Various measurements of skin revealed four skin types!

In the 1980s when we received this award, the cosmetic market had reached maturity with various cosmetic products flooding the market. For this reason, it also became the era of major changes in women’s awareness from the desire to use the same cosmetic products as others, to use those that suited them.

Skin type is an indicator for choosing cosmetic products appropriate for each person. At the time of this award, skin was categorized into three types, normal-type skin, dry skin, and oily skin, based on previous experiences, subjective view, and senses. However, we thought it was necessary to categorize skin more objectively so that people could choose cosmetics that were more appropriate for their skin and to enhance the effects of these products. This award-winning research resulted in the development of a skin quality determination method through analysis of the results of skin measurement.

After a detailed investigation of the skin status, we discovered that there were people who did not belong to any of the three types of skin. These people had large amounts of sebum but had dry skin, causing the skin condition to deteriorate, and they are now classified as mixed-type skin. People with large amounts of sebum tend to prefer cosmetics that feel fresh; people with mixed-type skin have large amounts of sebum but insufficient moisture, which means moisturizing care is required. People with mixed-type skin had been using cosmetics aimed at oily skin but did not experience improvement because they did not have enough moisturizing care. This research resulted in the scientific discovery of mixed-type skin, leading to cosmetics for mixed-type skin with a fresh feel and sufficient moisturization. The four types of skin initiated from this research are being used around the world even today.

According to a survey of customer awareness, many people determined their skin type based on oiliness (amount of sebum) and moisture (amount of moisture). Therefore, four measurements were made—measurement of sebum, observation of skin texture, measurement of the rate of metabolism of amino acids, and measurement of the amount of evaporated water—in order to analyze the relationship between the sensation felt by customers and the actual skin condition. As a result of this study, we discovered the mixed-type skin and established a scientific method that can relatively easily classify skin types based on oiliness from the amount of sebum and moisture from the state of the skin surface texture.

The classification method of skin types established by this research later served as the basis for the design of Skin Visiom, a beauty device that reveals the amount of moisture and sebum in the skin and state of skin texture. In addition, the information on skin obtained from these measurements became the foundation for current beauty theories. For example, the importance of the balance between moisture and sebum (moisture balance) was proposed initially through this research.

At the time of the research, the skin measurement frequently found people who thought they had normal-type skin but actually had dry skin or mixed-type skin. Skin changes with age, as well as from environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays and dryness. If your skin feels different, for example your usual cosmetics no longer suit you or new skin problems like pigmentation and wrinkles develop, we recommend a skin diagnosis in the store. A detailed analysis of the current skin condition will help you choose the appropriate method of care.