Our product brands and business brands are important touchpoints between Kao and consumers. Each brand has its own brand purpose associated with Kao’s Purpose and works to solve issues faced by each customer and their family, community, and society.
On this page we showcase highlights of our purpose-driven brand activities from January 2022 to May 2023.
Eliminate hygiene concerns in living spaces so everyone has peace of mind at home.
We are engaging in product development not only to allow anyone to effortlessly complete housework, but also to make it easier for senior citizens who feel strained when cleaning baths and for people who have physical disabilities.
Bath Magiclean Air Jet was launched in 2021, making it possible for anyone to easily remove stains by soaking the bath for 30 seconds without scrubbing, using the continuous spray mist that can easily spray an even and light coating of mist-like cleaner, as well as a quick acting dissolving formula. Following this, Kitchen Magiclean Foam Jet was launched in 2022 with long-lasting foam that easily removes everyday kitchen stains in everything from stoves to sinks.
Magiclean continues to strive for hygienic home solutions which anyone can live in with peace of mind, while taking into account the trend toward diverse lifestyles and greater diversity in how housework responsibilities are allocated.
Brighten Your Day with True Cleanliness.
Realize a smile-filled lifestyle, sharing kitchen chores by all family members.
In April 2021, we incorporated bottles*1 using 100% recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) in Attack ZERO laundry detergents and CuCute Dishwashing Foam Spray bottles. By 2025, we will use recycled PET for all of our household and personal care packaging using PET bottles*1 .
To brighten and enrich each people’s life by offering reliable protection and comfort.
Getting your period at the workplace can be a lot of trouble, whether it happens in the middle of a task or before a meeting. It can also be hard to leave during work to buy sanitary napkins. To reduce the stress associated with menstruation as much as possible, we are promoting an initiative to make sanitary napkins a regular amenity in workplace restrooms. We started implementing this project in 2022 at companies which agreed to the initiative. Our goal is to keep promoting this project in order to generate a positive cycle which benefits both workers and companies, and to help create a more supportive and inclusive work environment for all.
Skin is how humans make contact with the world. Our skin connects us with each other, and society.
In Thailand, we launched Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum that protects skin from mosquitoes in daily life with a safe and comfortable feel after use. In addition, we started the #GUARD OUR FUTURE project through a wide-ranging collaboration alongside partners in government, academia and the private sector with an aim to reduce harm from dengue fever. We received delighted feedback from customers in Thailand, and this also became a popular topic in Japan. We will expand the product variations for more diverse usage methods and occasions. We will also collaborate with our partners and respond swiftly to the different regulations in each country to expand our business around areas beyond Thailand.
Bringing excitement and satisfaction to oral care for 36,500 days
The PureOra36500 series, which focuses on preventive care for gums and teeth, was launched in 2023 under the PureOra range. One product in this series is PureOra36500 Medicated Cream Toothpaste with Strong Gum Adhesion, which features a cream-like formula that noticeably sticks to the gums, so you can feel it working. We focused on creating a formula that delivers medicinal ingredients effectively over time. It makes gums stronger with each brushing and helps prevent periodontal disease*3 . This product also features a pump dispenser which allows for easy use until the last drop, with minimal force required, thus eliminating the stress of squeezing out the last bit of product. We have cut waste plastic by 38%*4 using a refillable design with replaceable internal packs.
Solutions Go Above and Beyond.
Making hygiene management an engine for corporate growth
In 2023, we established Kiralia Hygiene Co., Ltd. as a 100% subsidiary of Kao Professional Services Co., Ltd. (KPS), and launched B2B Hygiene Solutions Business. By combining the advanced technologies for assessing and analyzing risk related to contagious diseases made possible through Kao’s pathological bacteria and virus countermeasure research, and integrating these with the professional insight on hygiene management cultivated by KPS, we will develop and roll out new hygiene solutions to support companies and organizations which are fighting contagious diseases.
We will keep environments hygienic by working to provide solutions with even greater expertise that stay close to customers’ individual needs. Our aim is to realize a society in which all people can live to 100 years and enjoy good health and peace of mind.
I HOPE.
Going beyond beauty, KANEBO heightens hope
The KANEBO brand aims to create unique products with messages of hope for the future and bring new insights for overcoming stereotypes and breaking free from despair.
To achieve this vision, we are committed to creating an exciting future where everyone can unleash their potential and express their personality through cosmetics, with activities that support new generations and care for the environment.
In November 2022, we held an art event “PAINT HOPE on WALL: Let’s draw a big smile together!” Its goal was to provide an opportunity for children to encourage to be creative and bring out their individualities. The paint used in this event was made from prototype makeup products that did not make it to market. The event allowed children to freely draw pictures on a wall-to-wall canvas. We hope that the experience helped them discover their potential and develop hope for the future.
Providing comprehensive assistance to improve quality of life for people with dry, sensitive skin
Curél is a brand for dry, sensitive skin. To help people struggling with concerns related to sensitive skin, we provide products for the face, body and scalp that moisturize and protect and replenish the function of “ceramides”. We also carry out activities to raise awareness of effective skin care methods.
Some of our customers may have visual, hearing or limb disabilities. To help, we created seven skin care videos. These barrier-free videos feature illustrations and audio which can be easily understood with the sound off or on.
We hope that these videos help more people to enjoy skin care and spark discourse about barrier-free options in the field.
Evolve into a brand that embraces an authentic and impactful ‘Duty of Care’ for our Brand, our Customers, our People & our Planet
Ever since its establishment in the 1970s, Molton Brown has continually pursued positive luxury. In 2022, it started selling reusable containers as well as “Aroma Reeds & Refills” at online and physical stores in Europe and North America. These refills have the potential to cut the use of disposable plastics by 82%.
From June 2023, we started selling reusable Infinite Bottles for bath and shower gels via our online store. These bottles are made from 100% recycled aluminum*5 that can be recycled again down the line, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by 83%.
Molton Brown will continue to pursue product development to consider the environment and aim to make 50% of its product packaging recyclable and refillable by 2030.