KOSÉ SEKKISEI Just Launched Their First Sustainable Skincare Products With Plant-Based Ingredients

By Rachel Yohannan on 03 Sep 2020

Senior Digital Editor

Japanese women are known for having amazing skin, with many of them looking deceptively more youthful than their actual age in years. It is no surprise then, that many Japanese beauty brands are hot favourites in Singapore.

One of these is KOSÉ, which has been endorsed by models and celebrities yet is reasonably priced. They’ve recently added a new alcohol-free range of products to their ever-popular SEKKISEI line which are extra gentle and sustainable.

We’ll reveal how to get free samples for these new KOSÉ SEKKISEI products, along with limited edition free gifts including a Japanese-style reusable shopping bag and wooden bento lunch box set - but first, here’s all you need to know about these skincare goodies and why they’re so special.

Read on to find out more about KOSÉ’ s new SEKKISEI skincare products in Singapore!

- KOSÉ SEKKISEI Free Type -

You’ve probably come to associate KOSÉ with the colour blue, but their new Free Type range comes in a fresh, minimalistic white packaging instead. Made to be gentle and non-stinging, this range is free of 21 harmful chemicals, including but not limited to alcohol, sulphates, parabens, and formaldehyde. It’s also devoid of added fragrances or colour. This makes it especially suitable for sensitive skin.

Instead, it makes use of ITOWA, a special Japanese botanical formula with the key ingredient of Alpinia Zerumbet Leaf Extract, an antioxidant that protects the skin from nasties in the air.

Along with other hydrating plant-based ingredients like floral extract and fruit juice, ITOWA forms a protective barrier on your skin - effectively blocking out external pollution while locking in moisture and preserving lipids that give your complexion a healthy bounce.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Putting this special botanical mix to the test, I tried out the Free Type Cleansing Gel ($28), a makeup remover, and the Gentle Wash ($25), a foaming face wash.

As someone who often wears heavy foundation when I go out, I was glad to find that the former got rid of everything in one wash with no residue. The latter worked well to cleanse my skin of oil and grime on other days, without stripping it of natural moisture.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

After cleansing comes lotion, and the Pure Concentrate Lotion ($46) did a good job in providing hydration. Light and watery, it absorbed well into my skin with a non-oily finish.

Complete the routine with the Refining Milk ($48), a moisturiser that feels soothing and pleasant. Though it appears to be cream-based, it is more watery in texture and is very breathable.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

The usage of natural ingredients makes Kose Sekkisei Free Type suitable for those with easily irritated skin. But even if your skin isn’t prone to flaring up, the Free Type range is a good choice if you’re someone who’s particular about what goes into your skin.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

I used the above Kose Sekkisei Free Type products for 4 weeks, and was pleased to find that my usually tight and easily aggravated skin became brighter, smoother, and felt less dry. My pores were also clearer, despite the humidity and all the stuffiness under my face mask during this COVID-19 period.

- KOSÉ SEKKISEI Effective Type -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Apart from Free Type, Kose has another new Sekkisei range, Effective Type. In a slight deviation from the former Sekkisei purplish-blue, this comes in a calming Lapis Lazuli shade, aka “earth blue”.

While also infused with ITOWA, Effective Type has an additional power formula in it: Clarity Boost Complex. Also 100% natural, with ingredients like Hydrolysed Rice Leaf Extract and Plum Blossom Fruit Extract, the Clarity Boost Complex specifically helps to target sebum oxidation, which causes clogged pores leading to breakouts.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

If you have acne-prone skin, try using the Effective Type Milk Cleanser ($30) and Facial Soap ($28) as your makeup remover and face wash respectively. The Facial Soap is a bar soap that lathers up well, and if stored properly, will last you a long time.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Oily skin needs hydration too, and if that’s your skin type, go for the Effective Type Natural Drip lotion ($48) and Hydrating Gel ($50) to maintain soft, young-looking skin - all without having to worry about greasiness or excess sebum.

Again, the lotion and moisturiser are all pretty watery in texture despite a milky, cream-like appearance, so you can take comfort in knowing that they won’t feel heavy on your face at all.

-KOSÉ’s new sustainable packaging -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

The colours of the product bottles aren’t the only changes in KOSÉ’s packaging; The bottles themselves are made from a more eco-friendly biomass-derived PET material which produces less carbon dioxide. In lieu of printed logos which require ink, the containers have embossed logos instead.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

On top of that, they’ve since switched to brown recyclable cardboard boxes which use biomass-derived ink.

These efforts are all part of their 35th SEKKISEI Anniversary goal to move towards sustainable packaging that’s kinder to the earth, to match their natural and sustainable skincare.

- Get limited edition free gifts with your KOSÉ purchase -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

In line with their sustainable approach to skincare, KOSÉ is also encouraging you to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle - starting with some free gifts!

Receive a limited edition KOSÉ SEKKISEI reusable shopping tote bag with any purchase of Lotion or Emulsion. This has a simple but classic Japanese-style seigaiha wave design that’ll let you shop in style saving the earth, one less plastic bag at a time.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Alternatively, cop the limited edition KOSÉ SEKKISEI Japanese bento lunch box set with purchase of a Lotion & Moisturiser. Made of lacquered wood, this comes with its own fabric carrier, along with a cutlery set with pouch.

- Get free KOSÉ SEKKISEI samples -

Excited to try the new KOSÉ SEKKISEI Free Type and Effective Type skincare products? Get a set of free samples before committing to a full purchase! You can redeem them via all the channels listed below (limited to 1 set per customer. While stocks last).

KOSÉ’s new SEKKISEI Free Type and Effective Type skincare products will be officially launched in Singapore on 16 September 2020. Get them at major departmental stores (BHG, Isetan, Metro, OG & Robinsons) , Welcia-BHG, Don Don Donki and the KOSÉ flagship store on Lazada.