again). Before it was even available in Australia, I was lucky enough to encounter this skincare through a professional acquaintance. The more I learned, the more excited I got—there were so many good things about it that I honestly don’t know what to mention first.

In the US, Epicutis is certified by EWG—the Environmental Working Group—which is currently making headlines. EWG is a nonprofit that works to raise the quality of personal care products and inform consumers about potential risks from harmful ingredients or formulations. Through their product safety ratings, they’ve built a searchable database so people can check safety information before making purchases and protect their health. (www.ewg.org/skindeep)

There are many points that impressed me, but this product focuses on the overall health of the skin. Regardless of skin type or condition, it strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, protecting and improving the skin by guarding against external irritants that can cause problems. Put simply, when exposed to external irritants like UV rays, dryness, or germs, the skin gets inflamed. For example, with hyperpigmentation (sun spots), inflammation can activate melanocytes and promote melanin production, which causes spots. For people with melasma, if their skin is easily irritated, it’s very hard for their melasma to improve. Even without melasma, skin treatments that intentionally damage the skin to promote healing will cause inflammation. The way you care for your skin after such treatments greatly affects the speed and results of improvement.

After years in this field, I always wrestle with the dilemma of balancing spot treatments. Because everyone’s skin is different, I need to get to know every new client’s skin from scratch. Unlike freckles, which become smooth if only the pigment is removed, age spots with underlying tissue changes need to be removed together with that tissue, which means injuring the skin, and thus inflammation occurs. Individual responses differ, but in many cases, this inflammation activates melanocytes, which produce melanin and temporarily darken the treated area. On the other hand, a certain degree of “redness” from inflammation can help promote collagen production. How well you control inflammation after treatment really affects how quickly you see results. Of course, I already provide topical ointments for use after treatment, but adding Epicutis helps the healing process go even more smoothly. Because it also protects the skin from enzymes that break down collagen, it’s perfect for collagen users as well. By reducing inflammation and boosting the skin’s defenses, Epicutis works wonders for both acne-prone and red, sensitive skin—and it can even be used on ultra-sensitive (dry) skin. And unlike some brands, the same simple system improves skin for all types and conditions; you don’t have to buy a special one for each skin type. There really aren’t many products like this out there.

Epicutis also contains a patented ingredient called TSC, which you cannot find anywhere else. All the ingredients are sourced only from specific locations to guarantee consistent quality. (Apparently, the same ingredient from different suppliers can have subtle variations.)

Can you see why I’m so excited about this? There are still more amazing things about Epicutis, but since there isn’t enough space this month, I’ll tell you more when I get the chance!