原材料

Sake

Rice Ferment Filtrate

Let's make a toast to toned/supple skin and radiant complexions. Kanpai! 

Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, in a process similar to, though slightly more complicated than, beer or wine making. Sake first appeared over 1500 years ago, when a classical historical text, the Book of Wei, first noted its consumption during Japanese mourning ceremonies.

How is sake made?

The first step in sake making is polishing the rice to remove the bran, before it is washed, soaked and then steamed. Good-quality water plays a key role, as mineral content can significantly affect the quality of finished sake. Koji, a special type of mould, is then added to begin the fermentation process. Once fermented, the mixture is pressed to separate the sake, which is usually pasteurised using heat. At Lush we use a fermented rice liquid, developed for cosmetic use not regular sake consumption. It is formulated to contain higher levels of amino acids and other nutrients, making it even more beneficial for use in skincare. 

What are the benefits of using sake in cosmetics?

• Glowy luminous skin
• Super softener
• Tones pores

The story goes that workers in sake breweries have hands so soft and youthful that you'd be hard-pressed to guess their true age. Geishas reportedly bathe in sake-infused water to achieve silky, supple skin, and they're also thought to use it to tone the skin before applying makeup. Sake contains enzymes and nutrients that gently lift dead skin cells and care for our microbiome. The result? A luminous complexion, and skin smooth as silk. 

Where does Lush source sake?

Lush* source sake from a producer in Tokyo, Japan.

*With several manufacturing sites across the globe, this information may vary depending on where your Lush products were made.