From Cup Noodles to nutricosmetics: Japan's Nissin launches probiotic and collagen beauty drink
The first beauty product by the company, Hyalmoist claims to provide moisturising benefits, reduce skin damage from UV rays, and decrease melanin production. The product has been available for sale since Monday, January 28.
Hyalmoist Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus gasseri N320), the probiotic ingredient present in the product, was selected after the firm had screened 1,000 different bacteria strains.
Hyalmoist lactobacillus works by enhancing the function of human skin cells to produce hyaluronic acid, an ingredient which has shown to improve skin suppleness.
On top of 20,000mg of Hyalmoist lactobacillus, each bottle which comes in 50ml, also contains 5,000mg of collagen and comes in a fruity peach taste.
A Nissin spokesman said that the company took 2 years and 3 months to develop the new product.
Being one of the most common bacteria found naturally in the human digestive tract, lactobacillus is used in many food products such as yogurt and supplements.
Effects after eight weeks
Improvements to the skin condition could be seen after consuming Hyalmoist for eight weeks, according to clinical studies conducted by Nissin two years ago.
One of the studies was conducted from February to May, a period when the humidity level in Japan is especially low.
Involving 44 subjects, the participants were separated into two groups.
One group drank 100ml of Hyalmoist and the other took the placebo for eight weeks.
Results showed that consuming Hyalmoist for eight weeks is able to retain moisture, especially in the cheeks and back areas.
According to another study, Hyalmoist has also shown to reduce skin inflammation arising from exposure to UV rays.
In the study, 70 participants were placed into two groups. One group took Hyalmoist in the form of capsules and the other was only given placebos. The two groups consumed either Hyalmoist or placebos daily for eight weeks.
Both groups were exposed to UV rays. The group which took two capsules of Hyalmoist daily suffered from a smaller degree of skin inflammation and tanning compared to the group which were given placebos.
Nissin's health food business
Hyalmoist is not Nissin’s first attempt to sell a product containing lactobacillus.
Nissin Yoke, the dairy product arm of the company, has started to sell Pilkul lactobacillus drink as early as 1994.
In a financial report dated 2006, the product was described as “selling well”.
At present, the Pilkul series comes in “light”, “multivitamin”, and “calcium” versions, besides the original flavour.
It has also introduced a new product “Thomas Nyusankin”, which is a lactobacillus drink for one year olds and above.
In its latest financial presentation, the revenue of Nissin Yoke was said to have dropped 3%, due to “the weak yogurt market which caused price competition, despite the strong performance of ‘PILKUL’.”
