Shiseido Aqualabel lotions and tips using 化粧水 (Japanese face lotion)

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend - back again with a skincare post!

For those not familar with kanji or Chinese characters, 化粧水 literally translates to "makeup water" or "beauty water" but really it means "Face lotion", which can sometimes be mistaken to be moisturizing lotion (a moisturizer). Most Japanese lotions are moisturizing, and is used just before the moisturizer -used in the toning-step- it's almost like prepping the skin.

Some ladies like to soak "lotion" into compressed sheet masks and cotton pads. There were even budget-savvy tips in using toilet-roll (in place of the compressed sheet masks and cotton pads) in a magazine once!!

(source: Muji.us)

Today's post will be about Shiseido's sub-line Aqualabel - a popular drugstore brand in Japan.

I am currently using 2 types of lotion, yes 2! First lotion I picked up a few weeks ago is the Shiseido Aqualabel White AC lotion in a nice turquoise coloured bottle from the blue Whitening line, which target adults with acne with whitening. The lotion is suppose to brighten, keep the skin moisturized and prevent pimples.

I realize there is very little information about this product online, even on the Japanese Shiseido website! Luckily i could translate all the info from the box I kept.

This lotion contains - collagen, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, Winter Bergonia, Glycerin, CE (active ingredient to retain moisture) Sorry but I have NO idea what CE stands for, it doesn't explicitly say! On the box it also says it's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and Allergy-tested. Non-comedogenic is always a good sign!


I love to use this on my t-zone because I find it so refreshing to use. The oil has become problematic since Summer has arrived and this product has definitely become handy. This lotion is by no means clarifying but skin feels refreshed, cooled and because it's suppose to help my skin to retain it's moisture - in theory - I should be less oily as the skin tends to produce more oil to compensate the dryness. The best thing about this product is that it's non-drying. My blackheads have slowly disappeared in the last few weeks - I can't say it played the part of clearing it, but it definitely didn't break me out.

I know you really can't tell in my pictures but my skin has been AWFUL since I went to Hong Kong. As mentioned, there was mainly an explosion of blackheads *mostly on my forehead* and I'm really terrible.. I like to DIY extract them! My skin has literally been a mess, especially the last few days - it's actually clearing up and healing up nicely now (thanks to my HG pimple cream, Clarisonic and savlon). In between I found myself soaking up my cotton pad with this lotion and I resting it on my forehead and chin for about 2-5 mins - the acne is less red and raw-looking!

I could just about read the ingredients list, sadly it does contain alcohol. But in it's defence I haven't found it drying and there is no strong alcohol scent as you might find in some products.

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The other product I am currently using is the Aqualabel White Up Lotion R. There are 3 types lotion from this lotion line - "S" which means さっぱり(Sappari) - this means refreshing, leaving your skin feeling "fresh", "R" which means しっとり (Shittori) - which means moisture, leaving your skin feeling "smooth" and finally, "RR" which is とてもしっとり (totemo shittori) - this mean Rich Moist, which should leave your skin "very smooth".

Having used the Aqualabel Whitening range trial set, which included a mini cleansing oil, cleansing foam, lotion and emulsion - I decided to get the same lotion from the set - "R" version.

This works well as I have dry combination on my cheeks. Unlike the White AC lotion where I use with the cotton pad, I like to pat this product in by hand. The lotion feels slightly more viscous than the White AC lotion, but doesn't feel sticky at all. A few drops goes a long way. It absorbs really quickly, and my skin instantly feels smooth and soft. My skin definitely feel moisturized but doesn't feel overly rich. I've had little problem with dry skin since using this. And since I have been breaking out I have relied on my pimple cream A LOT, which can be extremely drying!

While different Aqualabel lotions may vary, the "R" type contains M-tranexamic acid, which helps to protect the skin from hyper pigmentations, W-Hyaluronic acid which moisturizes. Similar to the White AC lotion, it can also double up as "lotion mask" by soaking up with compressed sheet masks and cotton pads for an extra moisturizing pick me up.

As for brightening/whitening effect my face has become more even-toned. I did noticed my freckles have faded a little, which were much more noticeable a few months ago. In fact, my face is actually lighter than my neck as my sister has kindly pointed out, despite being in the sun the last few weeks (I do wear SPF35-50 out)! I know it's such a faux-pas, but I do realize these products are most definitely working.

(new, unopened bottle of White Up R Lotion :))

So far I really like how both products work! 化粧水 (keshousui or keshoumizu) aka japanese lotions is definitely a summer essential! I feel that if my skin (cheeks area) ever became overly oil I would definitely replace this over the moisturizer because it's very light and it contains active moisturizing ingredients. I am dubious whether the AC lotion is preventing pimples but it works well as a refreshing (I wouldn't say clarify) lotion for the oily t-zones. I love the fact you can use these lotion as "lotion-masks", which is popular among Japanese women. Both bottles comes in 200ml which is really good value considering they are both under 1500yen a pop!

I am also using the Aqualabel Emulsion from the Whitening series, which I'll review later on. Red and purple versions are also available. Red-version aims at dry skin, and purple for mature skin.

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Remember, the majority of these face lotions (and emulsions) are divided in to 1-4 types depending on skin type -

さっぱり: "Refresh" - this is suitable for oily skin types
ややしっとり: "Slight moist" - this is suitable for oily combo
しっとり- (probably the most popular choice) Moist - suitable for normal - dry-combo skin types
とてもしとり- Rich Moist (literal translation - very moist) - suitable for dry skin

I hope the info helps for ladies who are looking to try Japanese lotions!