This survey was excerpted from the November 2021 issue of ampule magazine Vol. 02.
To read the corresponding article and the full magazine, please visit the back issues of the electronic version of ampule magazine.

▼ampule magazine
https://ampule.jp/magazine/

ampule magazine Vol.02The Future of J-Beauty, Changing from ‘Ingredients’
The Future of J-Beauty, Changing from ‘Ingredients’.We will consider the “now” and “future” of cosmetic ingredients based on interviews with skinfluencers, skincare brands, doctors, and experts, as well as surveys of consumers.

＜Survey Outline＞
Researched by Trenders
Survey period: August 20~September 8, 2021
Survey target: 1103 women in their 20s~40s, equally divided by age group (Japan: 603, Korea: 500)
Survey method: Internet survey

Cosmetics are the crystallization of chemical technology. Many consumers may feel uncomfortable talking about technical matters such as ingredients and formulas, but how much do they really understand about cosmetics? We conducted a questionnaire survey focusing on the theme of “ingredients. How is the situation in the neighboring country of South Korea, which is also known as an “advanced beauty country”? By comparing the results of the Japan-Korea survey, we analyzed the differences in attitudes toward skincare in the two countries.

＜Japan＞Yes：63.5%
＜Korea＞Yes：88.2%

＜Japan＞
Because I want to choose the right one for my skin 76.5%
Because different ingredients have different effects 33.7%
Because I may not know what works for my skin 26.9

＜Korea＞

Because I want to choose one that suits my skin 79.4%
Because I want to choose one that is gentle not only to my skin but also to the environment 49.9%
Because different ingredients have different effects 49.7%

＜Japan＞Yes：51.0%
＜Korea＞Yes：85.9%
※The average value was calculated by asking the respondents how much they check each of cleansers, facial cleansers, toners, serums, emulsions/creams, and sheet masks.

South Korea far surpassed Japan in terms of awareness of skincare ingredients.

In addition to their effectiveness on the skin, many respondents cited environmental friendliness as a reason. In fact, brands that are committed to sustainability are gaining support, especially among the younger generation in Korea.

In Japan, on the other hand, 15% of respondents were found to be “completely unaware” of the ingredients (compared to 0.2% in Korea). The reason given by both those who are aware and those who are not is “I don’t know what suits my skin.

Perhaps Japanese people do not have enough time to face their own skin rather than to understand the ingredients.