Herbal Peel, a home-use herbal peeling product from the skincare brand "INSiTU" (Insitu) developed by Sakura Forest Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka; Representative Director: Leo Takashima), has been selected for the special feature "MY BEST COSMETIC AWARDS 2026 First Half" in Takarajimasha's popular fashion magazine "sweet" (July 2026 issue, released June 12, 2026).
This feature introduces "true favorite items" that the magazine's editorial department feels are "definitely repurchaseable" and "convincing to use" from among numerous cosmetics.
Herbal Peel was featured as an item that the editorial staff, who have been observing beauty trends, fell in love with so much that they would repurchase it with their own money.
The magazine highlights that the herbal peeling-inspired care, which can cost over 10,000 yen per session at salons, can be easily incorporated at home at an affordable price, and that it can help wash away dullness with each use, aiming for a brighter skin impression.
In this release, in response to this feature, we will introduce the background behind Herbal Peel's selection and the behind-the-scenes story of its joint development with the Korean research institute ANCORS, which has not been disclosed until now.
*1 Limited sets sold out a total of 4 times between May 2025 and August 2025.
*2 As of May 2025 - April 2026, calculated based on 8 pieces per box, individually packaged.
Background of Selection for MY BEST COSMETIC AWARDS
Herbal peeling is gaining popularity, frequently ranking as the No. 1 monthly search ranking in the esthetic category on major salon booking sites.
Recently, the need to easily incorporate this herbal peeling treatment at home has been rapidly expanding.
Why is "Herbal Peel" Gaining Attention Now?
Salon treatments can often cost over 10,000 yen per session, and require securing time for appointments.
Furthermore, traditional herbal peeling can involve strong peeling, leading many people who are interested to hesitate due to images of "painful," "skin peeling," or "anxiety about downtime."
Amidst this background, home care products with a "gentle design that does not assume peeling" are gaining attention.
Herbal Peel, a home-use herbal peeling product, uses ingredients supervised by the beauty salon "WHITE AQUA" (hereinafter referred to as "WHITE AQUA"), which has experience counseling 15,000 clients annually. Its formula is designed to minimize rapid irritation, taking into account risks such as redness and peeling*1.
Its characteristic is that it is designed to gradually improve skin impression rather than seeking dramatic changes in one go, making it easy for those with important upcoming events or sensitive skin to incorporate*1.
Additionally, its adoption of individually packaged portions for single use makes it hygienic, clearly shows the amount to use each time, and makes it easy to incorporate care into a routine without strain.
We believe that the ability to easily incorporate such authentic salon-inspired care at home has led to this selection.
*1 Patch tested. This does not guarantee that allergies will not occur in all individuals.
Numerous Achievements Also Support Selection
Herbal Peel received a significant response immediately after its launch in May 2025.
Within the first 30 minutes of sales, approximately one set was ordered every 5 seconds*1, and the initial limited 2,000 sets sold out in 36 hours.
It has garnered attention by ranking No. 1 on Rakuten and reaching the top 10 in skincare rankings on TikTok Shop*3.
Fueled by word-of-mouth and social media among highly beauty-conscious users, cumulative sales exceeded 570,000 units in approximately one year since its launch.*4
Media interest has also been high; on November 28, 2025, TBS's "THE TIME," featured it as a home-care herbal peeling item in a segment discussing the "background of the herbal peeling boom."*5
While the selection of items for MY BEST COSMETIC AWARDS is at the discretion of the editorial department, we believe that the expanding response and the accumulated results from users have also contributed to this selection.
*1 2,000 sets were sold between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM on May 16, 2025 (Fri).
*2 As of June 28, 2025, ranked No. 1 in the Peeling/Gommage category.
*3 As of June 10, 2026.
*4 As of May 2025 - April 2026, calculated based on 8 pieces per box, individually packaged.
*5 In the "Petit Marketing Department" segment "Behind the Herbal Peeling Boom" on TBS's "THE TIME," broadcast on November 28, 2025.
Behind the Scenes of Herbal Peel Development
Herbal Peel is supervised by "WHITE AQUA," a popular beauty salon with 63 stores nationwide. The formula incorporates highly-rated topping ingredients from actual salon treatments and the on-site knowledge gained from extensive skin contact.
Furthermore, the formulation development and manufacturing that translated this philosophy into actual products were handled by the major Korean cosmetic research institution "ANCORS" (hereinafter referred to as "ANCORS").
