Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
ハトムギエキス (Hatomugi ekisu)
Also known as: Hatomugi Extract, Yokuinin (薏苡仁)
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | ハトムギ種子エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | ハトムギエキス, ハトムギ種子エキス, ヨクイニンエキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen seed) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Moisturizing |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. The closely related 薏苡仁 (yokuinin) extract is also classified as a Kampo (traditional herbal medicine) ingredient when prepared and used under the Kampo framework. |
Hatomugi — the Japanese name for Job's Tears, Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen — is one of the most widely consumed traditional grains in East Asian herbal medicine. Under its Kampo name 薏苡仁 (yokuinin), the seed has been used for skin and general wellness applications for centuries. As a cosmetic ingredient in modern Japan, hatomugi seed extract sits in the middle of one of Japan's highest-volume drugstore skincare categories.
Classification
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Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Large-volume body and face moisturizers
- Sheet masks
- Toners and lotions
- Traditional herbal preparations
What it is
Hatomugi seed extract is produced by water, hydro-alcoholic, or glycol extraction of the dehulled, polished seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen. The extract contains proteins, amino acids, polysaccharides, lipids including coixol, and trace organic acids.
In Kampo practice, the seed is used as 薏苡仁 (yokuinin) and enters formulations for skin-related applications. The cosmetic-grade ingredient and the Kampo medicinal preparation share source material but are handled under separate regulatory frameworks.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In Japanese cosmetics, hatomugi extract is strongly associated with large-volume, low-cost moisturizers — hatomugi-branded big-format toners and creams have been drugstore mainstays for years. The ingredient's cultural association with skin care makes it a consistent choice in formulations positioned around mild, everyday use.
The ingredient also appears in sheet masks, body lotions, and scalp products. In many formulations it is used in combination with hyaluronic acid or glycerin as a skin-conditioning base.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex under ハトムギ種子エキス and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.
Yokuinin (薏苡仁) as a Kampo medicinal material is separately regulated under Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act when prepared and claimed for medicinal use.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng under the INCI name Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. Commonly used in finished cosmetic products. |
| China | Listed in the IECIC. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
| Korea | Permitted as a cosmetic ingredient under the KFDA / MFDS cosmetic ingredient system. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — ハトムギ種子エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.