Celebrate Our Launch.
Receive a complimentary Authentique Sample Gift of
- Authentique The Cleansing Gel Oil 42g
- Authentique The Face Wash 14g
- Authentique The Cream 4.2g
with purchases $500+
Receive a complimentary Authentique Sample Gift of
- Authentique The Cleansing Gel Oil 42g
- Authentique The Face Wash 14g
- Authentique The Essence Emulsion 42g
- Authentique The Essence Lotion 42ml
- Authentique The Cream 4.2g
with purchases $1000+
Offer valid until July 11th, 2025 11:59PM EST
The gold standard of radiance, masterfully crafted.
Envelop your skin in the pinnacle of luxury with this cream infused with pure gold leaf. Designed to enhance elasticity and energy, it nurtures your skin’s natural brilliance and leaves it glowing with vitality.
BEST SELLERS
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Kita no Hato (Hatomugi): The Super Ingredient in ALBION’s Skin Conditioner
Summer celebrations are a perfect time to enjoy the sunshine, spend time outdoors, and celebrate freedom in all its forms, including freedom from skin irritation! Whether your skin is sensitive to heat, prone to breakouts, or needs a hydration boost, Japanese beauty has a specialist answer: the skin conditioner. A J-Beauty innovation, it’s a multitasking, time-tested product that can replace the usual toner and essence, and it all started with ALBION. The Origins of Skin Conditioners in J-Beauty The very first skin conditioner as we know it today was launched by ALBION in 1974, with the debut of Skin Conditioner Essential. It wasn’t just a new product, it created an entirely new skincare category. At the time, most Japanese women used simple toners, which were often quite harsh. The ALBION skincare research team wanted to create something gentler that would help skin return to its natural balance instead of stripping it. The breakthrough came with the use of Job’s tears—hatomugi in Japanese—a centuries-old botanical used in traditional Kampo medicine to calm inflammation, aid digestion, and support the body’s natural healing process. The result was Skin Conditioner Essential, or “SkiCon” as it's affectionately known in Japan. Today, it lives on in ALBION Skin Conditioner Essential N, a refreshed formula that continues to set the standard in skin-soothing care. What Does a Skin Conditioner Do? Skin conditioners are multitasking skincare heroes. They hydrate, soften, soothe, and help improve texture, while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier and protecting against environmental stressors. Are they the same as toners? Not quite. While a skin conditioner can replace your toner, its true function is closer to a face essence. For example, ALBION Skin Conditioner Essential N addresses a wide range of concerns—from acne and oiliness to irritation and uneven texture—while also delivering long-lasting hydration and a refreshing finish. It’s incredibly versatile, too. You can use it to prevent breakouts, reduce post-shave irritation, calm sun-exposed skin, or even treat areas of dryness on the body. Job's Tears, Hatomugi, and the Power of Kita no Hato As J-Beauty continues to grow in popularity overseas, you may have come across “hatomugi skin conditioners.” Hatomugi refers to Job’s tears (also called Coix lacryma-jobi, adlay millet, or Chinese pearl barley), a grain closely related to maize. In Asian traditional medicine, Job’s tears have long been prized for its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties. This powerful cosmetic superfood is rich in antioxidants and targets skin irritation, such as acne, helps control sebum (oiliness), clears and calms the skin, reduces redness, and improves overall hydration, also offering skin-brightening effects. Ever at the forefront of science, ALBION cultivated a premium, pesticide-free variety of hatomugi grown in Japan and called Kita no Hato (“Job’s Tears of the North”). This unique breed of hatomugi offers enhanced skin benefits. It’s minimally processed using ALBION’s proprietary Bakusai method to preserve its most potent components. ALBION Skin Conditioner Essential N is the only product on the market formulated with this high-grade, organic variety of hatomugi or Job’s tears. Fun fact: It takes around 10,000 Kita no Hato seeds to extract just 30 ml of Job’s tears oil. More Than One Star Ingredient While Kita no Hato is the hero of the skin-conditioning formula, it is supported by a blend of ingredients designed to amplify its benefits: Witch hazel extract helps reduce excess oil and refine pores. Horse chestnut seed extract calms and protects the skin. Licorice root (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) enhances the formula’s soothing and brightening effects. Menthol delivers a cooling, refreshing sensation. Humectants like butylene glycol help retain moisture. Antioxidants like vitamin E (tocopherol) and glutathione provide defense against environmental stress. How to Use Skin Conditioner ALBION Skin Conditioner Essential N fits effortlessly into any skincare routine. Use it after cleansing and before your serums and moisturizer, or in place of your usual face toner or essence, before your serums and moisturizers. To use it like they do in Japanese skincare, gently pat it into the skin with your hands or a cotton pad. This method ensures better absorption and is gentle on sensitive or overheated skin. Two J-Beauty Tips to Try: Keep it chilled. Store your skin conditioner in the fridge and apply it cold. Not only will it feel amazing on the skin, but it can also help minimize pores, calm redness, and soothe heat-related irritation. Try an essence mask. Soak a compressed sheet mask or cotton pad in Skin Conditioner and leave it on your face for 3–5 minutes. This at-home facial is a popular ritual in Japan and a quick way to hydrate and rebalance the skin after sun exposure. Your Summer Skincare Companion Planning a picnic or party? The 110 ml bottle of ALBION Skin Conditioner Essential N is the perfect size to toss into your bag and refresh your skin on the go. Use it after sun exposure, post-shave, or whenever your skin feels a little overheated or out of balance. Stay refreshed, radiant, and resilient wherever your summer celebrations take you. Happy Independence Day from all of us at ALBION Garden.
