Media Coverage & Recognition
Media Coverage & Recognition
A record of ONSENSOU's awards, magazine ratings, and editorial or third-party coverage. Each rating or ranking reflects the issue or survey period stated in the entry.
Awards and Ratings
Editorial magazine test scores, and rankings from review platforms.
LDK the Beauty is published by Shinyusha and is Japan's best-known consumer product-testing magazine — the closest equivalent to Which? in the UK or Consumer Reports in the US. It carries no advertising, and the publisher states that most of the products it tests are bought at the editorial team's own expense rather than supplied by manufacturers, so that products can be assessed "from a purely user perspective, entirely uninfluenced by the manufacturer." Brands cannot buy their way into it, and cannot see the result before it prints.
"Moisturises and repairs both the hair and the scalp. A good choice if you like a richer finish."
"Top-class cleansing power."
@cosme is Japan's largest cosmetics review platform, operated by istyle Inc. This is a ranking of user reviews, not an editorial test, and it reflects the three-month period stated above rather than the present day.
Used with permission from istyle Inc. under its @cosme data licence.
The Singapore Women’s Weekly is Singapore’s long-running monthly for women, published by SPH Media. Its Best Beauty Buys awards are decided annually by a panel of ten judges across several dozen categories.
- Best Luxury Shampoo For Itchy Scalp — ONSENSOU Scalp Care Shampoo With Hot Spring Algae Essence (S$49 / 300ml). "Relieves irritation with antioxidants and minerals from hot spring algae extract." See the category
- Best Luxurious Hair Mask For Damaged Hair — ONSENSOU Golden Silk Hair Mask (S$80 / 180g). "You won’t be able to stop admiring your glossy hair afterwards." See the category
- Best Exfoliating Gel Cleanser — ONSENSOU Body Cleanser Kabosu (S$45 / 300ml). "Formulated with AHA to exfoliate dead skin cells, plus liquorice, yeast extract, and hot spring algae extract rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories." See the category
These are the brand’s first awards from outside Japan. All three were judged in Singapore, on products bought in the Singapore market.
Editorial Coverage
Articles researched and written by editorial teams and outside specialists. No payment was involved in any item in this section, unless noted.
The pioneer of hot spring algae — sharpening its research for the next challenge
In the series "Front Runner: the workshop of creation". Nikkei Business is Japan’s leading business weekly, published by Nikkei BP. The article profiles SARABiO Onsen Microbiology Research Institute in Beppu — the company that developed the onsen algae ingredient — and how the algal strain RG92 came to be identified.
This article is about the research institute that developed the ingredient, not about the ONSENSOU brand itself.
How ONSENSOU, a haircare brand from Beppu in Oita, develops the products that are selling in China
A signed feature in the series "Asia’s Beauty Markets, vol.2" (reporter: Anna Usui). WWD JAPAN is the Japanese edition of the fashion and beauty trade paper, published by INFAS Publications.
Picture the future of your own hair, and care only for what it actually needs
In the "In Bath" feature, the ONSENSOU Golden Silk Repair Shampoo was selected under "for those who also want scalp care." The magazine wrote: "Patented ingredients repair the hair thoroughly. Cleansing, protection and moisture in one bottle," and "a beauty ingredient extracted from algae living in the Beppu hot springs repairs damaged hair from within."
Onsen algae as the keyword of the month
Beauty journalist Yuiko Oda devoted her column "Maniac Beauty REPORT" vol.96 to onsen algae — covering how more than 200 microorganisms came to be identified in the Beppu hot springs, and how the algae was named. The ONSENSOU Scalp Care Shampoo appeared in the feature.
Is an itchy, prickling, flaking scalp also a sign of unsettled skin?
In the "AUTUMN SKIN" feature, Q33 featured the ONSENSOU Scalp Care Shampoo in its answer, alongside commentary from a dermatologist and a beauty journalist.
In-bath care is the key to reducing damage
In the feature "2: Heavily damaged hair", the onsensou Golden Silk Hair Mask was selected alongside commentary from hairstylist Noge. The magazine’s verdict: "Intensively repairs broken cuticles. The softness it leaves behind is in a different class."
Small gifts by budget that will actually get used
Beauty specialist Mariko Mizui selected the ONSENSOU Golden Silk Repair Shampoo. "This one bottle cleanses, protects and moisturises — it cares for the hair from the inside," she wrote.
Bust and décolletage care
Under "Care Point 4: look after blemishes and bumps for smooth skin", the ONSENSOU Body Cleanser KABOSU was featured. anan is one of Japan’s longest-running weekly magazines for women.
More new arrivals in cleansing
In the column "25ans EYES" / "The Beauty Times", the ONSENSOU Onsen Algae Body Cleanser was one of six products chosen. The magazine wrote: "Hot-spring-derived ingredients for the smooth skin of a post-bath glow" and "white clay lifts away dirt gently, without scrubbing." 25ans is the Japanese luxury monthly published by Hearst Fujingaho.
The page credits the ingredient developer, SALABio Onsen Microbiology Research Institute, rather than the brand owner.
Body, hands — every part of you, clean
The ONSENSOU Onsen Algae Body Cleanser was introduced: "Formulated with extracts derived from algae and yeast living in the Beppu hot springs. Clay helps it lift away impurities gently."
PICK UP GOTOUCHI 02: Hot Springs
The ONSENSOU Onsen Algae Body Cleanser was presented as a cosmetic that represents Oita Prefecture — the regional-speciality category Japanese readers call gotouchi.
Pick up NEW TOPICS
The brand’s launch was covered as news.
Brand ambassador appointment for the haircare line
Coverage of the appointment of a brand ambassador for the haircare line.
Five-star approved: beauty items the experts stand behind
In the category "salon-level shine: damage repair", covering the Golden Silk Repair Shampoo, Golden Silk Hair Mask and Gold Mist Hair & Body.
Paid tie-up page, marked PR.
ONSENSOU Scalp Care line
A paid advertisement for the ONSENSOU Scalp Care Shampoo / Mild / Treatment line.
Paid advertisement.
For press enquiries, or to request evidence for a specific claim, contact info@velas.co.jp.
ONSENSOU is a brand of VELAS Corporation Ltd., Tokyo. Ratings and rankings reflect the issue or survey period stated in each entry and are not claims about the present day.
