Off the southernmost tip of Japan’s mainland lies Okinawa, an archipelago of wondrously clear water, white-sand beaches, and lush, verdant vegetation. Aside from its natural beauty, Okinawa is home to some of the most abundant coral reefs, incredible wildlife, vibrant blossoms—and some of the healthiest people in the world. Recognized as a Blue Zone, Okinawa is famed for the health, vitality, and happiness of its inhabitants, who happen to enjoy some of the longest average lifespans in the world.
The astounding longevity of its citizens can be attributed to their activity—Okinawa is the birthplace of karate—as well as their plant-based, nutrient-rich diet. Surrounded by water, Okinawans have much respect for the ocean and its bounties, and make use of its many offerings in their daily life, from omega-rich fish in meals to red algae in their religious ceremonies. Known as a “treasure from the god of the sea,” this same red algae is a key ingredient in many of our skincare formulas, like The Dewy Skin Cream. With the belief that what is good for the body is good for the skin, Okinawans have included many other local oceanic finds in their beauty rituals as well.
One such beauty secret includes kucha, a clay found only in the central and southern seas of these islands. This soil was blessed by marine life, enriching it with minerals and nutrients five million years old. For centuries, Okinawan women have cherished this clay for its superb oil-absorbing properties, using it as a hair powder or face mask. We chose this beloved kucha clay to act as the base of The Clarifying Clay Mask, our sensorial face mask that will help return harmony to your skin.
We paired the clarifying and oil-absorbing properties of Okinawa kucha clay with gently exfoliating Japanese konjac (a starchy root vegetable) and warming Japanese volcanic ash to create this innovative clay mask. The Clarifying Clay Mask works in three minutes to help your skin let go of excess oil and sebum, leaving behind only essential moisture. Ideal for oily and combination skin, this mask helps reveal a complexion as clear and beautiful as Okinawa itself, with smoother texture, visibly tighter pores, and a soft, hydrated feel. We hope this timeless offering helps transport you to this wondrous island, if only for a few moments.
Victoria Tsai
Chief Treasure Hunter
