March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global celebration of women's achievements and a call to action for gender equality. Japan, where traditional gender roles remain deeply embedded in culture, ranked 118th out of 146 countries in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and are not on par with men economically. Modern Japanese women have better access to education, job opportunities, and overall enjoy more freedom compared to previous generations, but significant work is still necessary to achieve true gender equality.
The History of IWD in Japan
The history of IWD in Japan dates back to the 1920s. Japanese women began organizing and participating in events to address issues such as labor rights and the right to vote in elections. Today, IWD serves as a platform to reflect on progress made and to address ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality.
While not a public holiday, IWD is marked in Japan with various events and initiatives. There are marches, like Tokyo Women’s March, and businesses, organizations, and advocacy groups hold events, panel discussions, and initiatives to highlight women’s achievements and promote women’s rights. Interestingly, the mimosa flower has become a symbol of IWD in Japan, which is why many of the day’s events use yellow as their main color.
ALBION’s Commitment to Gender Equality
At ALBION, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where women feel supported, valued, and empowered. As of 2024, women hold three out of nine (38%) executive positions in our company, a step toward fostering greater female leadership in the beauty industry. We work continuously to improve our Diversity & Inclusion policies that support career growth, work-life balance, and inclusivity.
One of our most impactful initiatives is offering childcare support for working mothers. ALBION provides on-site childcare facilities to help employees manage their careers and families.
We also understand that true empowerment comes from within. That’s why our brand philosophy goes beyond skincare—we aim to cultivate self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of well-being for everyone who interacts with ALBION, from employees to customers.
Empowering Skincare: Celebrating Women with ALBION
Skincare is more than just a routine—it’s a form of self-care and empowerment. Taking the time to care for your skin is an act of self-love. This IWD, we celebrate confidence, radiance, and resilience—qualities that define both our customers and our approach to skincare. We asked four ALBION U.S. employees to share their favorite J-Beauty essentials and why they love them. Here are their top skincare picks.
Cleanse with INFINESSE Deep Suction Cleansing Milk
Marri, ALBION Garden Store Manager, names INFINESSE Deep Suction Cleansing Milk as her favorite ALBION product. “It can be used in two ways. You can use it as a makeup remover to wipe off light makeup, or you can lather it on and rinse it off when wearing heavier makeup. Either way, your skin is left feeling clear, bouncy, and hydrated!”
Infused with ALBION’s proprietary OSK9 peptide and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, INFINESSE Deep Suction Cleansing Milk gently yet effectively lifts away makeup, impurities, and dead skin cells. Formulated for all skin types, it provides hydration and toning benefits, helping skin feel refreshed and visibly revitalized.
Balance with ALBION Balancing Milks
Sayaka, ALBION Brand Manager, can’t choose just one favorite between INFINESSE Pump Matrix Milk and EMBEAGE Extra Milk. “INFINESSE Pump Matrix Milk is so versatile—I love how my skin feels perfectly moisturized, toned, and clear. But everything about EMBEAGE Extra Milk is next level. It instantly gives you a glow and a firmer look, like you’ve just had a salon facial.”
Hydrate and tone with the pioneers of milk skincare. Designed to be used immediately after cleansing, ALBION’s balancing milks help remove lingering impurities, balance moisture levels, and support skin’s smooth, toned appearance.
Hydrate and Glow with ALBION Flora Drip Essence
Both Natalie, ALBION Garden Beauty Adviser, and Kazuko, ALBION Deputy Manager, choose Flora Drip as their top ALBION skincare product. “It makes your skin baby-smooth and flawless, so it wears beautifully under makeup,” says Natalie. “You can also use it to refresh your makeup throughout the day by gently patting it onto fine lines with a Q-tip.” Kazuko adds, “Flora Drip’s texture is divine, and I love how it instantly softens my skin.”
We elevated Flora Drip’s formula with the launch of Flora Drip S, a next-generation fermented essence enhanced with Shirakami Yama Sauvignon Seed Extract, a powerful antioxidant six times more potent than grape-derived resveratrol. This exclusive ingredient works in synergy with the MYURAT™ complex, amplifying the benefits—a smoother, more hydrated complexion, refined skin tone, and a naturally radiant glow.
Revitalize with EMBEAGE Adicid Serum
EMBEAGE Adicid Serum made it into the top three favorites for both Marri and Kazuko. “Immediate result! It brightens and smooths your skin instantly,” says Marri. Kazuko adds, “I can visibly see how my skin looks more invigorated after several uses.”
EXCIA EMBEAGE Adicid Serum is an advanced age-defying serum designed to support skin’s renewal and radiance. Formulated with three highly effective acids, it helps skin appear brighter and smoother—phytic acid refines the look of pores, ferulic acid supports antioxidant care, and succinic acid gently exfoliates. Enriched with signature botanical extracts, this luxurious serum helps skin look revitalized, refreshed, and visibly refined.
IWD Giveaway with @albion_us 🌼
At ALBION, we celebrate every woman’s journey to discovering, defining, and embracing her own beauty. Each woman is unique, and every expression of beauty is worth celebrating. This International Women’s Day, we invite you to share your personal beauty story.
To mark the launch of our new Flora Drip S essence, we’re giving away two full-size (160mL) bottles to two lucky winners! 🎉 The giveaway runs on Instagram until March 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM (PST). Please check how to take part in our giveaway post. Good luck! 🌸✨
