Kao

Kao traces its history to 1887, when Tomiro Nagase opened Nagase Shoten, a Western-style sundries shop in Tokyo. In 1890 he launched Kao Sekken, a high-quality facial soap, and the name 'Kao' (a homophone of 'face' in Japanese) has stayed with the company ever since. The business adopted the name Kao Corporation in 1985.

Kao has grown into one of Japan's largest consumer-goods companies, making household, personal care and beauty products built on in-house research. Its beauty portfolio spans skincare, sun care and relaxation products sold across Asia and beyond.

Three Kao brands feature in our edit. Bioré's UV Aqua Rich sunscreens are loved for their light, watery textures. Curél, launched in Japan in 1999, focuses on dry, sensitive skin with ceramide-focused care. MegRhythm makes Gentle Steam Eye Masks that warm up gently when opened, for a relaxing moment at the end of the day.

For shoppers, Kao is classic Japanese drugstore care. Use Bioré sunscreen as the last step each morning, Curél for a gentle cleansing and moisturising routine, and a MegRhythm mask before bed or on long flights. These are the kind of practical, well-made products Japanese shoppers reach for daily, and they're an easy, affordable way to add Japanese care to your routine. Bioré's watery textures in particular feel light in hot, humid weather.