Cosmetics · Marine ingredients
Pearl Extract
パールエキス (Pāru ekisu)
Also known as: Pearl Powder Extract, Hydrolyzed Pearl
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Pearl Extract / Hydrolyzed Pearl |
| Japanese labeling name | パールエキス |
| Common Japanese notations | パールエキス, 真珠エキス |
| Origin | Marine (cultured pearls, ground and extracted) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Luminous finish |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. |
Pearl extract — produced from ground cultured pearls — has a long cultural association with Japanese cosmetics, connected to the historical pearl-culturing industry developed around Ise-Shima and other Japanese coastal regions. Pearl extract is used in luxury skincare and base makeup for its amino acid content and its association with luminous skin narratives.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Base makeup (foundations, primers)
- Luxury skincare
- Face masks
What it is
Pearl extract is produced by grinding cultured pearls into fine powder, then extracting with water or acid hydrolysis. The extract contains amino acids (particularly glycine, alanine, and aspartic acid), calcium carbonate, and trace minerals.
Hydrolyzed pearl is a protein-hydrolysate variant with smaller peptide fragments.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In cosmetics, pearl extract appears in foundations, primers, face masks, and luxury skincare positioning around luminosity. Japanese pearl culturing heritage is often referenced in storytelling.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings; pearl powder has strong presence in Chinese traditional preparations as well. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified. Region-specific pearl origin branding (e.g. Ise-Shima) is handled as descriptive production-region context rather than in ingredient names.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — パールエキス
- EU CosIng entry: Pearl Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.