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Celebrate the Summer Solstice with ALBION Skincare
Celebrate the summer solstice with ALBION skincare. Explore solstice traditions, cooling skincare tips, and our new kojic acid brightening serum.
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How to Use ALBION Skincare: Balancing Milk 101
In Japanese beauty, skincare is a ritual that layers hydration, nourishment, and care. One of the most unique steps in this ritual? The balancing milk. Despite the recent rise of milky skincare in the U.S., balancing milk is still a bit of a secret outside of Japan and Asia. But it’s one worth discovering if you’re looking for the best skincare for aging skin, glowing hydration, and stronger skin barrier. In our latest article in the How to Use ALBION Skincare series, we explored the world of J-Beauty cleansers. Today, we’ll take a closer look at balancing milk: its origin story, what it is, benefits for your skin, and how to make it part of your skincare routine. Origins of Balancing Milk Balancing milk is a Japanese skincare innovation. It dates back to 1956 when ALBION introduced its first ever balancing milk. Through years of research, ALBION discovered that applying a skin-conditioning milk lotion immediately after cleansing helped skin maintain its ideal moisture balance. ALBION went beyond hydration and designed it to also work as a toner, removing any debris left after cleansing and gently exfoliating. The end product, balancing milk, supported the skin barrier, prevented moisture loss, and promoted what is now known as glass skin. Products like balancing milk inspired a milky skincare revolution. ALBION’s balancing milks feature in the signature second step in ALBION’s 4-Step Skincare Ritual, supporting skin’s health and helping maximize the benefits of the products that follow. Why Use Balancing Skincare? Healthy, radiant skin depends on maintaining the right balance of moisture—water but also skin-essential oils and natural moisturizing factors (NMF). When this balance is disrupted by cleansing, environmental stressors, or aging, skin can feel dry, tight, or irritated. Balancing skincare focuses on restoring skin to its optimal state of moisturization. Products such as ALBION’s balancing milk are specially formulated with an ideal ratio of oil, water, and NMF, helping to replenish hydration, support the skin barrier, and promote a soft, supple complexion. But balancing skincare goes beyond simple hydration. It helps address concerns such as dryness, enlarged pores, and overall skin comfort, especially when paired with a multi-layered hydration approach of the Japanese skincare. For example, ALBION’s balancing milks feature gentle, nourishing, botanical ingredients like Gotu Kola, Wakame seaweed, and Meadowfoam oil. Using balancing skincare consistently can help rebalance the skin by supporting its resilience, glow, and a healthy skin barrier over time. What Are Emulsions in J-Beauty Routines? Still not sure what balancing milk is? Balancing milks are also called facial emulsions. ALBION’s balancing milks perform the function of a hydrating emulsion and skin-balancing toner. It is a skincare step that helps hydrate the skin, minimize pores, and soothe any irritation or redness. Balancing milks are a part of the Japanese beauty philosophy where the focus is on building resilience and radiance through lightweight hydration rather than using heavy creams or aggressive treatments. Balancing milks are especially valued as part of an anti-aging skincare routine that emphasizes long-term barrier strength and luminosity. Key Benefits of Balancing Milk Why should you consider adding a balancing milk to your skincare ritual? Here are a few key benefits: Lifts away lingering traces of makeup, sunscreen, and excess oils after cleansing Tones and restores optimum moisture balance in the skin Hydrates and nourishes skin deeply and supports skin barrier Plumps, helps minimize the appearance of pores, and promotes bouncy texture Prepares skin to absorb serums and creams more effectively Lightweight, breathable, and perfect for layering If you’re noticing your skin is dry or tight after cleansing or whenever you feel it is in need of additional hydration, adding balancing milk to your skincare routine can make a big difference. Ingredients That Give ALBION Balancing Milk Its Benefits So what makes ALBION’s balancing milks so effective? Why is this product so popular after almost 70 years? It’s all about the ingredients that ALBION