Andy Devaney
Once upon a time, the mere mention of a “hydrator” would have had me reaching for a pint, not a pipette. But here we are. A man of a certain age—yes, a so-called ‘boomer’, which I suppose now translates to “suspicious of oat milk and not entirely sold on TikTok”—finding himself grimacing at the mirror, cheeks inflamed, red as a missed tap-in on Sunday.
And what’s the culprit? Stress? Weather? Dermatitis? Midlife crisis in dermal form? Who knows. But after weeks of dodging every product that made me smell like a botanical gin and tonic, I decided to give the much-lauded Hada Labo Tokyo skincare range a proper run.
Now, before you run for cover at the word “skincare”, this isn’t a tale of cucumber slices and scented candles. It’s about dry, angry skin and what happens when you quit pretending your face will fix itself. It won’t. Especially not when your cheeks look like they’ve been sandpapered by a Scottish wind.
Hydration Without the Fuss
Hada Labo Tokyo skincare is the number one skincare brand in Japan, and if there’s a nation that knows about precision, layering, and doing things right—it’s Japan. These folks aren’t playing around. They’ve packed their serums, lotions, and creams with a small army of hyaluronic acids—some of which sound like they’d require a chemistry degree and a laboratory license to pronounce.
At the core of this Japanese marvel is one thing: hydration. Deep, proper, multi-layered hydration. The kind that makes your skin drink like it just staggered out of the desert. According to GP and skin specialist Dr Nisa Aslam, “A consistent, daily routine using the right ingredients can make the world of difference to skin, no matter your age or skin type.”
And that, my friends, includes crusty old men like me.
The Routine That Doesn’t Feel Like a Chore
Let’s talk brass tacks. You start with the Gentle Hydrating Cleanser—no fragrance, no frills, just three types of hyaluronic acid to clean without stripping. Think of it like a solid warm-up on the range. No trick shots, just honest prep.
Then, in comes the Super Hydrator Lotion from the Red Line. Four types of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and a cheeky bit of retinol. It goes on like water, absorbs like truth, and doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve just greased up for a bodybuilding competition.
Next, the Eye & Mouth Cream—I didn’t think I needed one, until I realised my crow’s feet had started to unionise. Subtle but effective, this golden cream calms down the battle zones without making you look like you’ve gone 12 rounds with a concealer stick.
Finally, if you’re not hiding from the sun like a nocturnal mole, slap on the SPF 50 Moisturising Sunscreen. It’s light, non-greasy, and crucial—especially if you’ve ever played 18 holes without a cap and looked like a steamed lobster afterwards.
At night? Enter the Extreme Skin Regenerator Night Super-Cream. Yes, the name’s a bit superhero-esque, but so is the formula. Seven types of hyaluronic acid? It’s like giving your face a pint of Guinness, a hot bath, and a motivational speech all in one go.
But Does It Work?
After two weeks, the angry red cheek flare-up has taken a back seat. The tight, dry patches that used to catch on my pillowcase have softened. I’m not saying I’m glowing like a K-drama star, but I no longer look like I’ve been slapped by a winter gale.
And let’s not ignore the bigger picture. According to Hada Labo Tokyo’s research, 87% of people (originally this was about women, but let’s not get picky—skin is skin) say that poor skin affects their mental well-being. Makes sense. If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, it throws your whole day off.
What’s In This Wizardry?
- Hyaluronic Acid – Not just one, but seven types in some products. The secret weapon for hydration.
- Collagen – Keeps things firm and less saggy.
- Retinol – The OG anti-ageing champ.
- Panthenol – A vitamin that traps moisture and restores the skin barrier.
- Nano-this, crosspolymer-that – Sounds scary, works wonders.
The Verdict
Is Hada Labo Tokyo skincare just for women? Absolutely not. Skin doesn’t care if you’re a bloke who spent decades ignoring it while rubbing whisky on your chin post-shave.
Whether you’ve got sun damage from years on the course, stress-induced inflammation from trying to understand your gas bill, or you’re just finally ready to admit that a splash of cold water isn’t enough anymore—this stuff’s worth a go.
And if anyone gives you grief for moisturising? Tell them your cheeks were angrier than Tyrrell Hatton in a bunker, and you chose peace. Hydrated, non-flaky peace.
