The Demand for High-Performance Anti-Aging Care

What needs does Ms. Nagatomi particularly focus on in recent skincare?



"Specifically, as a future trend in anti-aging care, I am watching the direction of 'sagging' care. While various companies are taking different approaches to achieve firmness and adequate hydration, sagging is fundamentally a change in facial structure due to aging, not just skin tone. Many people use products wondering, 'How effective can cosmetics really be?' I myself sometimes question the extent to which cosmetics alone can achieve results. However, it's true that the speed at which advanced technologies from the medical field, including regenerative medicine, are being incorporated into cosmetics is increasing, leading to more tangible anti-aging effects."

'Penetration' Remains a Key Skincare Keyword

We are now in an era where popular beauty treatments from around the world can be easily received at domestic clinics. "By directly and uniformly injecting various beauty ingredients into the shallow layers of the skin, it makes the skin dewy from within and gives it a lustrous appearance. When I tried injection-based treatments, I felt I experienced the ultimate anti-aging power of 'hydration.' The effects were truly remarkable! However, the cost for about two months' supply is equivalent to three to six bottles of serum, and some people still have reservations about cosmetic procedures. Therefore, for daily care, the key is how well a 'topical serum' can penetrate and remain in the skin to deliver its effects. There's also a great expectation for the efficacy of the ingredients themselves. I'm particularly paying attention to the American science-based cosmetic brand 'b.glen,' which has recently focused on 'penetration depth.'"

b.glen is a science-based cosmetic brand that, through its proprietary penetration technology 'QuSome®,' enables various beauty ingredients, which are normally difficult to penetrate the skin, to reach their targets effectively. It not only delivers the necessary ingredients to the right areas in the right amounts according to skin concerns but also allows the ingredients to remain in the skin for extended periods, ensuring lasting effects. The brand has consistently pursued such high functionality since its inception.



In science-based skincare, the evolution of textures is also remarkable. "I hear that Japanese women have the world's highest sensitivity to texture. Many manufacturers believe that a brand can only compete globally once it can produce products that satisfy them. As the number of discerning users increases, textures become more refined. Simultaneously, products that meticulously focus on superior penetration technology and lasting beauty effects are also increasing, leading to further segmentation. The market is becoming so mature and, in a sense, overly abundant, that finding what suits you has become increasingly difficult."

Ms. Nagatomi continues, "With so many choices, it's a time when you can achieve a certain level of beauty no matter what you use. But how do you reach the next level of beauty? Finding skincare methods and products that suit you is important, so 'discernment' is key, isn't it? It's crucial to carefully consider what you prioritize, what kind of skin you want, and what you want to achieve. Otherwise, you might get swept away by the flood of information."

Page.02 Anti-aging on Your Own Terms

Anti-aging on Your Own Terms

"In terms of beauty overall, we've entered an era of comprehensive anti-aging considerations," says Ms. Nagatomi. "Both internal and external care are important. It's becoming an era where not just the skin, but also hair, fashion, mindset, and even how one speaks are scrutinized in relation to aging. Looking more broadly, some women are consciously considering not just their own aging but also that of their partners. As men's beauty is on the cusp of a significant boom, new values are beginning to emerge."

Finally, we asked Ms. Nagatomi about the beauty ingredients she is currently focusing on. "Vitamin C and retinol – these two are consistently strong and reliable. They are easily prescribed by clinics and are indispensable ingredients. Both offer a variety of skin-beautifying effects. In skincare, women often want it all: hydration, wrinkle reduction, protection, and more. Because it's an era where women have such diverse desires, I believe these ingredients will continue to gain attention."