Formulation Development and Manufacturing by Korean Research Institute ANCORS
ANCORS, established in 2009, is a cosmetic research and manufacturing institution based in Korea, and has handled numerous products sold in major Korean beauty stores.
A beauty salon with on-site expertise and the Korean research institute ANCORS, which shapes it into a product.
By leveraging the strengths of both, an unprecedented formula was achieved, fusing the rich texture of naturally derived herbs with cutting-edge beauty ingredients. However, there were numerous challenges in its development.
The Biggest Development Hurdle: "Stabilizing Raw Herbs at High Concentrations"
The most challenging aspect of development was stabilizing the raw herbs at high concentrations while formulating them into a product.
An ANCORS researcher recalls:
"Natural ingredients like raw herbs contain many unique active components, making them prone to separation within the formulation and hindering stability. Therefore, we achieved stabilization by utilizing the layered structure of montmorillonite, the main component of the clay used, to uniformly disperse the raw materials."
Ingenuity to achieve both efficacy and stability of naturally derived herbs forms the foundation of the formulation.
We also received the following comment from a researcher at ANCORS, who handled the formulation development and manufacturing:
"I myself use it twice a week. It's a formula that pursues effectiveness, so it's a product I can confidently deliver. I definitely want those who felt that facial cleansing and makeup removal alone were not enough to try it."
Developer's Comment
Matsuki, the development manager for Herbal Peel, commented on the selection as follows:
"I myself have always had sensitive skin and was interested in peeling but was too afraid to try it. My experience at the beauty salon 'WHITE AQUA,' which supervised the formulation this time, changed my impression of peeling.
To recreate this感動 (emotion/impression) at home, I repeatedly worked with the researchers at the Korean institute ANCORS to create a formula that stabilizes raw herbs at high concentrations.
Although there were difficult challenges during the development process, we never considered 'replacing it with another ingredient.' I am truly grateful to all the researchers who worked with us until the end.
Being selected by the editorial department, who have been observing beauty for a long time, and hearing that they wanted to 'repurchase it with their own money' makes me feel that our thoughts and dedication have been understood.
When I heard that we were selected for MY BEST COSMETIC AWARDS and the feature was decided, honestly, the whole team was surprised and delighted, saying, 'Really?'
The editors of 'sweet' are beauty professionals who are exposed to many new cosmetics and cutting-edge beauty information daily. It is truly an honor to have our cost performance and time performance praised by such individuals.
We will continue to challenge ourselves to deliver the surprise and joy that comes with using Herbal Peel to even more people."
1st Anniversary Campaign Underway
A special campaign is being held to commemorate the first anniversary of its launch.
Period: May 12, 2026 - July 12, 2026
Details: Regular price 5,390 yen (tax included) → First-time subscription price 2,980 yen (tax included)
Bonus: 1 sheet of highly moisturizing hyaluronic acid face mask, 2 packets of low-irritation retinol serum, 2 packets of glutathione lotion
Campaign URL: https://sakura-forest.com/herblapeelcp
*Limited to the first 1,000 sets, ends when sold out.
Product Overview
Easily enjoy salon-supervised herbal peeling at home.
With a gentle feel that considers sensitive skin*1, you can experience authentic peeling care at home. It improves skin condition with an approach that combines naturally derived herbs and advanced beauty ingredients popular in Korea.
Product Name: INSiTU Herbal Peel [Home-Use Herbal Peeling]
Contents: 8g x 8 pieces (individually packaged portion type)
Regular Price: 5,390 yen (tax included)
Product Page: https://insitu-labo.com/products/herb_la_peel/
*1 Patch tested. This does not guarantee that allergies will not occur in all individuals.
What is the Skincare Brand "INSiTU"?
INSiTU is a brand that pursues skincare that brings out one's inherent beauty, derived from the Latin phrase "in situ," meaning "in its original place."
It selects ingredients based on cutting-edge cosmetic medical knowledge and research data, providing a skincare experience that caters to individual skin needs.
Brand Site: https://insitu-labo.com
Company Overview
Company Name
Sakura Forest Co., Ltd.
Location
2-12-23 Kego, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, CocoSys Building
Representative
Leo Takashima, Representative Director
Established
April 1, 2014
Business Activities
Planning, development, and mail-order sales of health foods and beauty products.
Official Website
https://sakuraforest.co.jp/
Online Shop
https://sakura-forest.com/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 製品選出
- Organizations: INSiTU / sweet / WHITE AQUA