The power of materials

Detergent. The fatty acids in natural oils and fats are combined with sodium caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to form soap (sodium fatty acid). Soap made by the kettle burning method, in which caustic soda is added to natural oils and fats, contains glycerin, a natural moisturizing ingredient, so it does not leave the skin feeling tight after washing. The process of neutralizing fatty acids by adding caustic soda to them is also used. Matsuyama Yushi carefully selects and combines vegetable oils such as coconut oil and palm oil, plant-derived fatty acids, and beef tallow, which has a high melting point and produces a creamy foam suitable for soap, as raw materials for soap base. The manufacturing process, types of fatty acids, and amounts of the fatty acids are adjusted to create the soap base according to the detergency and foam quality required for the soap to be used.

Cleaning agents. This refers to potassium soaps (fatty acid potassium) that bring together the fatty acid found in natural fats and oils with the potassium found in caustic potash (potassium hydroxide). Unlike ordinary soap base, we retain all of the glycerin, a natural moisturizing ingredient, rather than salting it out. Matsuyama uses the "pot boiling method" to slowly cook palm kernel oil and safflower oil. The resulting soaps provide rich foam, high degrees of cleansing power, and easy rinsing for a pleasing finish.

This refers to amino acid soap, a cleaning agent. These soaps are known for their rich foam and clean, refreshing finish. The combination of sodium soap and potassium soap leverages the irritation-reduction effects of arginine to make washing more comfortable and relaxing. Arginine, an amino acid derived from fermented starch, reacts with the fatty acids found in coconut oil to produce the soap.

The Japanese honeysuckle is an evergreen vine that grows wild throughout the country. It is sometimes referred to as "Nindo (Survives Winter)" because it does not wither even in the coldest months. The leaves and stalks are sources of saponin, tannin and flavonoid. Saponin aids in foaming because it has an affinity with both water and oil, playing the role of a surfactant.

This extract is derived from peach juice that has been fermented with yeast. The raw material peaches come from fruit that would otherwise be discarded because it has been damaged during processing or is overripe and cannot be shipped. The entire process takes place in our Fuji Hokuroku Laboratory in Yamanashi, where we extract the juice, ferment it, and then create the extract. The extraction is able to lock in the moisture found in the cornified layer; it consists primarily of polysaccharides, which are chains of monosaccharides (mannose, galactose, glucuronic acid) that have low molecular weights and quickly permeate the skin. They work synergistically with other moisturizing ingredients to increase skin moisture. Peaches can often be a source of allergenic reactions, so we use heat and pressure processing at the fermentation stage to inactivate the proteins that become allergens.

We use sudachi from Tokushima, the largest producer of the fruit in Japan. Our raw material is the sudachi skin that remains after juice extraction and would ordinarily be discarded. We have our own proprietary process for slowly producing sudachi peel extract over a long period of time, and the resulting ingredient has excellent moisturizing effects. It helps to maintain the barrier functions already found in the skin by assisting it in bringing water to the cornified layer and maintaining moisture.

Amino acid is a component of protein, one of the three primary categories of nutrient. It is the primary ingredient in natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that works to maintain the moisture in the skin's cornified layer, accounting for roughly 40% of the total. NMF declines as a result of ultraviolet radiation, other external irritation, and aging, causing the skin to become dry and lose suppleness. M Mark
Amino Acid Skincare Series is formulated with nine different kinds of amino acid and amino acid metabolite.

An ingredient containing cuticle intercellular lipid found in the cornified layer of the skin. Accounts for 40-60% of the total. Aids the skin's barrier functions by maintaining moisture within the cornified layer. At Matsuyama, we use "human ceramide" which is close in its structure to the ceramide found in the skin and excellent at delivering moisturization.

The sap of the wild grape that is native to Japan. Contains more amino acid and saccharide than conventional grape sap to better maintain skin moisture. Sap is a source of nutrients used during springtime budding. This is a valuable ingredient that is harvested during the first two weeks of spring only in the amounts required so as not to unduly stress plants.

A plant well-known as a folk remedy since ancient times. The extract is produced by removing aloin from the juice of the aloe leaf. It contains viscous polysaccharides that provide high levels of moisturizing power.

Polysaccharide derived from white jelly fungus, a variety of mushroom. With 1.2-times the moisturizing power of hyaluronate Na, it locks in the moisture and protects the surface of the skin. This ingredient assists the barrier functions by maintaining the moisture of the cornified layer and protecting the skin from dryness.

A member of the vitamin B family found in many plants and animals and necessary to promote cell growth. It is derived from rice. Processing involves the hydrolysis of phytic acid. In addition to moisturization, it also works to regulate sebum volume.

Plant oil extracted from the fruit of the olive. Its primary ingredient is oleic acid, and it contains rich amounts of polyphenol and squalene, both useful to the skin. It prevents the transpiration of moisture from the skin's cornified layer, and it offers a moist use feel.

Liquid wax obtained from the jojoba tree. Contains ingredients similar to the wax ester found in sebum, and offers excellent oxidation stability compared to other plant-derived oils and fats. Known for its clean skin feel, it easily penetrates the skin to assist the sebaceous glands.

