Washing mayu (silk cocoons) makes your hands beautiful

(Mayu arauba tiga kyorasaya)

This is a beautiful saying passed down in the Amami region, famous for Oshima tsumugi silk. It is said that even after being exposed to strong sunlight and sea breezes, the hands of the women who handle the silk cocoons remain lustrous and beautiful—hence this expression.

A silk-based cosmetic line I discovered in my 40s, just as I began to notice changes in my skin. It transformed the "chore" of daily skincare into "a time to look forward to"—SILK by ADAN.

Why is silk good for your skin?

Did you know that silk, a luxury fiber, has long been treasured in beauty care as well?

Products designed to remove dirt from the skin generally contain surfactants, which leave the skin feeling clean after washing. However, because they also introduce various chemical ingredients onto the skin, they can strip away even the cells the skin needs, causing the stratum corneum to thicken with continued use. This, in turn, is said to lead to rough skin, noticeable dullness, and other skin troubles.

The proteins and amino acids contained in silk supply the skin with the components it needs without excessive cleansing, which is why silk is used in high-end cosmetics. The manufacturing process is simple as well—these are cosmetics born from a home kitchen, reflecting a nature-oriented philosophy centered on the user. In this article, I'll share my impressions after actually using silk grown on the nature-rich island of Amami Oshima, along with tips on how to use it.

~Simple care completed with just 4 items~

✓ Generously blended with silk from Amami Oshima

✓ Simple, reassuring ingredients
✓ Suitable for the whole family
✓ Great value compared to department store cosmetics

A gentle guide to nurturing your skin

SILK by ADAN is a truly unique skincare line unlike any other. Here are the basic 4 items.

・[No.1 Cleansing Cream / No.4 Moisturizing Cream]

・[No.2 Treatment & Off]

・[No.3 Lotion (Three Layer Lotion)]

・[Essential Serum]

The product labels are numbered No.1 through No.4, corresponding to the order of use. They look alike, so you tell them apart by number. No.1 is the cleansing cream, and it also doubles as the final moisturizing cream in your routine—so it's essentially one product with two roles.

[No.1 Cleansing Cream / No.4 Moisturizing Cream]

One cream, two roles: a versatile multi-purpose cream

Unlike the conventional idea of "removing dirt," this cream uses "materials that care for the skin," maintaining the moisture your skin needs while also functioning as a cream.

★Secrets to Using It Well★

The key is to care for your skin gently, touching it softly without applying pressure from your fingers or palms.

・With your middle finger, trace along the nasolabial folds toward your temples
・Around the eyes, glide gently from the inner corner to the outer corner
・On the forehead, massage upward in small circular motions
・Gently pinch your ears between your index and middle fingers to loosen the area around them
・Use your palms to sweep from beneath the ears down to the neck

Treat every corner of your face gently and with care

[No.2 Treatment & Off]

A non-foaming treatment cleanser

Use this after cleansing. With continued use, your skin becomes smooth, supple, and plump. (Since it contains no surfactants, it does not foam.)

[No.3 Lotion (Three Layer Lotion)]

A simply formulated lotion

This lotion is made with carefully selected natural ingredients. Unlike other cosmetics that contain a range of specialized compounds, it's formulated with only about 10 ingredients each. The lotion also blends fine silk particles that hydrate the skin with tamanu oil, helping the silk absorb into the skin more efficiently.

[Essential Serum]

An all-season serum

A serum blended with silk and three types of natural oils, plus honey. It has a natural yet rich texture, making it suitable for daily care as well as care during the dry winter months. When dryness is especially noticeable, use it morning and night.

The No.1 cleansing, No.2 face wash, and No.3 Three Layer Lotion are designed to be used together so you can fully appreciate the benefits of silk (Japanese silk protein), but we recommend adding or removing items depending on the season and your skin condition.

[No.3 Lotion (Three Layer Lotion)]: In summer, UV rays and air conditioning can cause dryness, and in winter, low humidity has the same effect, so it's important to care for your skin thoroughly with lotion. The liquid separates into three layers, so shake the bottle to blend the ingredients evenly before applying it to your palm and gently pressing it over your entire face.

[No.1 Cleansing Cream / No.4 Moisturizing Cream]: Follow up lotion with moisturizing cream year-round. Take an appropriate amount and gently blend it into your skin. Use it morning and night throughout the year as the final step of your skincare routine. If you find it feels sticky, adjust the amount you use to a smaller quantity.

[Serum (Essential Serum)]: During the winter and other times when dryness is especially noticeable, layer it over your entire face, and add extra layers to areas of concern such as around the eyes and mouth.

We'll answer your questions before and when you first start using it.

Q. How long does it take to feel the effects? (This varies from person to person, so please use this only as a reference.)

