Unlock Radiant, Youthful Skin with Sakekasu: Rice Lee Extract's Brightening and Softening Power
Have you heard of Sakekasu, a time-tested Japanese beauty ingredient? Derived from the sake brewery process, Sakekasu (さけかす）is rich in skin-nourishing components such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals. For years, it has been a staple in Japanese skincare for its natural skin-enhancing properties.
Personally, I enjoy using a Sakekasu mask once a week as a gentle yet effective way to achieve a healthy, glowing skin✨
Let's explore the incredible world of Sakekasu, and discover its true potential for nourishing and brightening your complexion!
In This Post,
What Is Sakekasu, Rice Lee Extract?
To appreciate the origins of Sakekasu, it is important to learn about sake, the traditional Japanese rice wine produced through a centuries-old process in Japan.
The sake brewing process is a meticulous and time-honored tradition that can be broken down into several key steps:
Rice preparation: The rice is polished to remove the outer layers, leaving its the starchy core. (The extent to which the layers are removed determines the type of sake produced, each with unique flavors. You may have heard of terms like Dai-Ginjo or Ginjo, which are sake classifications based on the percentage of rice polishing.)
Rice steaming: The polished rice is then steamed, making it more suitable for the brewing process.
Koji cultivation: Koji, a type of fungus, is carefully cultivated on a portion of the steamed rice. This koji-fungus converts the rice starch into sugars.
Yeast starter: A yeast starter, called "shubo" (酒母) is created by mixing koji, steamed rice, water, and yeast.
Fermentation: The yeast starter is combined with the remaining steamed rice, koji, and water in a larger tank. This mixture, called "moromi" (もろみ), ferments for several weeks.
Pressing: The fermented moromi is pressed to separate the liquid sake from the solids.
This solid part that is filtered out is indeed our key ingredient, Sakekasu!
The liquid portion continues its journey to become the cherished Japanese alcoholic beverage known as sake.
Filtration and aging: The sake is filtered to remove any remaining impurities. It may then be aged to develop flavor and character.
Bottling: Finally, the sake is bottled and ready to be enjoyed 🍶
Sakekasu is a versatile ingredient that goes beyond its role in skincare. Sakekasu can be used for marinating fish, meat, and vegetables, adding an umami-rich flavor to dishes. It also serves as the base for a traditional, sweet Japanese drink called Amazake (I love to use a small amount of Amazake in my morning smoothie as a natural sweetner).
You can easily come across Sakekasu products like below in grocery stores in Japan. It's a rich source of nutrients, including peptides, dietary fiber, vitamins B, and minerals, which can provide numerous health benefits.
Sakekasu in Japanese Skincare
The use of Sakekasu in skincare originates from the observation that sake brewers tend to have beautiful skin on their hands due to their constant exposure to sake lees. This discovery led skincare companies to conduct further research, ultimately confirming that Sakekasu's rich nutrients offer remarkable benefits for skin health and beauty.
Amino Acids
Sakekasu contains amino acids that help increase collagen production, supporting skin elasticity. These amino acids also have excellent moisturizing properties, protecting the skin from dryness and preventing wrinkles.
Vitamins
The vitamin B group, found in sakekasu, is vital for healthy skin, promoting skin metabolism and supporting skin cell turnover and renewal.
Minerals
Minerals are essential components for our cellular activities, and topically applying mineral-rich ingredients like Sakekasu can provide benefits such as wound healing, reduced inflammation, increased collagen production, and protection against sun damage.
Kojic Acid
Known to suppress melanin production, kojic acid aids in brightening hyperpigmentation and improving dull complexions.
Ferulic Acid
This potent antioxidant helps protect the skin from sun damage and environmental stressors while promoting an even skin tone.
Sakekasu's nutrient-rich profile makes it an excellent choice for all skin types. Its diverse composition offers numerous nourishing benefits, with its distinct ability to brighten and revitalize skin!
"Sakekasu" Fermentation Mask
Ready to incorporate Sakekasu into your routine?
There are many Sakekasu skincare products in the Japanese market. In particular, my favorite is Lekarka's Sakekasu Fermentation Mask.
Sakekasu in this mask is sourced from a traditional sake brewery in Saga Prefecture, containing kojic acid, ferulic acid, and albumin. It's excellent for hydration and brightening, making it perfect for those struggling with dehydrated, dull skin. Every time I use it, I notice an instant glow and radiance.
This unique mask combines Sakekasu as the base ingredient with a small amount of citric and lactic acids for a gentle exfoliating experience. Additional rare ingredients, such as Spirulina Maxima Extract and Swiftlet Nest Extract, work synergistically to further support skin rejuvenation and enhance overall skin health.
Spirulina Maxima Extract
This nourishing mask harnesses the power of spirulina maxima extract, a nutrient-rich superfood, derived from a unique species of blue-green algae found in the volcanic lakes of the Canary Islands.
Thriving in an environment with extreme salinity fluctuations, these algae have evolved to utilize sunlight for self-repair. The extracted enzymes from these algae enable skin repair in the presence of light, making them highly effective in combating the effects of daily stressors like fluorescent lighting and blue rays, ultimately promoting healthier skin.
Swiftlet Nest Extract
Swiftlet nest extract is high in antioxidants, collagen and amino acids. It also contains sialic acid, which plays a crucial role in activating skin cell receptors. When used in conjunction with stem cell growth factor products, sialic acid enhances cell activation triggered by these growth factors, optimizing the skin's natural rejuvenation process.
By combining these rare and innovative ingredients with the time-honored power of Sakekasu, the Fermentation Mask delivers brighter and more radiant skin with each use!
How to Use:
2-3 times a week
⚠️ Keep refrigerated after opening.
Apply a grape-sized amount to clean, dry skin, ensuring a thin layer covers your entire face.
Leave on for 2-10 minutes before rinsing with cool or lukewarm water. Gently pat your face dry.
Continue with your regular skincare routine, starting with toner, serum, and moisturizer.
Suitable for both morning and evening use, apply whenever your skin needs a brightening boost, up to 2-3 times a week.
Takeaway on Sakekasu in Japanese Skincare
Sakekasu has been a popular skincare ingredient in Japan due to its numerous benefits. Derived from the sake brewing process, sakekasu is rich in nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
These components work to brighten, moisturize and protect the skin from environmental damage. Sakekasu's standout feature is its ability to inhibit melanin production, making it a natural choice for brightening the complexion and addressing hyperpigmentation and dullness.
As a gentle and natural ingredient, sakekasu is suitable for all skin types, making it an ideal way to reset and refresh your skin. It's one of my favorite way to reset my skin for brighter glow!
Have you tried any sakekasu skincare products? Which one is your favorite?
I hope this overview has helped you understand the benefits of sakekasu and encourage you to experiment with different products to achieve that radiant, glowing skin!
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