When it comes to longevity and radiant skin, the Japanese island of Okinawa always tops the list. This little gem in southern Japan is known not only for the incredible life expectancy of its inhabitants, but also for the luminous, natural beauty of its women.

Their secret? A diet and beauty routine inspired by the gifts of the sea. Among these, a special place is occupied by a particular algae found in this very area, also known as "Mooi algae ."

The crystal-clear, pristine waters surrounding Okinawa are rich in minerals , making them the ideal habitat for seaweed with extraordinary properties. Seaweed is not only a cornerstone of the local culinary tradition, but also a valuable cosmetic ingredient , rich in antioxidants and vitamins beneficial for the skin.

Algae have long been appreciated in cosmetics for their main characteristic as marine plants: that of being able to retain water for a very long time, helping the skin stay well hydrated throughout the day.

Furthermore, seaweed is rich in minerals and nutrients that are valuable for the skin and body, which is why it's widely used in Japanese cuisine. The overlap between cooking and cosmetics is no coincidence: often, what's beneficial to our bodies when we eat it can have equally beneficial properties for our skin.

Mooi algae, in particular, helps us counteract the effects of stress , protecting the stratum corneum, the most superficial layer of the skin and the one most exposed to the external environment, from roughness and fragility.

It's well known that psychological stress can be reflected in our skin, which in particularly difficult times can suddenly show irritation, acne, blemishes, or dermatitis. This reminds us that skin care isn't simply a matter of aesthetics: our skin is a mirror of our inner selves , and taking care of it means loving ourselves.

The Gifts of Water in Japanese Culture

Water, in all its forms, has always played a central role in Japanese skincare. Besides the sea, onsen , the natural hot springs that flow throughout the country, have been considered a source of beauty and longevity for centuries.

Onsen offer more than just relaxation: each hot spring has a unique mineral composition, including sulfur, magnesium, calcium, iron, and silica. Onsen water ( onsen-sui ) has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect, ideal for sensitive skin: it soothes redness, reduces inflammation, and promotes the balance of the skin's microbiome, the set of microorganisms that live on the skin, helping to keep it healthy and protected.

Like Okinawan seaweed, onsen also help us reduce stress, acting both externally, on the skin, and internally, promoting psychophysical well-being.

The benefits of water in Fujihada products

The Japanese brand GOSHU is based in Toyama Prefecture, on the island of Honshu. This unique region is surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty: the majestic Northern Japan Alps, which reach 3,000 meters in altitude, and the deep Toyama Bay, which reaches a depth of 1,000 meters.

These pristine resources are the basis for a wide range of GOSHU health and beauty products. Thanks to the natural reservoirs in the mountains and the aquifers of Toyama Bay—among the purest in the world—extraordinarily high-quality water is produced.

Especially in summer, a perfect product to always have with you is GOSHU's Natural Onsen Water Mist : a facial mist made with thermal spring water derived from melting snow in the Northern Japanese Alps.

We also recommend LUQUE , the Japanese skincare line from Naris Cosmetics, which has integrated Mooi algae into its formulations to counteract transepidermal evaporation caused by psychological stress.