Melano CC (メラノCC) is a Japanese skincare brand owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The brand is recognized for offering affordable, vitamin-C-focused skincare products designed to address common concerns such as blemishes, acne marks, uneven-looking skin tone, freckles, and pores. Originating in Japan, the brand has gained significant visibility across Asian skincare markets. 1

The brand’s name combines “Melano,” referring to melanin-related skin concerns, and “CC,” associated with its vitamin-C-centered concept. While its positioning in Japan focuses heavily on preventing the appearance of blemishes and freckles by suppressing melanin production, its broader product portfolio also addresses acne, pore care, roughness, and skin hydration. 2

Rather than positioning itself as luxury or prestige skincare, Melano CC emphasizes functional ingredients, simple routines, accessibility, and everyday use. It sits within the category of Japanese drugstore skincare, bridging functional and active-ingredient skincare without the complexity of traditional high-end cosmetics.

2005: Launch

Melano CC traces its origins to 2005, when Rohto launched a product called Mentholatum Melano Buster. Rohto’s corporate history identifies this serum as the predecessor to today’s MELANO CC line. The initial concept was built around vitamin C research and skincare, specifically targeting visible pigmentation and other common skin issues. Since its launch, the brand has evolved from a single serum concept into a comprehensive skincare system.

2022: Expansion into Cleansing

A notable expansion occurred with the introduction of the Melano CC Deep Clear Enzyme Facial Wash. This product combined vitamin C with enzymes, strengthening the brand’s focus on pore care. Rohto reported that the facial wash became a major commercial success, exceeding ¥2 billion in sales within ten months of its launch. 3

2025: 20th Anniversary

In 2025, Melano CC celebrated its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Rohto refreshed the brand’s visual identity and reformulated its flagship lotion. According to cited market data, Melano CC’s lotion achieved the highest sales volume in the Japanese lotion market for two consecutive years.

2026: Introduction of Melano CC+

In January 2026, Rohto introduced MELANO CC+, a higher-value-added extension of the brand. The first product in this line, MELANO CC+ AZmask, combines pure vitamin C and pure azelaic acid. It targets specific concerns including enlarged pores, blackheads, and rough skin. This launch represents a strategic evolution from a straightforward “vitamin C + brightening” proposition toward a broader ingredient-combination and pore-care strategy. 4

The central philosophy of Melano CC is to make vitamin-C-centered skincare practical enough for everyday use. Rohto describes the brand as being based on an approach of taking skincare seriously while pursuing technological innovation.

This positioning places the brand between Japanese drugstore skincare and active-ingredient skincare, making it particularly recognizable among consumers interested in ingredient-focused Asian skincare. Unlike brands that rely on elaborate multi-step systems, Melano CC developed through a small, affordable, highly targeted vitamin-C product before expanding outward. 5

Vitamin C is the defining ingredient behind Melano CC. The range includes products containing pure ascorbic acid, various vitamin-C derivatives, and other vitamin-C-related ingredients.

The brand utilizes vitamin C primarily for:

• Melanin/spot prevention
• Brighter-looking skin
• Acne-mark care
• Pore care
• Antioxidant-oriented skincare
• Overall skin conditioning

It is important to note that in the context of Japanese regulatory standards, terms such as whitening or brightening used by Melano CC refer to suppressing melanin production and preventing spots/freckles, rather than literally bleaching the skin. Rohto explicitly defines its claims in this manner.

Melano CC has developed into a complete skincare routine ecosystem. The current lineup includes several key categories:

Cleansers

The Deep Clear Enzyme Face Wash combines enzymes and vitamin C, positioned for daily cleansing and pore care.

Lotions / Toners

Medicated lotions are designed for hydration and blemish/spot prevention. The newer lotion introduced in 2025 supports the delivery of brightening active ingredients while providing hydration.

Serums / Essences

This is the most iconic category associated with the brand. The medicated spot-treatment essence is built around a vitamin-C-focused formulation intended for targeted care of blemish-prone areas.

Gels, Creams and Emulsions

Moisturizing products are designed to complement the active-treatment items, allowing consumers to build a routine within the same brand family.

Masks

The range includes sheet masks and intensive-care masks, with newer products aimed at post-sun-exposure hydration and pore concerns.