skincare is known for. ALBION’s balancing milks are formulated with a carefully curated blend of botanical oils, peptides, humectants (such as hyaluronic acid) and antioxidants, and advanced emulsion technology to hydrate, condition, and support the skin’s resilience. The unique formulas are backed by ALBION’s advanced research spanning decades. EXCIA Embeage Extra Milk offers a deeply nourishing blend designed especially for dehydrated, mature skin. It melts seamlessly into the skin, delivering intense moisture with a full-bodied, creamy texture. Its formula includes Gotu Kola, known to support collagen, and White Ginger Lily to soothe and soften. Antioxidant-rich Guava Leaf extract and Wakame seaweed, rich in minerals, help restore radiance and vitality. INFINESSE Pump Matrix Milk is suitable for all skin types and offers a lighter, yet highly hydrating experience. Its formula is packed with proprietary OSK9 peptides and features a rich botanical blend. Deeply moisturizing Meadowfoam oil helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier, Traveler’s Joy soothes and comforts, while Wheat Germ oil and Gromwell extract, used traditionally in Japanese skincare, provide antioxidant protection and help refine the skin’s tone and texture. How to Use Balancing Milk in ALBION’s 4-Step Skincare Ritual Apply ALBION’s balancing milk as the second step of your 4-Step ALBION Skincare Ritual. After cleansing, use a facial cotton pad to evenly distribute and gently exfoliate. Dispense three pumps of the balancing milk onto the pad, press it onto five points of your face, and lightly massage in circular motions to enhance absorption. ALBION’s balancing milks are designed to be used immediately after cleansing, when the skin is in its most delicate state. During cleansing, natural moisturizers are often washed away along with impurities, leaving the skin vulnerable and in need of replenishment. That’s where balancing milk comes in. Its unique blend of carefully selected oils, moisturizing agents, and advanced emulsification technology absorbs quickly, helping to restore the skin’s moisture balance, deliver deep hydration, and support the skin barrier. How to Incorporate Balancing Milk Into an Existing Skincare Routine It is easy to integrate ALBION’s balancing milks into any existing skincare routine. Here are some ideas: Add balancing milk after or in place of your face toner, before serum and moisturizer. Use it instead of a serum on low-maintenance days for a simpler routine. Layer it as your hydrating step before SPF in the morning. Think of balancing milk as a lightweight moisturizer. Once you experience the glow and comfort it provides, you’ll see why this is a beloved step in Japanese skincare routines. Balancing milks are a beautiful example of Japanese skincare’s dedication to gentle, effective layering. Whether you’re creating a J-Beauty skincare routine or simply want to add a touch of lightweight hydration to your day, this step brings softness, radiance, and resilience to your skin.
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Made in Japan Quality
At ALBION, we manufacture all our skincare products at our Kumagaya Plant in Japan, giving us strict control over quality. We craft our high-performing premium skincare products, using the latest dermatological science, cutting-edge technology, and the highest standards of safety.
We love to have our satisfied clients
Trang T.
It was a little strong scent at first, but was fading fast. It helps to keep my skin moist and soft. It pairs perfectly with Infinesse Derma Pump Milk S. I love to have them both in my skin routine. Would love to buy again! Thanks!
Lihn V.
Great Matrix Milk Pump! It makes my skin look brighter and younger after 2 weeks. I would recommend this product to everyone.
NGOC N.
Actuall I bought for my mom Infinesse Derma Pump Milk first. After she used it, she fell in love with that. Then she tried Excia Extea Milk for new experience and she loves it too. The quality is really high! I don't have many words to describe it. Just love it!
Meg M.
Love the quality of the products. My skin is benefitting from them.
Hitomi C.
I’ve been using this oil for about two years. I love it very much. This oil is a have to have item.
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ALBION GARDEN Abbot Kinney
The first-of-its-kind concept store for ALBION Cosmetics, located in Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA. Step into a world inspired by Japanese rituals of well-being and mindfulness.
