Say hello to radiant skin: 3 women road test a 126 year-old J-beauty essence

Many of us dream of radiant skin. Who doesn't want skin that glows and looks rejuvenated all the time? However, it's not easy to attain this as there are many everyday things that can damage our skin, such as sun exposure or eating foods bad for our skin. Our skin does have the power to self-restore, though, by going through the regeneration process. This is done by shedding skin cells so that fresh ones take over, which is why scars and blemishes get lighter over time.

Shiseido's new Eudermine Activating Essence gives skin restoration a boost so that you'll look radiant every single day. The ingredients are specially chosen to unlock your skin's full potential to recharge and renew itself. It also removes impurities for that added vibrance to your skin.

Shiseido's innovative essence lotion

Eudermine was Shiseido's first cosmetic product, launched in 1897. It has a history of being used in Japanese beauty rituals and was popular with geishas who used it to protect their skin under heavy makeup. The essence lotion gained popularity as 'Shiseido's Red Water' and the formulation has been continually improved over the years.

The current form of Eudermine was launched in 1997 to mark the centenary of its creation. With 126 years of evolution, it's a product that has stood the test of time and made better with every iteration. 

Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence contains a double dose of hyaluronic acid, promising 24 hours of deep hydration. Vitamin C clarifies, brightens and evens complexion, while yuzu extract recharges skin’s moisture. The product also contains fermented kefir extract, an exclusive prebiotic that strengthens skin's barrier function and promotes its cell turnover cycle.

To top it off, it's formulated with micro particles of oil, which are 1/100 the size of emulsions so they're able to penetrate deep into the skin to provide long-lasting moisture.

Sustainable packaging

While the formulation might be steeped in the past, Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence is sold in packaging that is beneficial for the future. It comes in a refillable container, thus reducing waste by 92% and having a positive environmental impact. The brand uses the LiquiForm® refillable container, a technology for manufacturing bottles and filling them with liquid content. Containers made with this technology reduce CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain and its single-material design means it's also highly recyclable.

Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence should be used every morning and evening, after cleansing. You may use the tapping method to increase blood flow for more effective results. Alternatively, you can also pour the lotion on the brand’s facial cotton and smooth gently over skin.

7-Day Road Test

Does the new Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence live up to its claims? We got three women with different skin types to try Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence for a week, evaluating its effects daily and over time. Read on to find out if the clarifying concoction was the magic formula their skin needed.

Mary Victor, 26, makeup artist, body neutrality advocate and influencer

About my skin:

“I used to have cystic acne due to hormones but my current skin concern is oily, acne prone, as well as dry patches with breakouts and inflammation with redness at certain spots. I hope to achieve more hydrated, balanced and less inflamed skin/redness with this product.”

My first impression:

"My first impression of Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence was that it's very easy to apply. It's thicker than I expected but it glides beautifully on the skin and absorbs instantly too. Although the scent is strong, it feels very calming and doesn’t trigger sensitive skin."

Day four:

"On day two, I woke up with hydrated, glowy skin. By day four, my skin was softer, with my hyperpigmentation starting to look slightly less dark. It was on day five that I felt my skin glowed the most and my redness started to show less. My skin was calmer by the end of day six and makeup looked fantastic on my skin!"

Final thoughts:

I'd recommend this product to family and friends, even to those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. It has quite a unique, pleasant texture and I think it would work for most skin types. It’s quite effective in locking in deep hydration and it's best to use it at night so you'll wake up with hydrated, healthier skin.”

Faz Gaffa, 36, digital marketer

About my skin:

“I have eczema-prone skin, with both dry and oily areas. I also have hyperpigmentation and I think my skin is dehydrated all the time. I'm looking for more skin clarity with this product.”

My first impression:

"I love Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence's sleek, beautiful packaging. The product is a thicker essence than I'm used to but I used it with my moisturiser and felt like it was a hydrating skincare regimen. The scent wasn’t overpowering."

Day Four:

"By day four, I was pleased to wake up with more supple skin. It was even more supple the next day. My skin felt more hydrated on day six and I felt that it enhanced the results of the Profhilo I’d done two weeks before that!"

Final thoughts:

"Overall, while it’ll take consistent use over a longer period of time to notice visible changes, I can definitely attest to its hydrating and clarifying benefits. A little goes a long way and you should layer it under your water-based moisturiser for extra oomph!”

Jasmine Lin, 33, project manager

About my skin:

“I have dehydrated, oily skin with enlarged pores and pigmentation. I want to achieve brighter skin, hydration and reduced pigmentation with this product.”

My first impression:

"I love the luxurious packaging and the product was easy to dispense from the bottle. I'm glad to see that it offers a refill. While there’s fragrance added, the scent dissipated after a minute or two of application. The texture of the product is very smooth and lightweight, yet rich and milky. I enjoyed using it because it was easy to apply and gets absorbed easily. My skin felt smooth and supple after application."

Day 6:

"On day two, my skin was clear, supple, hydrated and not oily. By day 6, my skin continued to feel and look good due to the hydration, although there was no visible difference to pores or pigmentation."

Final thoughts:

"Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence's lightweight texture did not make my skin feel greasy, even under all the subsequent skincare and makeup products. I paired it with a lightweight moisturiser for day use and a rich nighttime moisturiser for additional hydration. This did not affect the breathability of my skin.

Overall, it seems like a product that can be easily mixed and matched with any existing products in one's skincare routine, with no major concerns about conflicting active ingredients.

My skin's hydration has improved, with reduced oiliness throughout the day. It also maintained an overall matte-to-satin finish on my skin at the end of the day.”

Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence (145ml) is priced at $145 and Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence Refill (145ml) is $122, available from shiseido.com.sg.