My Favorite: "Purifying Treatment Oil"—Captivated by Its Aroma and Texture

My favorite among THREE's skincare line is the "Purifying Treatment Oil." I absolutely adore the patchouli scent used in this oil. It completely won me over (laughs). The texture is non-greasy and absorbs beautifully. It doesn't leave a shiny or oily residue. My skin feels instantly hydrated, and it seems to improve circulation. I've already incorporated it into the hand massages at my salon. Many clients comment on how pleasant they find the subtle aroma of this oil. Even at home, when I wear it, my children say, "Mom, you smell nice." While it might not be strongly noticeable at first, I sometimes catch a waft of patchouli before I fall asleep... a testament to its presence as a base note. It would also be wonderful for head spas, used as a massage oil for the neck and décolleté.

Personally, I've switched from body cream to the "Purifying Treatment Oil" after my bath. It feels lighter than body cream. I apply it all over my damp body after showering and then gently pat away the excess with a towel. However, for skin in its 40s and beyond, it might feel a bit insufficient during the dead of winter. In that case, I plan to mix it with a cream.

Miho Matsuura, Twiggy

"Gentle Purifying Soap": Tailoring Foam Usage to Skin Type and Needs

For the "Gentle Purifying Soap," I lather it well and apply the foam to my face, almost like placing it on the skin. The fossil coral powder is quite potent for skin in my late 40s (laughs). If I leave it on for a short while with my eyes closed, the dirt adheres to the foam and is removed effortlessly. Afterward, I either rinse it off or gently wipe it away with a cotton pad thoroughly dampened with water. After washing my face, I notice the moisture quickly receding when I dry my face with a towel. It's a luxurious approach, but I think it's also excellent for washing the body.

Oil-Based Skincare Begins with Hydration: "Balancing Lotion" × "Balancing SQ Oil"

Balancing Lotion

Proper oil-based skincare hinges on initial hydration. Oil cannot penetrate without ample moisture. That's why, upon seeing the generous size of the "Balancing Lotion" bottle, I thought, "Ah, they're truly considering proper oil-based skincare." Moisture is absolutely crucial for maintaining the skin's resilience. I could use this lotion and oil all over my body. I wish they'd release a spray version of the lotion for full-body application. When a cosmetic product emphasizes hydration, I find it inherently appealing.

However, the "Balancing SQ Oil" is so light that even a young staff member in her 20s commented, "It's an oil, yet it feels so smooth and non-sticky, making it very easy to use." For skin in its 40s and 50s, relying solely on "Balancing Lotion" and "Balancing SQ Oil" for oil-based skincare might not be sufficient. I feel that it's necessary to supplement with oil from "Balancing Emulsion" or mix the oil with a cream. Perhaps the researchers at THREE considered this when developing the products. The ability to mix products as needed encourages users to develop their own wisdom. It's more practical than the product dictating extensive usage instructions... much like our diet. We choose organic basics, but we also want to indulge in other foods occasionally. It's best to ensure the foundation is always organic, natural, or herbal, as this enhances the skin's natural healing power and allows us to understand our own skin's capabilities.

Argan Oil: Valued in Ayurveda for Its Exceptional Penetration

I also love argan oil, which is used in most of the skincare line. When I visited Morocco, I bought so much that it was a burden to carry (laughs). Argan oil is also consumed internally as a purifying oil. When I was practicing Ayurveda, I used large quantities of argan oil both for my skin and for consumption. In Ayurveda, it's commonly used as a "carrier oil," mixed with other oils or essential oils.

Balancing SQ Oil

THREE & Twiggy: The Social Significance of Cosmetics Prioritizing Domestic Ingredients

THREE's proactive use of domestic ingredients resonates deeply with Twiggy's philosophy. We must save Japan before we can save the world (laughs). Lately, the terms "social contribution" and "eco" are so overused that some people mock them, but those who aren't doing anything shouldn't criticize (laughs). Taking action means moving forward. It signifies caring about the planet we inhabit, which is why I strongly resonate with such initiatives. Cosmetics that consider social contribution and health are becoming central to the beauty industry. After all, who isn't familiar with terms like "vegetarian," "macrobiotic," or "organic"? I believe cosmetics have the power to cultivate such mindsets. People who possess an inner radiance that naturally emanates, and who know how to achieve it, are truly captivating and admirable. They possess resilience.

However, sourcing cosmetic ingredients domestically within Japan's current system is incredibly challenging. It was extremely difficult when creating Twiggy's haircare line as well. I've heard that the THREE staff members actually visited the production sites for ingredients like Okinawan coral and Aomori's kumazasa bamboo. But these types of materials often face hurdles in cosmetic registration. This is an issue with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. There's a system in Japan that requires us to utilize large companies to obtain cosmetic registration.

Globally, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's perception of beauty is quite low. It's only been in the last few years that we've been able to source domestic herbs. This was due to a societal issue where we had to import herbs despite having the domestic soil to cultivate them, and the Ministry's view that herbs were harmful. I truly wish the Ministry would study the fact that beauty, not just medicine, is related to health. I want to emphasize this point! (laughs)

From left: "Balancing Lotion," "Balancing SQ Oil," "Purifying Treatment Oil"; Top: "Gentle Purifying Soap"

A New Natural Brand with Immense Potential

As mentioned in my experience with "Balancing SQ Oil," THREE's skincare line possesses a certain lightness in its texture. For those in their 30s and 40s with normal or vegetarian-leaning skin types, it's likely to resonate. Reviewing the line's ingredients, it gives the impression of being a "classic" among natural products. However, to better satisfy the pleasure women seek from cosmetics, perhaps a little something more could be added. Natural cosmetics absolutely require elements of pleasure to transform the "correctness" of the product into "beauty"—for instance, by introducing richer textures that don't compromise the product's integrity.

With such additions, I believe the THREE brand could achieve even greater reach. From the moment I began testing the skincare line, I sensed a significant difference from conventional natural brands, marking a promising start for the brand's future.

It's wonderful that young staff members are diligently creating what they envision. The launch of a brand like this is truly remarkable. They've started from a high level, leveraging scientific expertise. I'm eager to meet the researchers; I'm incredibly curious.

...It's a very intelligent, well-behaved, and logical brand... However, my personal philosophy is that "correctness alone is not beauty." I always believe in creating beauty practices where correctness becomes enjoyable. In that sense, I sense great potential in THREE's solid foundation, combined with the freedom afforded by its young staff. I believe it would be fascinating to see them incorporate more of women's innate desires, revealing a more multifaceted image of femininity. I have high expectations for how it will evolve.

THREE
0120-898-003
www.threecosmetics.com