Since the ideal skin renewal cycle (turnover cycle) is about 28 to 45 days, we recommend using the product for around one month first while observing how your skin responds. It's said that the turnover cycle slows down with age, and it can also be disrupted by UV exposure or skin irritation. If you're someone whose skin tends to have trouble during seasonal changes, use it as a guideline for 3 months, and then for 1 year after that.

Q. Right after applying, I notice a sensation of something remaining on the surface of my skin. Is this normal?

Yes, this sensation of something remaining on the surface is normal. As the cream penetrates the stratum corneum, part of it remains on the skin's surface and acts as a protective film.
Spread it thoroughly over your entire face and neck, cover it with your palms, and let it settle in gradually with the warmth of your hands. Also, be careful not to touch it too much during this time. (You may notice small flakes of the silk ingredient falling away—this is a characteristic of the product and not a problem.) The key is to use a smaller amount each time.

Q. Why doesn't my skin feel tight after washing my face?

This is because the face wash contains no synthetic surfactants, which can damage your skin's barrier function. Instead, it uses the natural power of silk to remove only unnecessary dirt while protecting moisture.

Q. The Treatment & Off Cream stung a little.

The Off Cream contains a higher concentration of silk. If you feel any irritation, don't force yourself to use it—you can simply rinse it off right after cleansing instead. You might also try using it just once a week, or avoid applying it to areas where your skin is more sensitive.

Q. Should I use it in the morning too?

Since sweat, oil, and dirt build up on your skin while you sleep, we recommend washing your face in the morning as well. 

Q. Can I use this even when I'm busy?

When you're busy, you can simply use the Treatment & Off like a mask and wipe it off before applying makeup. Even those busy with childcare or caregiving can complete simple skincare just by applying it. (With typical face masks, the chemicals involved can cause dryness or strain on the skin if left on too long, but this product has no such issues.)

Staff Reviews by Age Group

*Individual experiences with the product may vary.

◆Staff member in her 30s with sensitive skin

Skin type / concerns
Sensitive skin / pores / the appearance of dark spots

What I noticed while using it
I usually use moisturizing-type products. The cream has a rich texture, while the lotion and serum feel light. Right after applying, it felt as if a film of moisture had formed, and after about 30 minutes it blended completely into my skin. The result was moisturized on the inside without feeling sticky on the surface, which made it easy to apply makeup afterward. That said, since I have sensitive skin that often doesn't agree with cosmetics, there were days when I experienced temporary redness or breakouts depending on my skin's condition.

◆Staff member in her 40s who had been struggling to find the right skincare

Skin type / concerns
Sensitive/combination skin / pores / dark spots / sagging

What I noticed while using it
I used to apply lotion and wash my face in a rushed, half-hearted way, so watching the video was genuinely helpful. My skin type has mainly led me to use additive-free products. I've tried everything from organic cosmetics to drugstore brands and products prescribed by dermatologists, but I really appreciate the peace of mind and comfortable feel that comes from using something made only with natural ingredients.

◆My mother, in her 60s, with dry skin

Skin type / concerns
Sensitive/dry skin / pores / the appearance of dark spots

What she noticed while using it
She liked the subtle, naturally derived scent reminiscent of honey. Right after applying, there was a sensation of something remaining on the surface, but over time it seemed to blend all the way down into the skin, leaving plenty of moisture. After washing her face, it felt as though there was a veil over her skin, making dryness less noticeable and giving her skin a radiant finish. As for pores, she hasn't noticed any major change given her age. She feels the price is reasonable and would like to continue using it and see how things go.

Bringing radiance to every individual's skin —

This is silk cosmetics that a trusted friend recommended to me several years ago. As I grew older, I had more opportunities to think about my skin, and it was during a time when I was unsure what would be best for me that I began using it, half in doubt.

While I was using it, people kept telling me my skin looked good, but since I was trying other beauty items at the same time, I couldn't immediately tell if it was the cause. It was only when I stopped using it for a while that I realized its effect. When I started using it again and looked closely at the product label, I found the ingredients to be far simpler than most, giving a real sense of safety and reassurance. I also learned about the beauty of the skin of women on Amami Oshima, an island with a climate of strong sunlight and dryness. Knowing the background of SILK by ADAN made me love this cosmetic even more, and that is how I came to introduce it here.

Recommended for those who...

✓ Want to take good care of their bare skin
✓ Want to enjoy their skincare time
✓ Spend money on cosmetics but aren't sure whether the products they use are actually good
✓ Are interested in going to an aesthetic salon but haven't quite made the step
✓ Are in their 40s or older and interested in skincare

SILK by ADAN was born from the silk of Amami Oshima. Please try making your daily skincare time a more pleasant experience.

▶︎See the full lineup of SILK by ADAN products here