Hada Labo Tokyo was new to me. I saw a post/ad for it on Facebook, and it quickly got my attention. Hada Labo Tokyo is a Japanese skincare brand, created in 2004 by Rohto Pharmaceuticals, a company that began in 1899 in Osaka as a family drugstore. The Hada Labo Tokyo line is sold in Asia, and it recently came to the U.S. The brand now includes more than 60 products in its collection!
Hada Labo Tokyo Anti-aging Hydrator is a hyaluronic acid (HA) serum. HA is a naturally occurring substance that helps lubricate joints and hydrate skin. As we age, production of HA decreases making our joints stiffer and our skin drier and duller. The good news is that HA applied topically helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier to keep moisture in, and working beneath the skin’s surface, it helps to hydrate skin and increase collagen production. Everyone’s skincare routine should include hyaluronic acid.
What makes Hada Labo Tokyo’s HA different is that their scientists have created a Super Hyaluronic Acid Complex made up of three types of HA:
- macro Hyaluronic Acid: acts on the skin’s surface to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier
- Super Hyaluronic Acid Plus: provides twice the hydration properties of regular HA, and its unique water and oil-loving properties allows the HA to bond with the skin’s lipid layer for optimum moisture retention
- micro Hyaluronic Acid: its micro size allows the molecule to work deep within the skin’s structure to hydrate from the inside out.
Here’s a video that shows how it works:
http://youtu.be/5iPSCaPovxU
In addition to the three types of HA, Hada Labo Tokyo Anti-aging Hydrator also contains retinol complex and collagen to increase skin’s elasticity and firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I have added retinol products to my skincare routine, so getting more in my serum is a plus.
What about the aesthetics of the product?
- It comes in a pump bottle for easy use. Pump slowly to get just a little — a pea-size amount — because a little goes a long way.
- It’s fragrance-free, and also free of parabens, dyes and mineral oil.
- Although viscous, it is a lightweight liquid. Warm it in your hands and pat it on to your skin, just like the aesthetician does with serums and moisturizers when you go for a facial. Apply to your face and neck. It takes just a few seconds to apply, and it absorbs in a heartbeat. The packaging says you can even apply it during the day over your makeup if your skin is feeling dry, though I haven’t felt the need to do that. Here’s a video from the company in Japanese that demonstrates the application process:
http://youtu.be/ybDLL0EheYk
I love the look of the product. The bottle is packaged in a very pretty box. Japanese cherry blossoms have always been a favorite of mine, and I love the cherry blossom design on the bottle and box. Hada Labo Tokyo Anti-aging Hydrator looks like a very upscale and expensive product. I was given this product to review by the company, and I really love it. In fact, I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy it once I use it up. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it’s sold at Ulta and drugstore.com for $17.99 for a long-lasting bottle of 1.7 fl. oz./50 ml. So happy because I’m hooked!
Check out the brand’s website for additional information and beauty tips: www.hadalabotokyo.com
Ingredients
water, butylene glycol, glycerin, beta-carotene, BHT, caprylic/capric triglyceride, carbomer homopolymer, dipropylene glycol, disodium EDTA, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, hydrolyzed collagen (marine), hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxyethylcellulose, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, methylisothiazolinone, PEG-20 sorbitan isostearate, PPG-10 methyl glucose ether, retinyl palmitate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, sodium chloride, sodium hyaluronate, tocopherol, triethanolamine, zea mays (corn) oil
Are you using hyaluronic acid? Do you have a serum you love?
I’m interested in this brand, haven’t used a hyaluronic acid in a long while!
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted…Bobbi Brown, Arganesse Giveaway and More from The Beauty Blog Coalition 11/24/13
I like it a lot, Tina! Check it out at your next trip to Ulta 🙂
I agree everyone should be using hyaluronic acid. I don’t use this particular brand but am going to have to try it…..a girl can never have to many products! 😉
Susie (The Esthetic Goddess) recently posted…It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner For Blondes Review
I was using another brand of HA, but I prefer the packaging of this one, and the triple HA was an appealing claim. Worth trying, Susie! Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
I want to try this! I have been using the cleanser and really like it!
Amber recently posted…Wantable November box left me wanting more!!
I like it a lot, Amber, and I love the gel cream moisturizer. I want to see if they have an eye cream.
I just started using this product and am thus far extremely impressed. I’ve used various products that contain Hyaluronic Acid as well as pure HA on my skin for several years all with good results. However this product seems different.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve had good luck with it, Emma. I like it a lot, and I also like the gel cream moisturizer that I’ve been trying for a few weeks as well. Also, the packaging is wonderful on the HA serum
Oh my gosh! I thought it was just me that didn’t feel my skin was hydrated after using it. I worry that a moisturizer will counteract the effects and purpose of the lotion.
You’ve got it wrong, Emily. So far you are the first who has reported an issue in using it. Also, hyaluronic acid helps your moisturizer work better! The best way to use a serum, especially an HA serum, is to pat it onto your skin while your skin is still damp, and then apply your moisturizer over the serum.