Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) has launched the InnerSignal skin care product line in South Korea, the first market outside Japan for the brand.
InnerSignal received approval in Korea for a dual-benefit claim pertaining to skin brightening and wrinkle improvement, and it will be marketed through Otsuka's subsidiary Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Korea Otsuka) starting October 15, 2020.

The range of InnerSignal products now available in South Korea

■Specifics on Recognition of Two Key Benefits

Six of the InnerSignal products to be marketed in South Korea, including InnerSignal Rejuvenate Extract, have received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea as functional cosmetics with the two key benefits of brightening and wrinkle improvement.

■Foundation of the Skin Brightening Benefit: Improvement in Epidermal Turnover

InnerSignal Rejuvenate Extract has also been recognized in Korea for improvement in epidermal turnover that underpins the brightening benefit.

■Product Line-up and Sales Channels in South Korea

In addition to the six products marketed as functional cosmetics with two key benefits as exemplified by InnerSignal Rejuvenating Extract, three InnerSignal cleansing products will be launched at the same time. Nine of the InnerSignal products will be marketed through direct sales channels, targeting general consumers.

【The range of InnerSignal products available in South Korea】

■South Korean Cosmetics Market

Valued at 6.3 trillion Korean won in 2014, the South Korean skin care market is on an upward trend, reaching an estimated value of 7.3 trillion Korean won in 2019.^*1 In this expanding market, demand for functional cosmetics (products that support brightening, wrinkle improvement or protection from ultraviolet radiation) is showing significant growth.^*2
Launched in South Korea in 2012, Otsuka Pharmaceutical's UL•OS brand of men's skin care has earned a strong following in a market where both men and women are highly conscious of appearances and skin care needs.

Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka - people creating new products for better health worldwide,' Otsuka Pharmaceutical aims to contribute to healthy skin for South Korean people.

1. 1Skin Care in South Korea, FY2019 sales revenue base; Euromonitor International Ltd.
2. 2Cosmetic Industry Field Survey; Korea Health Industry Development Institute

【About InnerSignal: The story behind development of InnerSignal】

• https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/nutraceutical/about/cosmedics/story/

Focusing on the idea of activating energy metabolism as the key to healthy skin, Otsuka Pharmaceutical pursued proprietary research, examining more than 1,000 varieties of plants and yeasts. In 2004, these efforts led to the development of active medicated ingredient Energy Signal AMP^*3, the first ingredient to be approved for effects and efficacy in suppressing accumulation of melanin and preventing blemishes and freckles. InnerSignal skin care products containing Energy Signal AMP stimulate cellular turnover to prevent accumulation of melanin, offering a natural and positive approach to skin lightening^*4.

【Cosmedics^*5: Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Unique Focus on Healthy Skin】

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is engaged in R&D, manufacture, and sale of innovative products based on the corporate philosophy of creating new products for better health worldwide.
Established in 1990, the Otsu Skin Care Research Institute has focused on the skin, the largest human organ, accounting for approximately 16% of body weight. Based on the concept of Cosmedics^*5, which emphasizes the importance of healthy skin, research and development maximizing unique ideas and technologies resulted in the launch of innovative InnerSignal and UL•OS skin care brands.

1. 3Disodium adenosine phosphate OT
2. 4Suppresses accumulation of melanin; prevents blemishes and freckles
3. 5Cosmedics: cosmetics + medicine

■Company Profile
Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.