Hands is a leading Japanese general goods store with 9 locations in Tokyo and 93 stores nationwide (as of September 12).

The beauty products section at "Hands Shinjuku Store," the largest in scale and product variety, features a well-equipped tester bar where you can quickly try out the latest products under the concept of "Becoming the You You Want to Be." Additionally, the pop-up space showcases various brands throughout the year, making it a popular spot for Japan's beauty enthusiasts.

This time, we spoke with Maki Takano from the Public Relations Department of Hands Inc. to bring you the top 4 recommended needle cosmetics, handpicked by Hands' skincare buyer.

When you hear "needle cosmetics," you might wonder, "What exactly is a needle?" The term "needle" comes from "microneedling," a cosmetic dermatology procedure. In English, "needle" means "針" in Japanese. Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles to harness the skin's natural wound healing ability, aiming for healthier skin.

During the procedure, the production of collagen and elastin in the skin is stimulated, which can improve wrinkles, sagging, pore size, and overall skin tone and texture.

Recently, more women in Japan and Korea have been opting for this treatment at beauty clinics. The word-of-mouth from those who have undergone microneedling has contributed to its growing reputation for effectiveness.

Amidst this trend, the demand for "at-home" care using the same principles has surged, leading to the creation of numerous needle cosmetics. These include syringe-like sticks with countless microneedles or patch-like sheets with solidified needle-shaped projections containing beauty ingredients, designed to inject these ingredients into the skin.

Unlike treatments at beauty clinics, needle cosmetics are designed to reach only the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the dermis), ensuring safety. This allows for easy and safe at-home care that mimics the effects of microneedling.

Needle cosmetics are expected to gain even more popularity in the future. Find the one that suits you best now!

With that in mind, we asked a buyer at Hands Shinjuku Store, which gathers cutting-edge cosmetics, to pick four recommended needle cosmetics. Be sure to check out their recommended points!

For areas of concern around the eyes and mouth, the injection-type microneedle serum is also recommended. Inspired by medical microneedles, this knock-injection system releases serum from the needle tip when the tail is knocked, directly injecting the serum into the stratum corneum.

After cleansing, place the tip vertically on the concerned area of the skin, knock the container's button 1 to 2 times, and hold for 3 seconds. The microneedles will inject the serum.

According to the buyer, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dryness, leading to smoother skin that enhances your smile. The serum contains Cerament (*1), a cell culture extract derived from eggs, and extract from Euglena sourced from Ishigaki Island, a famous resort in Okinawa, Japan.

*1 [Skin Conditioning Ingredient]: Avian Egg Membrane Cell Cultivation Extract, BG, Pentylene Glycol

This serum by the Korean skincare brand VT, known for igniting the CICA (Centella Asiatica) cosmetic boom, combines CICA (*2) with natural microneedles (*3). By refining the skin's surface and removing unnecessary keratin, it helps to achieve a smooth and finely-textured complexion.

According to the buyer, this product is the top seller among microneedle skincare products at Hands! With the inclusion of beauty needles, it provides spa-level care right at home.

*2 [Skin Conditioning]: Centella Asiatica Extract
*3 [Scrub]: Silica

This luxurious face mask, crafted by a Kyoto-based brand, is infused with human stem cell culture extract (*4), JOIE Spicule (*5), CICA (*6), tea tree (*7), and various other ingredients.

Simply apply the face mask to clean skin after washing your face, leave it on for 10-20 minutes, and then remove it to complete your skincare routine.

The unique natural needles, JOIE Spicule (*5), stimulate and refine the skin, supporting hydration penetration into the stratum corneum. It helps with pore tightening, firmness, radiance, smoothness, moisture, and prevents skin irritation. Enjoy a pleasant tingling sensation and a firm, elastic feel, making your care time truly fulfilling.

*4 [Moisturizing Ingredients]: Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Conditioned Media Extract, Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media
*5 [Firmness]: Hydrolyzed Sponge
*6 [Skin Conditioning]: Centella Asiatica Extract
*7 [Moisture and Oil Balance]: Tea Tree Leaf Oil

This targeted sheet mask is designed for areas of concern around the eyes and mouth. Simply apply and sleep for easy special care. The sheet is densely packed with micro-sized hyaluronic acid (*8) formed into needle-like structures, which deliver six types of serum ingredients (*9) deep into the stratum corneum.

According to the buyer, it provides firmness and moisture to the delicate areas around the eyes and mouth, leading to smooth, hydrated skin. Additionally, it is fragrance-free, paraben-free, ethanol-free, and silicone-free, ensuring safe use.

*8 [Moisturizing Ingredient]: Sodium Hyaluronate
*9 [Moisturizing Ingredients]: Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Conditioned Media Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen / [Skin Conditioning Ingredients]: Placenta Extract, EGF (Human Oligopeptide-1), FGF (Human Polypeptide-11)

We have introduced some recommended needle cosmetics available at Hands Shinjuku Store. It is rare to find a store where multiple needle cosmetics are displayed together, with some available for testing. Take this opportunity to visit Hands Shinjuku Store and try out these needle cosmetics for yourself.