Hada-Labo Lotion Series (Part 1) : Goku-jyun Lotion

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In this post, I want to clarify that I will not give my review or comment which would make this product information biased. I do not do this because of monetary purpose or marketing for any products. I would rather explain the product in English so you can compare with the one available in the market. Some Japanese Products have different beauty series from overseas, so there would be some products you might not find available in your country yet.

Before we start…

Brand Information:

• ROHTO HADA LABO is the Japanese skin care sensation

• Introduced in 2004, it’s the #1 face lotion in Japan, with one bottle purchased every two seconds.

• HADA LABO—which is translated as “Skin Lab”—is a technologically advanced Japanese skin care line researched and developed at the Rohto research facility in Japan. It is the result of more than 100 years of product development and the continued research efforts of Rohto Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. (Source)

My experience when living in Japan: Currently I notice that they have 7 series, and there is no English version of them (by the time I wrote this), so I will just translate by myself here (which sounds funny...) : 極潤 (Goku-jyun Lotion/Super-moisturizing), 極潤プレミアム (Premium Goku-jyun/Premium Super-moisturizing), 白潤 (Haku-jyun Lotion/Brightening & Moisturizing), 白潤プレミアム (Premium Haku-jyun Lotion/Premium Brightening & Moisturizing), 薬用極潤 (Yaku-you Goku-jyun Lotion/Medicated Super-moisturizing), 極潤α (Anti-Aging & Super-Moisturizing), es(エス) (Sensitive Skin Range).

Each series has different products suitable for different skin types; I mean, in the same lotion category, having 7 series, each series has another different types of lotion (say wut…).

Here I give basic information based on their website and explain their usage for different skin types. Now this will be mind-blowing if you want to choose the one that fits your skin best, but lets grab a cup of tea and give it a try.

Basic Information about the product series: Most of Hadalabo Products contain Super Hyaluronic Acid, making them intensively hydrating.

What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic Acid (#HA) is a substance naturally occurring in the human body that attracts and binds water. It acts as a lubricant in our eyes, joints, skin, and other tissues. HA is often used as a moisturizing agent in cosmetics.

In youth, our skin is rich with HA—and our bodies readily produce it. With age and exposure to the sun's UVA and UVB rays though, our skin cells produce less and less HA. The result is drier, less elastic skin. With a reduced ability to retain moisture, skin also becomes wrinkled. Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) replenishes the skin’s hydrating ability with two times the moisture-retention capacity of Hyaluronic Acid (reference)

Okay lets start:

極潤 (Goku-jun Lotion/Super-moisturizing) series

Note: Japan uses the word "lotion" instead of "toner". So yes, this is a Toner

There are 3 types of lotion in this Super-moisturizing lotion series

1. Name: 肌ラボ 極潤ヒアルロン液: HADA LABO Goku-jyun Clear Lotion

• What it does: 吸いつくようなもちもち素肌に導く化粧水 (Raw translation: lotion that will lead to a Japanese-sticky-rice-cake-like skin). Basically it will give your skin a soft and hydrated feeling like rice cake

• Capacity: 170 mL

• Characteristic: Mild acidity. No fragrance · coloring · oil free · alcohol free

• How to use: use after washing with Face Wash as the foundation to your moisturizing routine. While it looks clear like a toner or makeup remover, it’s actually a moisturizer that helps prepare your skin for better absorption of other skin-care products. In fact, the HADA LABO Goku-jyun Clear Lotion can be used as a standalone moisturizer.

Ingredient & Function (check from cosDNA) (Source):

1. Water: Solvent

2. Glycerin: Solvent/ Moisturizer

3. Butylene Glycol: Solvent/ Moisturizer

4. Disodium succinate: Surfactant

5. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: Moisturizer

6. Succinic acid: Astringent

7. Hydroxyethylcellulose: Viscosity Control

8. Methylparaben: Preservative

9. PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE ETHER: Emollient

10. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate: Viscosity Control/ Moisturizer

11. Sodium Hyaluronate: Moisturizer

Judging from the ingredient list, this lotion helps hydrating dry skin type.

