BEAUTY /
MEN
February 21, 2015
The Importance of Men's Moisturization Explained by Skincare Researcher Gaku Fujimura | INTERVIEW (1)
SPECIAL INTERVIEW (1)
The Accelerating Interest in Men's Grooming Today
Men's Grooming Expert Gaku Fujimura Explains the Importance of Men's Moisturization
"People who are busy and stressed might develop viral herpes on their lips if they go to a southern resort and are exposed to the sun without protection," says Gaku Fujimura, a men's grooming expert. "This happens because a virus that was already in the body becomes active due to a weakened immune system caused by UV exposure. In fact, the skin is an organ of immunity. If the skin's natural barrier function breaks down due to lack of care, it not only leads to chapping, dryness, and dehydration, but also allows bacteria to enter, ultimately lowering immunity and making one more susceptible to illness." That's why moisturization is important for men too. For OPENERS readers who are keenly interested in "men's grooming," we will have Mr. Fujimura discuss the current state of men's grooming over four installments, including his trend predictions for 2015.
Photographs by SUZUKI ShimpeiText by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
The Men's Beauty Market Has Dramatically Changed in 5 Years
The media coverage of men's grooming is increasing year by year, the market is expanding, and the number of participating brands and items has grown dramatically. Some brands are even launching products specifically for dull skin or to conceal dark circles, entering the makeup sector.
The landscape of men's grooming has drastically changed from five years ago, with interest accelerating over the past two to three years. The primary reason for this is that "men have come to understand the disadvantages they suffer from neglecting their appearance." In a sense, it's social pressure, but grooming has become commonplace, leading to a desire to use products that one is personally satisfied with.
The Line Between Beauty and Fashion is Blurring
OPENERS readers will surely understand this: fashion enthusiasts used to extend their interest to beauty. Nowadays, I believe the line between beauty and fashion is disappearing. Ideally, beauty should be the daily basic. For example, no matter how expensive a suit you wear, a single speck of dandruff can ruin the entire look. Skincare and hair care are the quickest ways to achieve a stylish appearance.
When asked about men's grooming, I reply, "Basic care is now at ground zero." Not caring for oneself is a definite disadvantage. This includes properly moisturizing after washing your face, shaving carefully, styling your hair, removing unwanted body hair, and keeping your nails trimmed.—These are now considered standard practices, and in the past two to three years, more personalized products that suit individual needs have emerged. I think this is similar to recent fashion trends.
I Never Knew My Skin Was Trying to Tell Me Something
Three years ago and last year, I conducted men's grooming awareness surveys for 'All About,' where I serve as a guide. There has been a definite increase in grooming awareness, and men in their 40s and 50s, who are starting to see signs of aging but have never done anything before, are now purchasing cosmetics based on word-of-mouth reviews.
Generations who were unaware that UV rays could harm their health or that their skin was communicating signals are now showing interest in care. It's becoming understood that listening to the inner voice of one's body leads to better skin care.
A Sign of Increased Awareness in Men's Moisturization
Men are also becoming more aware of understanding their own skin type. About 10 years ago, everyone would say the same thing, like 'I have oily skin.' But recently, men are experiencing dryness and sensitivity, saying things like 'My skin gets oily, but it also feels dry.' Their skin's moisture levels have decreased, leading to a lack of hydration, and they've come to understand the importance of moisturizing.
In this regard, I would like to recommend the 'Lab Series Max LS V Cream,' released in January of this year. It's a firm cream, so much so that it won't fall off even if you turn the container upside down, but it spreads smoothly on the skin and quickly leaves a pleasant, non-greasy finish.
It's a cream with a unique texture for men, unlike anything before. I likened it to 'cold sorbet' because of how it melts into the skin. Unlike a gel, it's not watery, and after application, it leaves the skin feeling smooth and moisturized all day. Men don't need to loudly proclaim their skincare routines, but men with dry, flaky skin look unkempt.
Body Milk for Those Who Scrub Their Bodies Vigorously
Just as with facial moisturizing, body care is also essential. Proper body care is particularly necessary for those who scrub their bodies vigorously in the bath, and it's indispensable if you suffer from dryness.
The "Hand & Body Milk" from the "RISINGWAVE VILLA" line, which I supervised, is a product for all-season use by men, featuring a triple blend of collagen, shea butter, and squalane. It enhances moisturizing power to hydrate dry skin. The pink "Sunset Pink" variant is particularly popular for its scent, which starts with a subtle peach sweetness and eventually transforms into a clean, soapy fragrance.
LAB SERIES MAX LS V CREAM
Price: ¥12,960
Volume: 50ml
Aramis Customer Service
Tel. 03-5251-3541
http://www.labseries.jp/
RISINGWAVE VILLA
HAND & BODY MILK
(Light Blue / Sunset Pink)
Price: ¥1,944 each
Volume: 250mL each
FITS CORPORATION
Tel. 03-6892-1332
http://www.fits-japan.com/
RISINGWAVE
http://risingwave.jp/list/risingwave_villa
Gaku Fujimura
"Men's Grooming Research Institute (DANBIKEN)"
http://danbiken.net/