As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, we celebrate Otsukimi, the harvest moon-viewing festival, the rhythms of nature and the bounty of botanical ingredients from our Shirakami farm in Japan. Here, we cultivate five essential herbs that are key ingredients in our Flora Drip essence. Its delicate herbal scent instantly transports us to Japan, reminding us of moonlit nights filled with the fragrance of herbs and flowers. Learn more about Flora Drip, its botanical ingredients, and join in Otsukimi celebrations with our special “Blessings of Shirakami” promotion.
What is the Otsukimi Festival in Japan?
Otsukimi, also known as the harvest moon-viewing festival, is a cherished Japanese tradition rooted in the Heian period (794-1185). Held during the mid-autumn season, it celebrates the beauty of the full moon and expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Today, Japanese people continue to honor this tradition by gathering to enjoy the moon while consuming special seasonal foods like tsukimi-dango (round rice dumplings) and offering seasonal produce like sweet potatoes and chestnuts to the moon as a form of prayer for future prosperity.
One of the most significant symbols of Otsukimi is susuki, or pampas grass, which is traditionally used in festival decorations. It is thought to represent a bountiful harvest and to protect against evil spirits. Pampas grass is one of the seven herbs of autumn in Japan (based on the 8th century poem by the Japanese poet Yamanoue no Okura). The autumn herbs symbolize the transient beauty of nature as the seasons shift from summer to autumn.
Celebrating the Harvest at ALBION’s Shirakami Farm
In honor of the Otsukimi tradition, ALBION celebrates the harvest at our Shirakami farm, an organic field and research laboratory situated at the base of Shirakami-Sanchi mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Japan. Here, we meticulously grow many of the plants used in ALBION skincare products.
Our research focuses on cultivating plants with high-performing, skin-enhancing properties that we use in crafting our products. Our manufacturing process starts with hand-harvesting these carefully grown ingredients, followed by applying cutting-edge technology to extract the best skincare benefits from each plant.
The Five Key Herbs in ALBION’s MYURAT™ Complex
Did you know that five of the key herbs used in our Flora Drip essence are grown at our Shirakami farm? Flora Drip essence is enriched with MYURAT™, a proprietary complex of active ingredients created through a fermentation process using five organically grown medicinal herbs, combined with Shirakami koji (white koji fungus). The targeted fermentation technology, unique to ALBION, enhances the effectiveness of plant extracts for superior skin benefits.
The five key herbs in MYURAT™ are:
- Cornflower (Cyanus Segetum): Known for its antioxidant benefits and ability to support the skin barrier.
- Capillary Wormwood (Artemisia Capillaris): Provides antioxidant protection and stress-reducing properties.
- Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis): Known for its calming properties and potential for alleviating stress and anxiety.
- Wild Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum): Offers antibacterial, antiseptic, and astringent benefits.
- Mountain Wormwood (Artemisia Montana): Conditions and nourishes the skin.
Imagine standing in a field on an early autumn night, basking in the soft glow of the full moon while breathing in the scent of these herbs. This delicate botanical infusion lends a soothing herbal aroma to Flora Drip, ALBION’s fermented skincare bestseller, evoking the serenity of Japanese nature and rich harvest at our Shirakami farm.
The Essence of ALBION Flora Drip
Flora Drip by ALBION is a rejuvenating essence infused with our exclusive MYURAT™ complex. Botanical-infused essences have been a popular part of skincare rituals in Japan for centuries. In Japanese beauty, an essence (not to be confused with a toner, see toner vs essence) is a lightweight hydrating product that provides an extra layer of moisture, delivers nutrients, and enhances the skin's overall health.
A cult favorite in Japan and Asia, Flora Drip is praised for its efficacy, unique formulation, and visible results. American customers share glowing reviews (pun intended), noting improvements in skin hydration, radiance, and a dewy glow. As one editor from Who What Wear stated:
This milky essence from the Japanese skincare brand Albion is a skincare lover's dream. It instantly plumps my skin with moisture and makes it look and feel alive and youthful.
Packed with flavonoids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, Flora Drip is formulated to give you deeply hydrated, visibly uplifted, and radiant skin. In a two-week consumer study conducted in the U.S.*, participants reported these benefits:
- 100% felt their skin was instantly hydrated.
- 100% agreed their skin felt smoother and more balanced.
- 100% said their skin appeared brighter with a healthy glow.
- 96% noticed increased skin tautness and resilience.
- 92% saw a reduction in the visibility of fine lines.
* Based on a 2-week consumer study of 25 individuals.
How to Use ALBION Flora Drip
Incorporating Flora Drip into your skincare routine is easy. Suitable for normal to dry skin types, it pairs well with other products, including those containing active ingredients like retinoids.
Whenever you need a boost of hydration and radiance, apply Flora Drip after cleansing or as the third step of the ALBION 4-Step Skincare Ritual. Saturate a facial cotton pad with Flora Drip essence or use clean hands and gently press the formula into your skin. Lightly massage with your fingertips to enhance absorption, and enjoy the calming herbal scent as you transport yourself to Shirakami’s fields on a harvest moon night.
ALBION’s “Blessings of Shirakami” Promotion
From September 9 to 17, 2024, make a purchase of $70 or more on our website to receive two 24 ml Flora Drip Deluxe samples ($42 value). Celebrate the Otsukimi harvest moon festival with ALBION, and experience the blessings of Shirakami in your skincare routine.
