Cow Brand Soap Kyoshinsha Co., Ltd. (Joto-ku, Osaka) has launched "AKA," a skincare brand born from soap research. A facial cleansing soap, a toner and an emulsion will go on sale at various e-commerce malls on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The company announced it on September 18.
The lineup is AKA Balancing Soap (facial cleansing soap, 80g), AKA Balancing Lotion (toner, 150mL) and AKA Balancing Milk (emulsion, 100g). On the Cow Brand Soap official online store, the cleansing soap is ¥1,540 (tax included), and the toner and emulsion are ¥3,080 (tax included) each.
Focusing on skin-friendly bacteria, in three steps: balance, replenish, protect
According to the company, AKA is skincare that focuses on the skin's beautiful-skin bacteria (*). Through three steps, "balance" with the cleansing soap, "replenish" with the toner and "protect" with the emulsion, it says the line cleanses and moisturizes while protecting these bacteria (*). The brand's proposition is to "trust the strength we are born with, and nurture it with care."
* Resident skin bacteria that exist on everyone's skin and are the key to beautiful skin
The cleansing soap uses a proprietary cleansing base; the toner and emulsion contain skin-conditioning ingredients
AKA Balancing Soap is a cleansing soap made with the company's proprietary "beautiful-skin base" (cleansing ingredient). Its moisturizing ingredients are ceramide NP, penetrating (to the stratum corneum) hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, squalane and milk fat. The company explains that the creamy foam washes while leaving the skin's beautiful-skin bacteria (*) in place, and leaves skin smooth.
AKA Balancing Lotion and AKA Balancing Milk contain a vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl glucoside) as a skin-conditioning ingredient. Their moisturizing ingredients are ceramide NP, penetrating (to the stratum corneum) hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and squalane. Both are said to make fine lines caused by dryness less noticeable, and have undergone efficacy evaluation testing.
All three share a "soothing fresh floral" scent made with natural fragrances, and the toner and emulsion are lightly scented. The formulas are free of parabens, synthetic colorants, petroleum-based surfactants, UV absorbers and alcohol (ethanol), and have passed skin allergy tests, patch tests by people with sensitive skin, and stinging tests. This does not mean that no one will experience allergies or skin irritation.
The developer describes a "subtractive approach"; the brand movie is scheduled for release on October 1
Gen Fujimatsu, manager of the marketing department at Cow Brand Soap, explains that the team arrived at a "subtractive approach" that conditions the skin just enough while protecting its beautiful-skin bacteria (*). He also said, "The thing we spent the most time on was achieving that while also making it pleasant to use. We redesigned the scent as a new, skincare-appropriate one while carrying over elements of the red box."
The brand movie is scheduled for release on October 1, and stars Mao Asahina.
AKA prices, release date and where to buy
- Product names: AKA Balancing Soap (facial cleansing soap) / AKA Balancing Lotion (toner) / AKA Balancing Milk (emulsion)
- Size: Soap 80g / Lotion 150mL / Milk 100g
- Price: Soap ¥1,540 (tax included) + shipping / Lotion ¥3,080 (tax included) + shipping / Milk ¥3,080 (tax included) + shipping (all are Cow Brand Soap official online store prices)
- Release date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Pre-orders on the Cow Brand Soap official online store and Amazon from Friday, September 18, 2026
Sales on Rakuten and Yahoo! Shopping begin Thursday, October 1, 2026 - Retailers (online): Cow Brand Soap official online store, Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping (sold exclusively online)
Cow Brand Soap Kyoshinsha was founded in 1909 (Meiji 42). It markets the "Cow Brand" line, including the Red Box and Blue Box, and has recently expanded its product development into body care, face care and hair care.
Image: courtesy of Cow Brand Soap Kyoshinsha Co., Ltd.
Figure: tokila editorial team
