Japan Ingredient Glossary

Cosmetics · Marine ingredients

Pearl Hydrolysate

真珠加水分解物 (Shinju Kasui Bunkai-butsu)

Also known as: Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Hydrolyzed Pearl

2Japanese suppliers ready to quoteView on the Sourcing platform

At a glance

CategoryCosmetics
INCI nameHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein↗
Japanese labeling name加水分解コンキオリン
Common Japanese notations真珠加水分解物, 加水分解コンキオリン, 加水分解パール
OriginMarine / animal (akoya pearl oyster pearl and shell proteins, enzymatically hydrolyzed)
Typical functionsSkin conditioning, Moisturizing (low-molecular-weight peptide humectant action), Smoothing surface feel
Regulatory status in JapanCosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary as 加水分解コンキオリン.

Pearl hydrolysate is the enzymatically cleaved low-molecular-weight peptide form of conchiolin — the structural protein matrix of pearl and pearl oyster shell. It is the more specific INCI category that sits within the broader pearl extract family, distinguished by its hydrolyzed peptide profile rather than the whole-protein and mineral composition of the parent ingredient. Mikimoto Pharmaceutical (ISO 22716 certified) has developed multiple proprietary pearl-derived ingredients since 1966 and operates a long-running OEM skincare program built around this material.

Find OEM manufacturers

Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Luxury skincare (essences, serums, masks)
  • Base makeup (foundations, primers)
  • Specialty body products

Ingredient profile

Pearl hydrolysate is produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of conchiolin — the organic protein matrix that binds the calcium carbonate microcrystals of pearl and the inner nacre layer of pearl oyster shell. The starting material is most commonly the akoya pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii), with the black-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) used in some preparations.

The hydrolysis step yields a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids — including glycine, alanine, aspartic acid, and other constituents reflecting the parent protein composition. The resulting hydrolysate has improved water solubility and skin penetration profile relative to the unhydrolyzed pearl extract / pearl powder forms, which retain calcium carbonate and higher-molecular-weight protein fractions.

OEM applications

Pearl hydrolysate appears in luxury essence and serum positioning, facial masks, base makeup (where it is associated with luminosity claims), and specialty body products. Mikimoto Pharmaceutical's OEM business builds finished skincare around the company's proprietary preparations.

Pearl culturing heritage in Mie (Ise-Shima — the founding region of cultured pearl production), Ehime (Uwajima), Nagasaki, and Oita is frequently referenced in product storytelling. Cosmetic ingredient labels generally use the JSCI-listed name 加水分解コンキオリン rather than regional designations.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex under the labeling name 加水分解コンキオリン and permitted as a cosmetic ingredient.

The general pearl extract category (パールエキス) is separately listed; the hydrolysate is the more specific peptide preparation.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUListed in CosIng under the INCI name Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein. Permitted for cosmetic use.
USAINCI recognized by PCPC. Used in finished cosmetic products under MoCRA.
ChinaSuppliers should verify the specific preparation against current IECIC listings; NMPA registration may be required for new ingredient variants.
KoreaPermitted as a cosmetic ingredient under the KFDA / MFDS system.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified. Mikimoto Pharmaceutical-branded preparations are handled with trademark attribution as described in the trademark notice above.

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.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Pearl Hydrolysate?
Pearl hydrolysate is the enzymatically cleaved low-molecular-weight peptide form of conchiolin — the structural protein matrix of pearl and pearl oyster shell. It is the more specific INCI category that sits within the broader pearl extract family, distinguished by its hydrolyzed peptide profile rather than the whole-protein and mineral composition of the parent ingredient. Mikimoto Pharmaceutical (ISO 22716 certified) has developed multiple proprietary pearl-derived ingredients since 1966 and operates a long-running OEM skincare program built around this material.
What is the regulatory status of Pearl Hydrolysate in Japan?
Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary as 加水分解コンキオリン.
What products typically use Pearl Hydrolysate?
Luxury skincare (essences, serums, masks) / Base makeup (foundations, primers) / Specialty body products
Where does Pearl Hydrolysate come from?
Marine / animal (akoya pearl oyster pearl and shell proteins, enzymatically hydrolyzed)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Pearl Hydrolysate?
INCI: Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein / JSCI: 加水分解コンキオリン

Related ingredients — substitutes, pairings, processing chain

Often used with

Ingredients frequently paired in the same recipe or formulation.

Same category

Other ingredients in the same sub-category.

Explore related ingredients

Used in similar product applications

Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.

Sharing similar functions

Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.

From the same origin

Other ingredients that share an origin classification.

Related guides & how-to

Related case studies

Regulatory guidance

Take the next step

Draft a spec sheet with this ingredientEstimate manufacturing cost

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What is pearl hydrolysate and how does it differ from pearl extract?

Pearl hydrolysate is the enzymatically hydrolysed low-molecular-weight peptide form of conchiolin, the structural protein matrix of pearl and pearl oyster shell. It differs from the broader 'pearl extract' / pearl powder category by having improved water solubility and a peptide / amino-acid profile rather than the unhydrolysed protein and calcium carbonate composition of the parent material.

Sources

  • Source data — glossary_context.lead and whatItIs

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. What is the JSCI labelling name for pearl hydrolysate in Japan?

Pearl hydrolysate is listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex) labelling-name dictionary as 加水分解コンキオリン (hydrolyzed conchiolin). The broader 'pearl extract' category (パールエキス) is a separate listing.

Sources

Q. What is the INCI name for pearl hydrolysate?

The INCI name is Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein. It is listed in the European Commission's CosIng database and recognised by the U.S. Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

Sources

Q. Which pearl oyster species is the typical source?

The most common starting material is the akoya pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii), the species that founded Japan's cultured pearl industry. The black-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) is used in some preparations.

Sources

  • Source data — sourcing_context.scientificName and glossary_context.whatItIs

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Use cases

  • Luxury essence / serum

    Positioning
    Premium skincare with pearl-heritage storytelling (Mie / Ise-Shima provenance)
    Typical usage level
    Supplier-specific; commonly 0.1-3% in finished product

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Sheet mask / facial mask

    Positioning
    Luxury moisture-and-luminosity story leveraging pearl peptide humectant action

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.atGlance and typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Liquid foundation / primer

    Positioning
    Base makeup with pearl-derived luminosity and skin-conditioning copy
    Formulation notes
    Hydrolysate is water-soluble; incorporate in the aqueous phase of emulsion bases

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.atGlance.commonProductCategories

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Specialty body lotion

    Positioning
    Premium body care extending pearl-heritage skincare lines

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Search the academic literature

Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.

Official regulatory databases

External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.

References

  1. JSCI labeling name directory — 加水分解コンキオリン
  2. EU CosIng entry: Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
  3. Mikimoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. — pearl-derived ingredient portfolio

Last updated: 2026-04-25. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

Explore more Japan-market resources

Related tools for overseas buyers, formulators, and sourcing teams.

Back to glossarySource Pearl Hydrolysate from JapanTokyo Shelf ReportOverseas buyer services