This Japanese Beauty Multi-Use Oil is a Hydrating Wonder for the Face, Body, Scalp & Hair
Japanese beauty is back in the limelight after years in K-beauty’s shadow. If you didn’t know, J-beauty walked so K-beauty could run. Indeed, you may not know it, but some of your favourite beauty products probably hail from Japan: From rice powder as a makeup setter and mattifier, to the original red lip, the Japanese beauty pedigree goes back to the sixth century. Now, as minimalism begins to trend once again, beauty experts have declared a return to the more refined, minimalist and sustainable approach that characterises Japanese beauty.
The return to simpler routines couldn’t come at a better time as J-beauty giant Shiseido gears up to launch a new product to its widely used (and much loved) Ultimune franchise. When it comes to skincare innovations, Shiseido is at the forefront of boosting skin resilience. The Japanese brand’s Ultimune Power Infusing Serum has been a go-to for those in the know to address common skin issues such as premature ageing, fine lines, dryness, acne, and irritation, with its cutting-edge technology.
For this new launch, Shiseido brings that same skin barrier saving power to its Ultimune Power Infusing Oil. The water-based oil promises to not only help with skin radiance on the face and body but also harnesses Ultimune’s fortifying abilities to treat the scalp and give hair a glossy shine.
Shiseido Ultimune’s potency lies in its active ingredients. The powerful formula is based on the Japanese camellia flower. Grown in harsh conditions on Goto Island, the regenerative plant helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, which is key to healthy, balanced skin that ages well. Ultimune’s bio-fermented camellia seed oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids (omega-6) and squalene, which help keep the skin hydrated, as do vitamins A, B, and E, which are essential for skin health.
It also contains polyphenols and flavonoids, which offer powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help fight free radicals. That famous moisture magnet hyaluronic acid also plays a role in the formula along with new buzz ingredient, ectoin, to nourish dry skin. Ecotin, binds to water (in the same way hyaluronic acid does) to protect skin cells against damage. It provides a nourishing, stabilising, and hydrating shell around skin cells to reduce oxidative stress.
Together, these ingredients in a lightweight oil formula, help to visibly reduce the signs of ageing and promote radiant-looking hair and skin. The tiny molecular size of Ultimune’s ingredients, along with its lightweight consistency, help the oil absorb into the skin quickly. This highly absorbable formula ensures these powerful ingredients perform with absolute potency wherever they’re applied.
Hands-on with Ultimune Power Infusing Oil
Full disclosure, I am a beauty oil fan girl. What’s not to love about a good skin oil? Its versatility is undeniable and if you struggle with dry skin there’s nothing quite as hardworking as a beauty oil.
As we age, our skin tends to become dry and often sensitive. A lightweight plant-based oil like this has the same molecular structure as the natural oil our skin produces, so it works in synergy to strengthen the skin’s outer layer, fortifying its barrier while sealing in moisture. Not just for dry skin, plant oils can actually help regulate overzealous oil production, making them suitable for oily or acne-prone skin too.
This new Ultimune Power Infusing Oil absorbs into the skin in seconds, without leaving a greasy residue. It’s so lightweight it has an almost water-like texture. If you’re not usually a fan of oils, you need to give this one a go because I’m confident it will change your mind about beauty oils. Plus, with its fresh citrus-floral scent, you’re skin smells amazing every time you apply the product.
I’ve been using this oil for the last 3 weeks and it’s made such a difference to my skin and my scalp. My skin gets an instant healthy glow after every application. For the face, you press it into your skin day or night (as you would a serum). The oil works brilliantly as a final step/moisturiser. I’ve stripped down my skincare routine to just four Shiseido products day and night. I cleanse with the Clarifying Cleansing Foam, next I use the Treatment Softener before applying the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum. I seal in all the goodness with a beautiful face massage using 2-3 drops of the Ultimune Power Infusing Oil. The good news? The oil plays nicely with other products you layer on top and is a great base for makeup.
On the body (especially the legs), the oil leaves a hydrating sheen, en-robbing the skin with the beautiful fresh scent, while a few drops in your bath will give dry skin a new lease on life.
But, it’s my hair and scalp where I’ve seen the most dramatic results with this incredible oil. When applied to dry hair, Ultimune Power Infusing Oil helps to reduce frizz and add instant shine to locks. My thirsty curly hair laps up this oil and I’m always amazed at how soft my hair feels shortly after working the oil through my mid-section and ends. I use on full dropper on my hair.
On my psoriasis-plagued scalp, there’s nothing quite like this oil. I apply the oil on my scalp a minimum of 30-minutes before shampooing, paying careful attention to apply a drop of oil directly to flare up spots. I follow the application with a short full scalp massage to evenly distribute the product on the scalp and then wrap my hair in a silk scarf to the let the oil work its magic.
After 3 weeks of weekly scalp treatments the Ultimune Power Infusing Oil has helped me calm down one of the worst scalp psoriasis flareups I’ve experienced in years. This flareup had spread to my eyebrows and my hair line was inflammed and sensitive to touch. After months of trying every product under the sun, Ultimune Power Infusing Oil finally brought me some relief. Needless to say, it will be a favourite for life.
My skin and hair have been absolutely loving this new J-beauty routine using the Shiseido range of products. If you’re looking for the ultimate in J-beauty products then you can’t go wrong with some spoils from Shiseido. If you can only pick one product it has to be the Ultimune Power Infusing Oil. It’s a multi-benefit champion of hydration, packed with ingredients your skin, scalp, and hair will adore.
Find Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Oil at ARC and Woolworths.
