Why source from Japan
Sake extract is a concentrated preparation from Japanese rice wine, typically aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extraction capturing amino acids, peptides, and flavor actives.
Key spec
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Typical end-product
Face toners and essences ('Japanese fermentation' lines) — 'Wa-hakkō' (Japanese fermentation) skincare narrative pairing sake extract with sake lees, koji, and rice bran extracts.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use)
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Niigata, Hyōgo (Nada), Kyoto (Fushimi), Hiroshima (Saijō), Akita
- Category
- Traditional materials
- Harvest season
- October – April (sake brewing season)
- Japan regulatory status
- JSCI listed (cosmetic); food use regulated under liquor tax and food laws
- INCI name
- Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient
- Japanese name
- 日本酒エキス
- Romaji
- Nihonshu ekisu
About this ingredient
Sake extract is a concentrated preparation from Japanese rice wine, typically aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extraction capturing amino acids, peptides, and flavor actives. Cosmetic applications use non-alcoholic or low-alcohol fractions for moisturizing and brightening claims; food applications use sake concentrate in seasonings, glazes, and bakery.
Regulatory status
| Japan | JSCI listed (cosmetic); food use regulated under liquor tax and food laws |
|---|---|
| EU | CosIng listed; alcoholic-beverage import rules for food applications |
| United States | INCI recognized; ATF for beverage |
| China | Verify IECIC |
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is the typical MOQ and lead time for cosmetic-grade sake extract?
Industry-typical MOQ is 10–30 kg for cosmetic-grade extract and 50–500 L for food-grade bulk, with 4–8 week lead times. Brewing season (October–April) is the principal raw-material supply window; major sake-derived cosmetic ingredient houses build inventory across the year. Custom standardization (specific amino-acid profile, Brix, alcohol level for non-alcohol cosmetic spec) extends lead time by 2–4 weeks.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Which sake-producing regions are also major cosmetic-extract sources?
Five regions stand out: Niigata (the largest sake-producing prefecture, with several producers operating cosmetic-extract divisions), Hyogo Nada (the largest historical brewing region, home to Kiku-Masamune cosmetics), Kyoto Fushimi (also long-established cosmetic-divisions), Hiroshima Saijō, and Akita. Most cosmetic-grade sake extract sourced for export originates from companies in these areas.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. Does cosmetic-grade sake extract contain alcohol — and how is this handled in non-alcohol markets?
Cosmetic-grade preparations are usually de-alcoholized or low-alcohol versions (sub-1% to a few percent ethanol depending on preparation). For Muslim-majority markets (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia) and Halal-certified products, an alcohol-free preparation is required and must be specified at order time. Some suppliers can provide explicit halal-compatible certification or a zero-alcohol fermented filtrate variant.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. What COA and documentation should I request for cosmetic export?
Standard COA: amino acid profile, alcohol content, microbiological limits (very tight for leave-on cosmetics), heavy metals, preservative content if added, pH, color, and stability data. Documentation: INCI/JSCI name, Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA) reference, allergen statement (sake-derived ferments are generally low-allergen but rice / yeast disclosure is helpful), CosIng listing reference for EU, IECIC reference for China, and SDS / MSDS in destination-market format.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
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
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
More cost-efficient options
Sake Extract is positioned in the premium tier. These ingredients offer similar functions at lower cost:
Yuzu / Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
柚子エキス
INCI Citrus Junos Fruit Extract / Citrus Junos Peel Oil; MOQ from 5–20 kg (extract); 5–20 L (essential oil).
Cost-efficient· shares 3 categories
Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa)
シークヮーサー
Citrus depressa Hayata source; INCI Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract; MOQ from 100 L (fresh juice); 1-10 kg (extract).
Cost-efficient· shares 3 categories
Japanese Natural Spring Water
日本名水
MOQ from 24-case retail; bulk water supply via OEM.
Cost-efficient· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Yaegaki Biotechnology Inc.
ヤヱガキ醗酵技研株式会社
Himeji, HyogoEst. 1999English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000ISO 22000Sake yeast extract for supplements
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Last updated: 2026-04-24