Cosmetics · Fermented ingredients
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス (Nihonshu ekisu)
Also known as: Sake Ferment, Nihonshu Extract
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Sake Extract / Saccharomyces Ferment Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | 日本酒 |
| Common Japanese notations | 日本酒エキス, 清酒エキス |
| Origin | Fermented (brewed sake, processed for cosmetic use) |
| Typical functions | Skin conditioning, Moisturizing |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. Sake as a beverage is separately regulated under the Liquor Tax Law and food safety law. |
Sake extract is a cosmetic-grade ingredient derived from brewed Japanese rice wine. In contrast to sake lees (酒粕) — the solid residue — sake extract is prepared from the clear liquid product, concentrating amino acids and secondary fermentation metabolites produced during the dual-fermentation of rice with koji and yeast.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Face toners and essences
- Sheet masks
- Body lotions
Ingredient profile
Sake extract is produced from brewed sake (Japanese rice wine) through processes that typically include filtration and standardization. The final ingredient contains amino acids, peptides, organic acids, and trace secondary metabolites from the Aspergillus oryzae / Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation pair.
Cosmetic-grade sake extract is distinct from drinkable sake and is not marketed for consumption; it is prepared and supplied specifically for cosmetic applications.
OEM applications
In cosmetics, sake extract appears in face toners, essences, sheet masks, and body lotions. It is often paired with sake lees extract, rice bran extract, and other rice-family ingredients in "wa-hakkō" (Japanese fermentation) product narratives.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Sake-derived fermentation extracts are listed in CosIng under various fermentation-filtrate INCI names. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | Used in finished cosmetic products. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings (preparation-dependent). |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Sake Extract?
- Sake extract is a cosmetic-grade ingredient derived from brewed Japanese rice wine. In contrast to sake lees (酒粕) — the solid residue — sake extract is prepared from the clear liquid product, concentrating amino acids and secondary fermentation metabolites produced during the dual-fermentation of rice with koji and yeast.
- What is the regulatory status of Sake Extract in Japan?
- Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. Sake as a beverage is separately regulated under the Liquor Tax Law and food safety law.
- What products typically use Sake Extract?
- Face toners and essences / Sheet masks / Body lotions
- Where does Sake Extract come from?
- Fermented (brewed sake, processed for cosmetic use)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Sake Extract?
- INCI: Sake Extract / Saccharomyces Ferment Extract / JSCI: 日本酒
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Manufacturers mentioning this ingredient
Japanese OEM factories whose published profile references this ingredient. Auto-detected from manufacturer descriptions; verify capabilities directly.
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FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is sake extract as a cosmetic ingredient?
Sake extract is a cosmetic-grade preparation derived from brewed Japanese rice wine (sake), processed by filtration and standardization to be appropriate for skin / hair use. It is distinct from drinkable sake and from sake lees (酒粕 / sake-kasu) extract — the latter is derived from the solid pressing residue. Sake extract concentrates amino acids, peptides, organic acids, and other secondary metabolites produced by the dual fermentation of rice with Aspergillus oryzae (koji) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (sake yeast).
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. Why is sake associated with traditional Japanese skincare?
The connection between sake brewing and skin care traces to historical observation that sake brewers' hands were notably soft and pale despite long hours in cold sake houses. This led to commercial development from the early twentieth century of skincare products using sake-related ingredients (sake, sake-kasu, koji, rice bran). Several major Japanese sake breweries — including Kiku-Masamune, Hakutsuru, and others — operate dedicated cosmetic divisions producing sake-derived skincare lines.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. How is sake extract regulated in major markets?
Japan: cosmetic ingredient listed in the JCIA / JSCI labeling-name dictionary under '日本酒'; cosmetic preparations regulated under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act for cosmetics. EU: rice / sake / Saccharomyces ferment-derived entries are listed in CosIng under various INCI names including 'Sake Extract' and 'Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate'. US: ingredient categories appear in INCI dictionary; cosmetic finished products fall under FDA cosmetics regulation. China: NMPA IECIC listing applies — verify specific preparation. Korea: MFDS handles cosmetic ingredient notification.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. What functional components does sake extract contribute to a cosmetic?
Sake extract delivers free amino acids (notably proline, glutamic acid, alanine, serine — natural moisturizing factors related to skin NMF), small peptides, organic acids (succinic, lactic, malic), trace polyphenols, and Saccharomyces / Aspergillus secondary metabolites. The amino acid and peptide fraction is associated with skin-conditioning and humectant function in formulator literature. Specific bioactive standardization varies by supplier and preparation.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Face toners and essences ('Japanese fermentation' lines)
- Positioning
- 'Wa-hakkō' (Japanese fermentation) skincare narrative pairing sake extract with sake lees, koji, and rice bran extracts.
- Typical usage level
- 1–10% sake extract in finished toner / essence.
Sheet masks
- Positioning
- Premium 'sake bath' Japanese-heritage sheet masks for export retail in Asian beauty channels.
- Typical usage level
- 5–15% sake extract in serum essence loaded on sheet (typical sheet mask serum loading 20–25 g).
Sources
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Body lotions and bath products
- Positioning
- 'Sake bath' positioning for leisure / wellness body care, often paired with rice bran oil and yuzu fragrance.
- Typical usage level
- 1–5% sake extract in finished body lotion or bath additive.
Hair and scalp care
- Positioning
- Scalp tonic and hair conditioner positioning, featuring amino-acid moisturization narrative for thinning-hair and damaged-hair categories.
- Typical usage level
- 0.5–3% sake extract in finished product.
Sources
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
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References
- JSCI labeling name directory — related sake-derived entries
- Brewing Society of Japan — sake fermentation overview
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.