2. Name: 肌ラボ 極潤ヒアルロン液 ライトタイプ: HADA LABO Goku-jyun Light Lotion

• What it does: さっぱり使えて、しっかりうるおう化粧水 (Raw translation: a lotion that can be used lightly but is still refreshing and guarantees to moisturize your face totally)

• Capacity: 170mL

• Characteristic: Mild acidity. No fragrance · coloring · oil free ( but not alcohol free compared to HADA LABO Goku-jyun Clear Lotion); a moisturizer with a lighter texture than HADA LABO Goku-jyun Lotion

• How to use: Same way as the Clear lotion

Ingredient & Function (check from cosDNA) (Source):

1. Water: Solvent

2. Dipropylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether: Solvent

3. Alcohol: Solvent

4. Glycerin: Solvent/ Moisturizer

5. Disodium succinate: Surfactant

6. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: Moisturizer

7. Methylparaben: Preservative

8. PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE ETHER: Emollient

9. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate: Viscosity Control/ Moisturizer

10. Sodium Hyaluronate: Moisturizer

11. Succinic acid: Astringent

Since there is a slight different in the ingredients, which is alcohol, this product will fit oily skin type who wants to moisturize without feeling too damp on their skin.

3. Name: 極潤 ヒアルロン乳液: HADA LABO Goku-jyun Milk Lotion

• What it does: うるおいへのこだわり。ふっくら、もちもち肌に (Raw translation: Guarantee towards a moistured, plump and rice-cake-like skin) Meaning it moisturizes deeply, offering nourishing hydration and skin-smoothing conditioners (skin looks like baby skin)

• Capacity: 140 mL (Smaller than the other two)

• Characteristic: Mild acidity. No fragrance · coloring · oil free ( but not alcohol free compared to HADA LABO Goku-jyun Clear Lotion); a moisturizer with a thicker texture (milkier) than HADA LABO Goku-jyun Lotion

• How to use: Same way as the Clear lotion

Ingredient & Function (check from cosDNA) (Source):

1. Water: Solvent

2. Glycerin: Solvent/ Moisturizer

3. Dipropylene glycol: Solvent/ Moisturizer

4. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Fragrance

5. PPG-10 METHYL GLUCOSE ETHER: Emollient

6. Sodium Hyaluronate: Moisturizer

7. PEG-20 SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE: Surfactant/ Emulsifier

8. Glyceryl Stearate: Emollient/ Emulsifier

9. Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate: Emollient

10. Dimethicone: Emollient

11. Carbomer: Viscosity Control

12. Stearyl Alcohol: Surfactant/ Viscosity Control

13. Behenyl Alcohol: Viscosity Control

14. Triethanol amine: pH Adjusters

15. Disodium EDTA

16. Methylparaben: Preservative

17. Propylparaben: Preservative

18. Hydrogenated Poly (C6-12 Olefin): Binding/ Emollient

19. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate: Moisturizer/ Thickener

Though thicker in texture (and longer list of ingredients), this product has some alcohol and helps with pH adjusting, which is different from the other 2 . Now that when we look at the list, there is Methylparaben and Propylparaben. Though indicated that these agents are used in a small amount, Propylparaben is known as Human immune toxicant or allergen (reference). But of course when it is put at the end of the list, we understand it is not used at a high quantity and will be safe. However this means that you should use it cautiously, or better check with doctors if you have allergies with these ingredients. Suitable for normal skin, with/without an oily T-zone.

Conclusion

All of the product in this series are super hydrating one, and should be used as a post-active toner. The company says it has an ideal pH of 5.5, which is nice for the skin and won's cause irritation.

If you have normal skin, or an oily T-zone combination, and you want to super-moisturize your skin, and you do not have problem with alcohol ingredient or allergy with -paraben, go for Milk lotion (Pink)

If you have a dry skin, and you want to moisturize your skin without irritating with any alcohol agent, go for Clear lotion (White)

If you have an oily skin, and you want to moisturize your skin without using greasy and heavy texture, and no problem with alcohol ingredient, go for Light lotion (Green)

Note: They recently have changed their product packaging, and also I notice that the packaging design is different in many countries, so if you cannot find the one in the picture above, maybe it is the new one or the one that is not bought straight from Japan (or worse: fake one…). So do check their official website , and see the ingredient list to know which lotion you have.

Are you using this one? Or are you planning too? Feel free to ask me questions~

#toner #lotion #gokujyun #hadalabo #japan #information