Solid oil and fat obtained from shea seeds. Emollient ingredient that is rich in oleic acid and stearic acid and protects the skin's moisture. With a low melting point of around 35℃, it liquefies at body temperature, giving it excellent skin penetration. Matsuyama uses varieties of shea butter with different melting points according to the requirements of specific items.

An oil derived from rice bran with an excellent balance of unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. Containing tocopherol, phytosterol, and also γ-oryzanol, an ingredient unique to rice oil, it protects the skin and helps maintain softness.

Plant oil pressed from macadamia nuts. Approximately 20% palmitoleic acid, a substance found in sebum that declines as the body ages. With a non-sticky skin feel, it assists the sebaceous glands in preventing rough, dry skin.

An extract from the skin of the yuko, a perfumed citrus that is cultivated in the mountainous areas of Tokushima. We use the skins that remain and would otherwise be discarded after the pulp has been extracted. Our extraction process is slow and time-consuming, but the result is an ingredient that maintains the softness and elasticity of the skin.

This aromatic distilled water is obtained by steam distillation of underground water from a well 200 m below Mt. Fuji, into which yuzu fruit is placed. The process uses our own steam distillation equipment. The resulting ingredient contains an aromatic called "linalool." The aroma has a soft suggestion of yuzu.

We use the leaves of Japanese Hakka mint cultivated at our research farm near Fujikawaguchiko. The leaves are harvested when their useful components are at the peak, hand-sorted, and dried until the ingredients condense. They are then slowly boiled in underground water from 200 m below Mt. Fuji to extract the aroma and ingredients. Unlike peppermint and spearmint, Japanese Hakka mint has very few leaves on a stalk, and is considered very rare. It has high menthol content, and the result is a cool sensation, with an aroma that is slightly sweeter than peppermint.

This extract is produced by soaking sake lees in rice bran oil and sake. Contains amino acids and vitamins that help condition the skin. Matsuyama uses block junmai sake lees and sake from the Ichinokura Brewery in Miyagi.

Sake. Contains amino acids and minerals produced by the fermentation of rice. Amino acid is a primary ingredient in the natural moisturizing factor that is responsible for the important barrier functions of the cornified layer. Supplementation with fermented rice liquid protects moisture and keeps the skin safe from dryness. Matsuyama uses two varieties of sake from the Ichinokura Brewery in Miyagi.

Sake lees. Contains amino acids and vitamins that help condition the skin. Matsuyama freeze-dries block junmai sake lees from the Ichinokura Brewery in Miyagi to create a powder that is used in formulations.

An extract made from the entire saxifrage plant. Works to condition the skin. This evergreen perennial of the Saxifragaceae family has been known as a herb since ancient times, and is consumed as a wild mountain vegetable in the spring.

Fermentation metabolite created by fermenting grape juice with lactobacillus. Formulated as an ingredient that cares for the cuticle. It helps to soften the cuticle with a combination of sugar, minerals, amino acids and other ingredients found in juice together with the lactate (AHA) generated during fermentation.

Fermentation metabolite created by fermenting grape juice with lactobacillus. Formulated as an ingredient that cares for the cuticle. It helps to soften the cuticle with a combination of sugar, minerals, amino acids and other ingredients found in juice together with the lactate (AHA) generated during fermentation.

An extract from the leaves and stalks of dyer's knotweed, a member of the Polygonaceae family. Works to align the grain of the skin with additional moisturization effects that prevent transpiration of moisture and protect the barrier functions of the skin, resulting in moist, supple skin. Ai, another name for the plant, has been known since ancient times in Japan as a dye.

An extract from the leaves of the loquat. Loquat is an evergreen tree of the Rosaceae family that contains sugars, citric acid, other organic acids, and tannin. It conditions the grain of the skin to improve suppleness.

An extract of burnet roots and stalks that contains tannin and saponin. Works as an astringent to tighten the skin and improve bounce. Burnet is a perennial of the Rosaceae family that develops small, dark red flowers.

An essential oil derived from yuzu skin. At our Yamagami Citrus and Herb Garden, we use essential oils that are produced with the "Pelatrice" method, a technique that is still rare in Japan and works by removing the skins before the oil is extracted. We also use the steam distillation and pressing methods. The primary ingredient of essential yuzu oil is limonene, and it also contains linalool and terpinene. Matsuyama's products use extremely tiny amounts of essential oils that are unlikely to have adverse impacts. Our essential oils contain no furocoumarins, because they are photoxins.

Essential oil derived from skin of the sudachi. We use essential oils produced at our Yamagami Citrus and Herb Garden with the "Pelatrice" method, a technique that is still rare in Japan in which the skins are removed before extraction. Matsuyama's products use extremely tiny amounts of essential oils that are unlikely to have adverse impacts. Our essential oils contain no furocoumarins, because they are photoxins.

An essential oil derived from iyokan skin. We use essential oils produced at our Yamagami Citrus and Herb Garden with the "Pelatrice" method, a technique that is still rare in Japan where the skins are removed prior to extraction. We also use oils produced with the steam distillation method. Matsuyama's products use extremely tiny amounts of essential oils that are unlikely to have adverse impacts. Our essential oils contain no furocoumarins, because they are photoxins.