About Suisai
Overview
Suisai is a Japanese skincare brand owned by Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., which operates under the Kao Group. The brand is best known for its enzyme-based facial cleansers, particularly the individually portioned Beauty Clear Powder Wash. Suisai is marketed in Japan and internationally, with a significant presence in Singapore.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Suisai |
| Origin | Japan |
| Owner / Company | Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. |
| Parent Group | Kao Corporation |
| Main Category | Skincare / Facial Cleansing |
| Best Known For | Enzyme facial cleansing powders |
| Signature Line | Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash |
| Key Concept | Enzyme-based cleansing targeting pore impurities, excess sebum, and old keratin |
| Notable Technology | Silk-coating and granulation technology for stabilizing enzymes |
| International Presence | Japan and selected overseas markets, including Singapore |
Brand History
The identity of Suisai is closely linked to Kanebo’s extensive history of enzyme research. The origins trace back to Kanebo’s early days as a textile company. During silk production, researchers encountered protease, an enzyme capable of breaking down proteins. This discovery sparked interest in applying the same principle to skincare and cleansing.
1960s: Enzyme Research
Kanebo began exploring the use of enzymes in cosmetics during the 1960s. In 1963, the company commercialized a rinse-off pack containing protease. Four years later, in 1967, it introduced a powder facial cleanser containing enzymes. The choice of a powder format served a critical technical purpose: enzymes can lose their activity when exposed to moisture and heat, so keeping them in a dry state helped preserve their functionality.
1970s: Granulation Technology
In 1976, Kanebo developed a granulation technique for enzyme cleansing powder. Instead of leaving the enzyme as an extremely fine powder, the material was formed into granules. This process reduced the surface area exposed to air and moisture, becoming a foundational element of the brand’s later enzyme powder cleansers.
1980s: Silk-Coated Enzymes
In 1986, Kanebo developed its proprietary enzyme silk-coating technology. This method allowed individual enzymes to be coated with silk-derived material, protecting them against moisture and heat while stabilizing their activity. This technology aligns with Kanebo’s historical roots in silk manufacturing.
2000s: Modern Powder Format
In 2005, the enzyme cleanser evolved to include two types of enzymes:
- Protease: Targets protein-based materials such as old keratin.
- Lipase: Targets sebum.
Kanebo explains that pore plugs often consist of a mixture of old keratin/protein and sebum, which led to the development of this dual-enzyme approach. The brand also introduced its recognizable individual hexagonal capsules, designed to make the product easier to open with wet hands while preserving the powder and providing a convenient single-use quantity.
Core Philosophy: Addressing “Skin Noise”
The modern Suisai brand focuses on the concept of “skin noise”—visible or tactile concerns associated with pore impurities, excess sebum, and accumulated dead skin cells.
Its flagship product, the Beauty Clear Powder Wash, utilizes a combination of:
- Protease
- Lipase
- Amino-acid-based cleansing ingredients
This combination helps remove old keratin and excess sebum associated with pore impurities, roughness, and dull-looking skin. Notably, the enzymes are formulated as cleansing ingredients rather than being presented merely as trendy active additives.
Flagship Product: Beauty Clear Powder Wash
The product most strongly associated with Suisai is the Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash. It is a powdered facial cleanser packaged in individual portions. Users place one portion in the palm, add water to create a foam, and then wash the face.
The current range has expanded beyond the original formulation to include variants designed for different skin concerns.
Beauty Clear Powder Wash N
The standard version addresses concerns such as pore impurities, rough texture, old keratin, and dull-looking skin. It contains moisturizing ingredients, including ethyl glucoside and sodium hyaluronate.
Black Powder Wash
The Black version is positioned for skin concerned with stickiness, shine, and excess sebum. Its formulation includes charcoal powder and Moroccan lava clay.
Gold Powder Wash
The Gold version is aimed at individuals who want pore cleansing but are concerned about dryness after washing. It incorporates moisturizing “golden” oils, including sunflower seed oil and avocado oil.
Green Powder Wash
The Green version targets skin prone to acne and excess sebum. It features CICA-related moisturizing ingredients and components intended to help remove old keratin and sebum.
Pink Powder Wash
The Pink version is designed for combination skin that may feel dry while becoming shiny. It combines pore cleansing with moisturizing ingredients and a sebum-absorbing powder.