Sunscreen / UV Care

The Japanese lineup features Deep Day Care UV Milk, which combines UV protection with vitamin-C-related skincare positioning. It is listed with SPF50+ / PA++++ and UV-water-resistance specifications.

Supplements

The portfolio also includes sustained-release vitamin C tablets, extending the vitamin-C concept beyond topical application.

Internationally, “Melano CC” often refers specifically to the vitamin C essence. This product offers a straightforward proposition: Vitamin C → targeted skincare → dark-spot/acne-mark concerns.

The standard Melano CC Essence is the mainstream hero product, while the Melano CC Premium Brightening Essence is a more advanced version within the same family. These products are distinct and should not be treated as identical. In markets such as Vietnam, both products are listed separately in the official imported Japanese lineup.

Melano CC is suited to consumers seeking ingredient-focused skincare, particularly those looking for help with acne marks, uneven tone, and pores. The brand appeals to those who prefer affordable Japanese skincare with relatively uncomplicated routines available through drugstores or pharmacies.

Additionally, the brand has developed Melano CC Men, a separate line targeting men’s skincare concerns, including blemishes and pores, with a focus on oilier skin types.

Melano CC is not an independent entity but a brand within Rohto Pharmaceutical’s broader health-and-beauty portfolio. Rohto, founded in 1899, has a significantly longer history than the Melano CC brand. The parent company’s portfolio also includes other well-known brands such as Hada Labo, Skin Aqua, and Obagi. 5

This relationship allows Melano CC to benefit from Rohto’s long-standing pharmaceutical and formulation research capabilities. The structure can be viewed as:

Rohto Pharmaceutical → Rohto / Mentholatum skincare portfolio → Melano CC → Vitamin-C-centered skincare

While originating in Japan, Melano CC has established presence in other Asian markets. For example, in Vietnam, the brand is officially represented by Rohto-Mentholatum (Vietnam), which lists Japanese-import products such as the Deep Clear Enzyme Face Wash, Premium Brightening Essence, and various lotions on its official website.

Consumers in these regions are advised to check official local distributor information, as differences may exist in packaging, formulation, labeling, or product names between Japanese domestic products, imported goods, and products intended for other specific Asian markets.

The visual identity of Melano CC is characterized by a yellow/orange color palette, visually connecting the brand with concepts of vitamin C, citrus, brightness, energy, and freshness. The aesthetic is deliberately pharmaceutical/drugstore functional rather than luxurious, consistent with Rohto’s heritage. The design communicates that the product is a functional treatment rather than an exclusive beauty object.

As of 2026, the Melano CC ecosystem is structured into three main pillars:

MELANO CC

• Core vitamin-C skincare
• Brightening / spot-prevention
• Acne-mark and pore care
• Includes cleansers, lotions, essences, gels, masks, and UV care

MELANO CC Men

• Men’s-oriented version
• Focus on blemish and pore care
• Positioning for oilier skin types

MELANO CC+

• Higher-value-added extension
• Combines vitamin C with additional active ingredients
• First major focus: pores and roughness
• Launch product: Vitamin C + azelaic acid mask

Melano CC is a Japanese functional skincare brand owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical, launched in 2005 from the original Mentholatum Melano Buster serum. Built around Rohto’s research into vitamin C, the brand focuses on everyday care for blemishes, acne marks, uneven-looking skin tone, freckles, and pores. Its signature product category is the vitamin-C essence, but the brand has since expanded into cleansers, lotions, moisturizers, masks, UV products, men’s skincare, and supplements. After celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Melano CC entered a new phase in 2026 with the Melano CC+ line, which combines vitamin C with complementary active ingredients such as azelaic acid. Its defining market position remains affordable, accessible, ingredient-focused Japanese skincare centered on vitamin C.

1. メラノCC
2. Melano CC
3. New lotion launched from “MELANO CC,” the No. 1 selling lotion in the lotion market for two consecutive years
4. The “MELANO CC ®+” series is born. New “MELANO CC + AZmask” with pure vitamin C and pure azelaic acid is now available…
5. Sở hữu 4 bước dưỡng da chuẩn Nhật với bộ sản phẩm Melano CC