Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Sofina Beauté

by PJ on Friday, April 17, 2009

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Kao, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(image from www.sofina.co.jp/beaute)

A few readers have requested that I highlight one of Sofina’s latest skincare ranges, Sofina Beauté. Here is a brief profile of the line, which I hope would be helpful for you.

Sofina Beauté was launch in January 2008. It is positioned as Sofina’s anti-aging skincare range for those in their 30s and 40s. (Meanwhile, Vital Rich is targeted at those in their 40s, and Grace Sofina is marketed towards those in their 50s and beyond.)

The main claim of the line is that the products are formulated to improve the penetration of the ingredients and to be able to reach the “core” of the skin. According the press release from Kao, some of the ingredients in the products are ginger extract, citron extract, and eucalyptus extract.

The range features a full lineup of basic skincare products, which include:

– four makeup removers (oil, cream, gel, and foam)
– two face washes (foaming and non-foaming)
– four toners (I being the least emollient and IV being the most emollient)
– one skin-firming serum
– four night-time moisturizers (three emulsions and one cream)
– four daytime moisturizers (two with SPF 24, PA+++ and two with SPF 50, PA+++)
– eye mask sheets

The prices of the products are similar to those of the existing Sofina skincare products. (The night-time emulsion is 3675 JPY (about 37 USD).)

I haven’t tried products from this range so I don’t really have any first-hand experience. One reason is the alcohol, which is a recurring issue with many Japanese skincare products. (You can see the ingredient lists of the night-time emulsion (II) and the makeup removal cream here and here. The emulsion has too much alcohol and my skin will certainly not be able to tolerate the product.) I have not had a chance to see all the ingredient lists so I don’t know precisely which other products also contain alcohol.

If you have had a chance to try products from Sofina Beauté, do please leave your comment and let us know what you think of them. Thank you very much!

Related posts:

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

Skincare Genre Focus: Whitening Products

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

miss_waterlily Friday, April 17, 2009

Im curious about this line as well,the packaging is quite pretty,never tried it though,for the same reason as u–the alcohol lol!

Btw,I saw ur previous posts,just wanna say something about HABA.I tried a few products and to be honest was not too impressed.I know people rave about their vc lotion and white lady,however I found them fairly ineffective and not pleasurable to use.

Love your blog!

kelly from uk
xxxx

Reply

PJ Monday, April 20, 2009

Hi Kelly,

Thank you very much for telling me about HABA, as I have not tried HABA’s products before.

I know. I wish there weren’t this many skincare products from Japanese brands that contain alcohol. (A few alcohol-free products from Japanese brands are actually very good…)

Thank you for posting your comment! :)

Reply

winterberry-gal Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Hi PJ,

do you know of any Japanese skincare products that do not contain alcohol?

I have a few samples of Sofina Beauté. I’ll go try out and review here.

Cheers!

Reply

PJ Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hi Winterberry-gal,

Most of Kanebo Freeplus’ products do not contain alcohol. Also, I presume most products from Shiseido d Program and FANCL don’t contain alcohol either.

You can have a look at my post on Kanebo Freeplus here.

Thank you for stopping by again! :)

Reply

Avril Saturday, April 25, 2009

Hi,
I’m currently using the sunscreen from this line. I have to say that it’s so awesome. It has SPF PA ++++, which it is the best u can get out in the market as far as I know. Usually, when the sunscreen has such high SPF protection, it will be super greasy; however, sofina’s sunscreen is not greasy at all. It’s so light that you can’t feel like that you are wearing sunscreen. I highly recommend it, but I don’t know where to buy it in the US. I have to ask my friends to send them to me in Asia.

=)

Avril

Reply

PJ Monday, April 27, 2009

Hi Avril,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

You probably know Sofina’s Very Very UV Cut Milk. I used to use it and liked it very much when I used to live in a very warm and humid climate. It does have alcohol, but my skin was fine with it in that particular climate. It is very lightweight as well and suited my oily skin, but I don’t think I will be able to use it in the UK (purely due to the climate difference). I am glad you enjoy the sunscreen from the Beauté line. :)

There are a couple of sites that carry Sofina Beauté and ship internationally. Do let me know if you are interested in them.

Thank you very much for posting your comment! :)

Reply

winterberry-gal Friday, May 8, 2009

I’m back to give my review on Sofina Beauté product range. I’ve only had the sample for Sofina Beaute Wrinkle Essence.

It has a very slight warm sensation upon application. It is a rather thick milky translucent texture, and not watery as I expected.

Results weren’t great. Fine lines shown no improvement. Perhaps the small sachet isn’t enough to see results.

Reply

PJ Friday, May 8, 2009

Hi Winterberry-gal,

Thank you so much for your review!

Indeed, sometimes it is very difficult to tell how effective a skincare product is from the sample. I usually try samples mainly to see whether I like the texture and whether the product suits my skin type. Your description of the texture is certainly helpful. :)

Many thanks again for sharing your thoughts! :)

Reply

Ming Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I am wondering if you will do a review on Sofina's Hada-ka line as well?

I heard it's for sensitive skin and is quite interested.

Reply

PJ Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Hi Ming,

Thank you very much for your request. Even though I have not tried products from the Hada.Ka range, I will try to write a similar collection profile post like this one. I will be posting it next month. :)

Thank you very much for stopping by again! :)

Reply

V. Lavender Monday, March 28, 2011

I bought the Sofina beaute line a couple of weeks ago after reading your blog. I LOVE it. I’ll post up a review soon but the products are extremely gentle and one of the best skincare line I’ve ever used. Thanks for featuring this on your blog! :)

P.S. I LOVE your blog!

Reply

PJ Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Hi V. Lavender,

You are very welcome! I just read your review of the products, and I am pleased that they are working well for you.

Thank you very much for posting your comment! :)

Reply

Iris Sunday, October 30, 2011

Where can I buy Sofina’s product in Malaysia?

Reply

PJ Monday, October 31, 2011

Hi Iris,

I am not sure if Sofina is available in Malaysia. If you are interested in purchasing Sofina’s items on-line, please have a look at my FAQ page:

http://www.atouchofblusher.com/faq

Hope it helps, and thank you for your question! :)

Reply

Leave a Comment

Please note that information on purchasing Japanese cosmetics on-line can be found on my FAQ page.

Thank you very much!

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