Beyond Powder Cleansers
While powder cleansing remains Suisai’s signature, the brand has expanded its Beauty Clear portfolio. The current product lineup includes:
- Beauty Clear Powder Wash series
- Beauty Clear Paste Wash
- Beauty Clear Fizzy Powder Wash
- Beauty Clear Peeling Powder Wash
- Beauty Clear Black Scrub Wash
- Gold Cleansing Butter
- Melty Hunter Balm
- Refining Toner 2
The international lineup may differ from the Japanese lineup and can change over time.
Beauty Clear Paste Wash
The Beauty Clear Paste Wash represents an evolution of Suisai’s enzyme technology. Unlike the dry powder, this product is a conventional paste cleanser. Kanebo describes a specialized low-temperature, extended kneading process designed to distribute cleansing ingredients, moisturizing ingredients, and silk-coated enzymes evenly throughout the product. This positions the Paste Wash for everyday cleansing, while the powder format remains the distinctive enzyme-focused offering.
Fizzy Powder Wash
Another unique product is the Beauty Clear Fizzy Powder Wash. When water is added, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid react to generate micro-carbonated bubbles. These bubbles help move into pores and target stubborn keratin plugs. The product can also be used as a short foam mask for areas of particular concern.
Technology Behind Suisai
Suisai’s differentiation lies not just in the inclusion of enzymes, but in the decades of work dedicated to keeping enzymes functional until they are used.
1. Silk Coating
Enzymes are sensitive to environmental conditions such as humidity and heat. Kanebo developed a proprietary technique using silk coating to protect individual enzymes.
2. Granulation
The powder is processed into granules, reducing the surface area exposed to air and limiting moisture exposure.
3. Individual Portions
The single-dose capsules provide a controlled amount for each wash and help keep the remaining product protected from repeated exposure to moisture.
These technologies contribute to the long-standing recognizability of Suisai’s powder cleanser.
Positioning in Japanese Beauty
Suisai occupies a specific niche in Japanese skincare. It is not primarily positioned as a luxury anti-aging brand. Instead, it sits closer to functional, accessible skincare, with a strong emphasis on facial cleansing and pore/texture concerns.
The brand’s proposition can be summarized as:
Japanese enzyme technology + practical daily cleansing + pore/texture care.
This makes Suisai particularly recognizable for its enzyme powder wash, rather than for an enormous multi-step skincare system.
Popularity and Awards
The Beauty Clear Powder Wash has received numerous Japanese beauty awards over the years. The official international site lists awards from publications including VOCE, MAQUIA, BAILA, MORE, LDK the Beauty, and BITEKI 3.
The brand states that its Suisai facial-wash series ranked No. 1 by cumulative sales value in Japan’s pore-care facial-wash market during January–December 2025, according to Intage SRI+.
Suisai and Kao in Singapore
Suisai is part of Kanebo Cosmetics, which operates within the broader Kao Group. In Singapore, Suisai is included among Kao Singapore’s brands. Kao’s Singapore product catalogue currently lists several Suisai Beauty Clear products, including the Powder Wash N, Black, Gold, Pink, Green, Fizzy Powder Wash, and Paste Wash 1.
Brand Identity
Suisai’s brand identity is built around four major ideas:
1. Enzyme Expertise
The brand’s strongest point of differentiation is its long history of enzyme facial cleansing.
2. Pore and Texture Care
Rather than concentrating solely on hydration or anti-aging, Suisai places considerable emphasis on pore impurities, excess sebum, old keratin, and rough texture.
3. Japanese Formulation Technology
The silk-coating and granulation technologies demonstrate an emphasis on formulation stability and manufacturing know-how.
4. Accessible Skincare
Suisai generally occupies a more accessible position than high-end Kanebo luxury brands.
Distinctive Features
When comparing Suisai with other Japanese skincare brands, its biggest distinguishing feature is not simply the presence of enzymes, as many modern products contain them. What makes Suisai distinctive is the combination of:
60+ years of enzyme-related research → powder cleanser format → enzyme stabilization → individual-dose packaging → pore/keratin/sebum positioning.
Kanebo’s own history traces the enzyme-cleanser technology back to the 1960s, while the modern Suisai system continues to update the concept with new formats and formulations.
Current Status
As of 2026, Suisai remains an active Kanebo skincare brand. Its international site currently highlights Beauty Clear Powder Wash, Paste Wash, Fizzy Powder Wash, Black Scrub Wash, Gold Cleansing Butter, Melty Hunter Balm, and Refining Toner, while noting that product availability can vary by market. Some older products have been discontinued; for example, the international Suisai site notes the discontinuation of Beauty Clear Micro Wash in September 2025 and several other products in December 2025.
