Fine Today Researcher Receives Excellent Presentation Award at the Japan Society of Kansei Engineering
Researcher Ryoko Kawakami demonstrated that male skin hydration significantly influences interpersonal impressions, specifically 'youthfulness,' through scientific data and impression evaluation.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 15:45 (13 min after Collected)
Ryoko Kawakami, a researcher at Fine Today Co., Ltd., received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 21st Spring Conference of the Japan Society of Kansei Engineering (held March 16–18, 2026, in Tochigi Prefecture). Her presentation was titled 'Skin Hydration Changes Impression—Analysis of Interpersonal Impression Based on Male Skin Property Data.' The award recognizes promising young researchers for their excellence in research abstracts, goal setting, presentation methods, and Q&A quality.
This research analyzed the relationship between male skin properties and interpersonal impressions through both physical measurement data and psychological evaluation. It demonstrated the possibility that corneal water content (hydration) contributes to positive impression evaluations, particularly regarding youthfulness.
### Research Background
Improving skin impressions is considered one of the key roles of men's cosmetics. While previous reports have shown that skin conditions like uneven color or texture affect impressions, improving these usually requires continuous care with slow results. Furthermore, the habit of using makeup is not yet widely adopted among men. Therefore, this study focused on 'corneal water content' as an indicator that can be changed relatively quickly through skincare, exploring its link to interpersonal impressions.
### Research Content
**Experiment 1: Male Skin Property Survey**
A survey was conducted on 107 healthy Japanese men (ages 20s–50s), measuring facial skin color (brightness, hue), corneal water content, and corneal layering. The results suggested that skin brightness decreases with age. However, there was no age-related difference in corneal water content; individuals with both high and low hydration were found in all age groups. A negative correlation was observed between hydration and 'corneal layering' (accumulation of dead skin cells). This suggests that hydration affects the skin's surface condition, contributing to translucency and light scattering that cannot be evaluated by brightness alone.
**Experiment 2: Impression Evaluation of Male Skin Images**
Using skin images and data obtained from Experiment 1, interpersonal impressions were evaluated. Eight pairs of images were selected, matched for brightness but differing in hydration. Participants evaluated them across four dimensions: competence/reliability, warmth/friendliness, morality/character, and health impression.
The results showed that skin with higher hydration tended to receive more positive impressions overall. Notably, the 'youthful' rating was significantly higher for the high-hydration group. Since hydrated skin has a better surface condition, exhibiting translucency and gloss, the study concludes that corneal status is a crucial factor in impressions alongside color and brightness.
### Future Outlook
Fine Today's purpose is to 'enable everyone to lead a beautiful and rich life.' To achieve this, the men's brand 'uno' has introduced innovative products to support men's skincare habits. Based on these research findings, the company will further verify the relationship between skin changes before and after skincare and perceived impressions, working to visualize the immediate and experiential value that skincare brings to men.
This research analyzed the relationship between male skin properties and interpersonal impressions through both physical measurement data and psychological evaluation. It demonstrated the possibility that corneal water content (hydration) contributes to positive impression evaluations, particularly regarding youthfulness.
### Research Background
Improving skin impressions is considered one of the key roles of men's cosmetics. While previous reports have shown that skin conditions like uneven color or texture affect impressions, improving these usually requires continuous care with slow results. Furthermore, the habit of using makeup is not yet widely adopted among men. Therefore, this study focused on 'corneal water content' as an indicator that can be changed relatively quickly through skincare, exploring its link to interpersonal impressions.
### Research Content
**Experiment 1: Male Skin Property Survey**
A survey was conducted on 107 healthy Japanese men (ages 20s–50s), measuring facial skin color (brightness, hue), corneal water content, and corneal layering. The results suggested that skin brightness decreases with age. However, there was no age-related difference in corneal water content; individuals with both high and low hydration were found in all age groups. A negative correlation was observed between hydration and 'corneal layering' (accumulation of dead skin cells). This suggests that hydration affects the skin's surface condition, contributing to translucency and light scattering that cannot be evaluated by brightness alone.
**Experiment 2: Impression Evaluation of Male Skin Images**
Using skin images and data obtained from Experiment 1, interpersonal impressions were evaluated. Eight pairs of images were selected, matched for brightness but differing in hydration. Participants evaluated them across four dimensions: competence/reliability, warmth/friendliness, morality/character, and health impression.
The results showed that skin with higher hydration tended to receive more positive impressions overall. Notably, the 'youthful' rating was significantly higher for the high-hydration group. Since hydrated skin has a better surface condition, exhibiting translucency and gloss, the study concludes that corneal status is a crucial factor in impressions alongside color and brightness.
### Future Outlook
Fine Today's purpose is to 'enable everyone to lead a beautiful and rich life.' To achieve this, the men's brand 'uno' has introduced innovative products to support men's skincare habits. Based on these research findings, the company will further verify the relationship between skin changes before and after skincare and perceived impressions, working to visualize the immediate and experiential value that skincare brings to men.